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What is the spiritual difference between Chametz and Matzah?

by Rabbi Yossi Jacobson

  

Library » Holidays » Passover » Matzah | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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Chametz (leaven) dough that has risen symbolizes inflated ego and arrogance, while Matzah that keeps a low profile, represents humility and suspension of the self, becoming a conduit for a higher flow of Divine light.

We ask: "All other nights we eat chametz (leaven) or matzah. Tonight we eat only matzah."

On other nights, we vacillate between chametz and matzah, between attachment to our egos vs. our moments of self-transcendence. We may invite G-d into our lives, but only up to a certain point. This dichotomy between chametz and matzah traps us into our narrow and limited character and hinders us from genuine liberation.

Passover's matzah regimen helps us let go of our egos, allowing G-d to fill our whole consciousness.


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RELATED CATEGORIES

Holidays » Passover » Seder » The Matzah
Chametz
Any leavened product which is produced from wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oats. This includes bread, cake, cereals, crackers, biscuits, yeast, pasta and whisky. It is forbidden for a Jew to possess or consume Chametz throughout Passover.
Matzah
(pl. Matzot). Unleavened bread which is eaten on Passover, especially at the Passover Seder (feast), commemorating the Matzah which the Jews ate upon leaving Egypt. It consists of only flour and water and resembles a wheat cracker.
Passover
A Biblically mandated early-spring festival celebrating the Jewish exodus from Egypt in the year 1312 BCE.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.