THE CABALA OF CHAMETZ

Chametz is the antithesis of matzah, the unleavened bread eaten on Passover to recall the haste in which the Jewish People left Egypt, and the humble faith by which redemption is merited.

In the Hebrew language the difference between Chametz and matzah are two letters that look similar to a house – two sides and a roof; the Hey of matzah has a little window at the top whereas the Chet in Chametz has no window – one is full of air while the other is empty.

The air pumps up the flour to become bread but the matzah is flat without air; the matzah is baked from beginning to end within 18 minutes – before the natural yeast becomes active. Bread is more substantial than matzah, but for one week a year only matzah is eaten.

The Cabala explains, Bread signifies ego while matzah represents humility; but, before the matza can be consumed first the Chametz must be destroyed by fire. On the day before Passover the house is checked with a candle to insure no Chametz remains before the holiday begins.

The Cametz is searched for at night then burned in the day along with one’s ego and arrogance because it was not from the greatness of the Jewish People that they were freed from slavery but from the kindness of the Creator who gave this 3500-year-old eternal commandment.