Matzah Message

By Dani’el Rendelman
www.emetministries.com

A blind man is sitting on a park bench. A rabbi sits down next to him.

The rabbi is eating a piece of matzah.

Taking pity on the blind man, he opens his box of Matzah and gives a piece to the blind man.

Several minutes later, the blind man turns taps the rabbi on the shoulder and asks,

``Who wrote this junk? I can’t read it''

Matzah! Ahh, this flat, crispy bread, has been a main part of our diet lately, as we have strived to keep the Feasts of YHWH. Yet, eating these dry squares for a week makes us beg the question of ‘why should we be doing this anyway? How can eating flat bread affect us spiritually? What difference does it really make if we eat big fat yeast rolls or unleavened bread? As we approach the end of the Passover season and the end of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, lets consider how these holy days and our actions of obedience have affected our lives.

The Biblical holy days of Passover, Firstfruits, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread come along every year at this time. The new life of Spring is busting forth and we deep clean our homes in preparation for the moadim (appointed times) of YHWH. The Rabbis have called these days “zeman heirtuneinu”, our “season of liberation.”

Our History

It is during these weeks that we recall the agricultural and historical events of our past. We commemorate and celebrate YHWH’s power and the freedom of His people. Keeping Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is to literally commemorate the protection from the blood of the Lamb with a festive meal called a “seder.” To remember the exodus, we are to keep Chag HaMotzot, or the feast of Unleavened Bread. Though it overlaps with Passover, this is actually a separate celebration that lasts for seven days. These feasts are different, and have different laws, yet together they tell the story of our people and their release from bondage.

Thousands of years ago our ancestors were enslaved to the evil taskmaster Pharaoh in Egypt. Elohim sent forth a redeemer who cried the desires of YHWH’s own heart, to “let my people go.” The purpose of the Exodus was freedom for YHWH’s people. His judgment upon Egypt poured down from the heavens as water turned to blood, infestations of frogs and swarms of lice descended, and death came to the firstborn of every home not protected by the dom (blood) of a lamb. After ten horrible plagues that showed forth the power of Elohim, the Hebrews were finally released from bondage. The Hebrews were told to leave Mitzrayim (Egypt) quickly, to not even allow their bread time to rise. And so they began their journey towards the Promised Land and their history as a unified nation.

It is every year at this time that we are to remember the redemption and the liberation of our people. We do this by following the commandments, or mitzvot, of the Scriptures that pertain to the feasts of YHWH. Within the Bible we are told, "Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt. "No one is to appear before me empty-handed,” -- Shemot / Exodus 23: 13, 14.

Concerning these issues, the scriptures teach that we are to:

- Celebrate Passover, Exodus 23: 14

- Remove leaven from our homes, Exodus 12: 15

- Remove yeast totally from our homes on the day before Passover, Exodus 12: 15

- Rest on the first and seventh days of Unleavened Bread, Exodus 12: 16

- Eat Matzah, or unleavened bread, on the first nite of Passover, Exodus 12: 18

- Not allow leaven is to be found in our possession, Exodus 12: 19

- Eat no food with leaven for seven days, Exodus 13: 3

- Eat not leaven or leavening agents during the feast, Exodus 13: 8

Some Scripture

“ And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to YHWH throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread,” -- Shemot / Exodus, chapter 12

“And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strong hand of YHWH LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which YHWH did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt,” -- Shemot / Exodus, chapter 13:7-8

To fully grasp the significance and meaning of these special days we are commanded by YHWH to take certain actions. We are to make a big deal about what is found in our kitchen cabinets and what foods we eat. We are to fast leavened products and eat bread not made with yeast. These simple physical events have the ability to alter our spiritual lives.

YHWH has ordered us in His word to do physical measures to bring about remembrance. To keep the Chag HaMotzi, the Feast of Unleavened bread, we are to remove any thing from our belonging that has yeast or leaven in it. These items are called “chametz” in Hebrew. We are also to not eat foods that have gone through the rising or leavening process, called “se’or” in Hebrew. Doing such reminds us of the exodus, and how our lives are to be free of pride, ego, and sinful actions. Through taking these physical actions we are affecting the spiritual realm. The Rabbis say that, “In every generation, each person must feel as if he personally had come out of Mitzrayim (Egypt), as the Torah says: ‘You should tell your child on that day, 'When I left Mitzrayim, Yahweh did miracles for me.’” Through following the mitzvot we can put ourselves in the shoes of those who have gone before.

In essence, we are to actually pretend that we are the ones being freed from bondage and slavery. We are to clean our home of leavened foods, or “chametz”, just as our forefathers did. We are to leave leaven behind. We are to participate in the actions of our ancestors. Through ridding our home of leaven and having a memorial dinner, we can actively reflect upon YHWH’s power and bring about a spiritual powerful point – the physical mirrors the spiritual.

Reach out and touch someone

What exactly are we to do during the feast of unleavened bread? How are we to spring clean our lives for the Most High? What does all this talk of leaven, sin, and redemption really mean? Let’s look behind the scenes and find some startling answers.

First, let’s consider that these feasts are a time to cleanse and purge the soul. Judaism teaches there are two types of spiritual dynamics. It speaks of itaruta de-leylah and an itaruta de-letata, ‘an awakening from above,’ and ‘an awakening from below.’ When we are awakened from above, YHWH initiates a movement, miracle, or moment in which we can see the hand of YHWH. An awakening from below, a itaruta de-letata, is when we reach towards the Shamayim (heavens) and reach out to YHWH.

Chag HaMotzot is a mixture of the two. It is when we can clearly see the hand of YHWH removing us from bondage, and we respond by allowing the Divine light to penetrate our souls and remove any trace of sin, symbolized by leaven. In the physical we eat unleavened bread, which greatly affects the spiritual realm. We must realize that during these days, YHWH is moving upon mankind urging us to become open vessels to receive from Him. It is at this time Yahshua gave His blood for us, and therefore we should accept life and blessing from Him. This is the season for taking a personal inventory of our life, accepting the fact that we do sin, and remove perversion from our being. We are to eat of the unleavened bread and stay away from yeast.

Unleavened Bread

Matzah is the name of the unleavened bread eaten by our ancestors as they fled Egypt. It is usually flat, square, very crispy, and is more like a cracker than a loaf. Unlike sandwich or other types of bread, Matzah does not have yeast and therefore is not fluffy or puffed up. It is a pure food that reminds of the exodus. Eating Matzah is a sign of our connection to YHWH. “Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. On that day tell your son, 'I do this because of what YHWH did for me when I came out of Egypt.' This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of YHWH is to be on your lips. For YHWH brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year,” Exodus –

Shemot 3: 7-10, NIV.

Speaking of Matzah, the story is told of a Jewish man named Bernie who is one of the finest aeronautical engineer in all the land and starts his own company.

His company is such a hit that the President of the United States calls Bernie into his office. "Bernie," says the president, "we want to commission your company to build an advanced jet fighter for the United States Air Force. Go out and design the best jet fighter ever made."

Bernie is tremendously excited. The entire resources of his company go into building the most advanced jet fighter in history. But at the first test flight, disaster strikes: The wings can't take the strain and they break clean off of the fuselage! Bernie's company redesigns the jet, but again the wings break off exactly in a straight line. They try a third time, but the same thing happens.

Beside himself with worry, Bernie goes to the synagogue to pray. The rabbi sees Bernie and asks what's the matter. Bernie pours his heart out to the rabbi.

After hearing the problem, the rabbi put his arm on Bernie's shoulder and says, "I can solve your problem. Just drill a row of holes directly above and below where the wing meets the fuselage. If you do this I guarantee the wings won't fall off."

Bernie just smiles and thanks the rabbi for his simple advice. But the more he thinks about it, the more he realizes he has nothing to lose. So, Bernie does exactly as the rabbi said. On the next design of the jet, they drill a row of holes directly above and below where the wings meet the fuselage. And the test flight goes perfectly! The wings don't fall off!

Brimming with joy, Bernie goes to the synagogue to tell the rabbi that his advice worked.

"Naturally," says the rabbi.

"But Rabbi, how did you know that drilling the holes would prevent the wings from falling off?"

"Bernie," the rabbi says, "I'm an old man. I've celebrated Passover many, many times. And in all those years, not once - not once! - has the Matzah ever broken in a straight line!"

In Hebrew, Matzah literally means “sweetness.” Strong’s Exhaustive Dictionary states that it is, “sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast); spec. an unfermented cake or loaf, --unleavened (bread, cake), without leaven.” Matzah is a picture of Messiah, the true “bread from Heaven,” who walked in total purity and never sinned. “Yahshua said to them, I am the lechem of chayim (bread of life): he that comes to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst” -- Yochannan / John 8: 35. Also consider the Words of Messiah as He offered unleavened bread during His own Pesach Memorial Seder, “This is my body which is given for you: This do in remembrance of me,”

-- Lukas / Luke 22:19.

The idea of pure bread symbolizing Moschiach is magnified as we consider that the words Matzah and mitzvot (commandments) are synomous. In fact, the Hebrew letters used to spell Matzah and mitzvot are exactly the same! “The Hebrew word “mem, tzahdee, waw, taw” can either be read matzoth – which is the plural of Matzah with no vowel points, or it can be read mitzvoth – the commandments, the Torah. We can see by the word that Matzah in the plural – the mitzvoth – is symbolic of the pure, unadulterated teaching, the unleavened teaching of Torah as given by YHWH”, wrote Rabbi Ed Nydle. Messiah is the “word/Torah made flesh,” therefore as the “bread of life,” Yahshua is the Matzah of the Torah!

Also consider that the Sages of Judaism teach in the Talmud ‘mitzvah she’haba’ah leyadcha al tachmitzena’, that, “when a mitzvah comes your way, do not all it to ferment.” Or in other words, when we have the opportunity to do tov (good) then we should do so quickly.

Matzah is basically a combination of wheat and water that is baked within 18 minutes of mixing. The Rabbis teach us that after eighteen minutes a chemical change of fermentation begins to take place within this mix. “This leavening occurs naturally as yeast bacteria, found in the air, invades the dough, multiplies by the millions, and then feeds on the sugar molecules in flour. As the yeast microorganisms multiply by the billions, they release the carbon dioxide gas that sours the dough, causing it to rise and become airy and light,” says the book “Living Beyond Time.” A short time is all that it takes for flour water to chemically sour and change the pure mixture. It doesn’t take a yeast packet to make bread rise; it actually takes time. Time is the element that causes bread to ferment. Think about it, when mother makes bread, she mixes the ingredients, shapes the dough, and then allows the bread time to rise.

This is just one reason why the Yisraelites were commanded to leave Egypt in a hurry. They were not to allow their bread time to rise! “And the people took their dough before it was chametz, their kneading bowls being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Yisrael did according to the word of Moshe; and they asked of the Mitzrim jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and garments: And YHWH gave the people favor in the sight of the Mitzrim, so that they gave to them such things as they required. And they plundered the Mitzrim” -- Shemot / Exodus 12: 34-36

The Yisraelites weren’t to think about it or way the pros and cons. They were to seize the moment and get out quickly; even on the very day of their liberation. “And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance forever,” -- Shemot / Exodus 12: 17

Frankly, the only way to stop the natural chemical change of fermentation from unleavened bread to leavened bread is to bake the bread, to apply heat. Heat produced by fire stops the fermentation process. Baking flour and water before the eighteen-minute time limit produces unleavened bread. Interestingly, the number eighteen is associated with the Hebrew word “Chai”, which means “life.” The life of the pure Matzah is saved as it is cooked within 18 minutes. Heat, applied at the right time, is what makes the difference between Matzah and chametz. The book of Ivrim (Hebrews) says, “Our Elohim is an all consuming fire.”

Spiritually we can see that our lives are like Matzah. We are the flour, the dust of the earth, mixed with the Water of the spirit. We should allow the fire of the Burning Bush to burn out the impurities of pride and sin at the proper times. We are to not allow our life to be soured by rebellion and ego.

Chametz & Se’or

Leavened bread and unleavened bread are made of identical ingredients: just flour and water. Yet we are commanded to eat one and not the other. The difference is that with leavened bread, fire or heat has not been applied to mixture within 18 minutes. Chametz is the opposite of Matzah; it is bread or food items contaminated with leavening agents. This word is from the root Hebrew term “chametz” which means to “become sour or corrupted.”

An example of Chametz, is those delicious big fat yeast rolls served at steak house restaurants. Chametz items are fluffy and puffed up from the process of fermentation that has taken place. Think of sandwich or garlic bread and there’s a picture of chametz. During the days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, “There be no chametz found in your batiym (home): for whoever eats that which is chametz, even that being shall be cut off from the congregation of Yisrael, whether he be a ger (foreigner), or born in the land. You shall eat nothing with chametz; in all your dwellings shall you eat Matzah,” -- Shemot / Exodus 12: 19-20

Again chametz is the opposite of Matzah, so if Matzah symbolizes Moschiach and the mitzvot, then chametz must represent the ego and sin. “Clean out therefore the old chametz, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Moshiach our Pesach was sacrificed for us: 8 So then let us keep the moed, not with old chametz, neither with the chametz of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened Matzah of sincerity and emet,”-- 1 Corinthians 5: 7-8.

“The rabbis teach us that the word ‘leaven’ means corruption, anything that brings corruption. They define it as the "yetzer hara", the evil inclination within man that causes leavening in them,” wrote Rabbi Nydle. The yetzer hara, also known as the flesh, is within every human being. It is a desire to satisfy self that sours our life and leads to our spiritual corruption. Chametz is the fleshly cravings within each of us that must be denied. “Those who live according to the sinful nature (or yetzer hara) have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to Elohim. It does not submit to Yahweh’s Torah, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature (yetzer hara) cannot please Yahweh,” Romans 8:5-7.

Chametz comes about from “se’or” the process of fermentation. Se’or is Hebrew for the actual leavening agent and progression that takes place as food is fermented. Both leavened items and se’or, the cause of rising, are forbidden during the feast of Unleavened Bread.

Chametz and se’or are code word s for selfishness, pride, and ego. Chametz is former Matzah that has become puffed up by sin. “Then Yahshua said to them, Take heed and beware of the chametz of the Prushim and of the Tzadukim…Then they understood how that He commanded them not to beware of the chametz of lechem, but of the (added) teachings and behavior of the Prushim and of the Tzadukim,” -- Mattitiyahu / Matthew 16: 6 &13, Restoration Scriptures Translation. We are also told in the Messianic Writings that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up,” 1 Corinthians 8: 1. While Matzah is pure obedience to Torah, chametz is a picture of Torah observance that has been corrupted or even halted for knowledge. Knowledge may lead to pride while knowledge coupled with humble obedience will result in righteousness. Just knowing what the Scriptures teach is not enough, we have to be doers of the word! "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright-- but the righteous will live by his faith,” -- Habakkuk 2: 4.

In Hebrew each letter has been assigned a numerical value. Through examining these letter/numbers, the art of Gematria, much can be learned about the relationship of various terms and the phrases’ deeper meanings. It is fascinating that the number value of chametz (138) added to the value of se’or (501) equals 639, the same value of Eitz Hada’at – the Tree of Knowledge. This teaches us that eating or processing leavened items during Pesach (or giving in the sinful nature) is equal to the original sin of Adam, of eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. However, when we eat Matzah (or act on the mitzvot) it is as if we are eating from the Tree of Life, the bread of life! Everyday, as we choose to obey the mitzvot in love, we are choosing Tree of Life over the Tree of Knowledge!

Finally let’s step back and consider what has happened to us during these days of Pesach. We have removed the leaven from our homes, refrained for eating chametz, kept a memorial dinner, and eaten unleavened bread for a week. These physical actions, as insignificant as they may seem, have primed our spiritual lives to receive cleansing from above. We have purged our bodies of leaven and in doing so we have purged our souls of sinful actions and negative thoughts. Doing so, we can experience the true purpose of Pesach, which is freedom. YHWH has granted us freedom from the evil Pharaoh of self, freedom from bondage to Egypt and sin, and freedom to worship him in spirit and in truth, emet. This freedom is not just a physical release from slavery, but also a spiritual release to worship or serve the Elohim of Heaven. This was the purpose of the exodus anyway, “Then YHWH said to Moshe, Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, This says YHWH Elohim of the Ivrim, Let My people go, that they may serve Me,” -- Shemot / Exodus 9: 1.

Freedom in Hebrew is the word “cherut” – chet, resh, vav, tav. Biblical freedom is not the power to be in full control to follow our every desire. Cherut instead is the ability to do what YHWH wants and desires. We are free from our former masters of sin and self, yet we are still slaves or servants to YHWH. “But now being made free from sin, having become avadim (slaves) to YHWH, you have your fruit to set-apartness, with the end result being everlasting chayim,” -- Romiyah / Romans 6: 22.

Freedom, Cherut in Hebrew has the numerical value of 614. This is the same value as three combined words that describe our relationship with Elohim – chochmah (wisdom), binah (knowledge), and da’at (understanding). “May YHWH fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” Colossians 1:9.

Also, to experience true Cherut we must live within the essence of Torah, within the realm of chochmah, binah, and da’at. Spiritual freedom, 614, is found when we add ourselves (1) to the 613 mitzvot of the Torah! “It is for freedom that Messiah has set us free,” says the book of Galatians. Truly, we can experience the spiritual and physical exodus as we leave the chametz behind and connect ourselves to the Torah. As we add ourselves to the 613 mitzvot/Matzah we can tap into the freedom that Yahshua has brought us. Selah.

“This will be a day for you to remember and celebrate the festival to Yahweh from generations to generations you are to celebrate it by a perpetual regulation. When your children ask you, 'What do you mean by this ceremony?' say, 'it is the sacrifice of Yahweh’s Pesach because Yahweh passed over the house of Yisra’el in Egypt, when He killed the Egyptians, but spared our houses', The people of Yisra’el bowed their heads and worshipped,”

-- Exodus 12: 14, 26, 27.

“Get rid of the old chametz (leaven) so that you can be a new batch of dough, because in reality you are unleavened. For our Pesach lamb, the Messiah has been sacrificed. So let us celebrate the seder not with leftover chametz the chametz of wickedness and evil, but with the Matzah of purity and truth.”

-- 1 Corinthians 5: 7, 8.

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