Passover is a holiday full of ancient practices and traditions. One of the more well-known symbols of Passover is matzo. During the week of Passover, Jewish people are expected to eat this cracker-like bread substitute in place of regular bread and similar products (known as chametz). But many people don't know why this practice is a part of Passover. This guide will explain the reason why regular bread is forbidden to be eaten on Passover.
A Little History
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The Hebrew word chametz is used to describe bread, grains, and other leavened products, which aren't supposed to be eaten during Passover. Aside from the flour used to make matzo, all grains and grain products are forbidden. The reason for the ban on these otherwise harmless foods is due to the biblical account of Moses leading the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. As they were on the run, the slaves didn't have enough time to let their dough rise before baking. Thus, unleavened bread is eaten to pay tribute to this event.
Getting Rid of ChametzBut the rules don't just say you can't eat leavened bread; you also can't have any such food in your home. It is customary to get rid of any chametz in the days leading up to the holiday. In fact, even the smallest bread crumb needs to be found. Traditionally, the search for chametz entails lighting a candle to look into corners and using a feather to sweep the crumbs onto a wooden spoon. Whether the chametz is collected this way or with a more modern vacuum, the chametz will have to be removed from the home. There are several ways to rid the home of these items:
- Burning - On the morning of the first day of Passover, all of the bread products are ceremoniously burned.
- Selling - For people with a large quantity of chametz, selling their food to another party is a good option. In some cases, the seller can buy back their goods once the holiday is over.
- Nullifying - Those who don't want to do the full-scale search for chametz can say a particular prayer which will nullify any bread or bread products that remain behind.
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During Passover, matzo takes the place of these bread products. Matzo can be bought broken up into little pieces, which can be used in place of pasta. Matzo meal, which is matzo that has been ground up into a fine powder, is used to make dumpling-like matzo balls. Matzo meal can also be used as flour to make various Passover desserts.
Once Passover ends, regular bread and associated items can be eaten regularly again. Though the rule against eating chametz only lasts a week, it can be hard not eating any bread products. At the same time, this gives people a way of remembering the hardships that their ancestors went through as slaves and their courageous escape to the Promised Land.