Time to think about Passover and Matzah!

     Passover is a holiday that is celebrated for eight days, commemorating the emancipation of the Israelites from being slaves in Egypt. During those eight days, Matzah is eaten. Matzah is unleavened bread. In order to follow the rules of Passover, there is no Hametz eaten. Hametz is any bread, or grain that has been leavened.

     Passover’s laws regarding Hametz are more specific and strict than most other kashrut laws of the year. This is because Hametz and Matzah are more than specific dietary requirements for the week of Passover. They represent the very essence of spiritual slavery and redemption. Both are made from the same materials: wheat, barley, spelt, oat or rye grains combined with water. The difference between that which is REQUIRED on Passover — the eating of Matzah — and that which is strictly FORBIDDEN — eating, benefitting from, or even seeing Hametz in your home — is all a matter of degree. Matzah is the humble bread of those who stand guard against their own arrogance. When we allow ourselves to become filled with our own sense of superiority over others, we tend to find that our haughtiness is our own undoing. The Hametz which is removed from our homes prior to Passover is a symbol of our own struggle to achieve spiritual mastery over the human tendency toward arrogance. When we free ourselves of this “spiritual hametz” we become truly free, capable of mastering the Pharaoh within.

     Another part of Passover, is the seder. It is very important to take part in a seder on the first two nights of Passover. Seder, means order, which is what these dinners are all about. There are certain times to eat, drink, and a book, called a haggadah, which will be read. On March 31st, here at Congregation Beth El, we will have a dinner for the Eighth Night of Passover. If you are interested in attending, please call the office at 203-838-2710.