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Exodus 12:39 - Rushed redemption's humble bread

Exodus 12:39 - שמות 12:39

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאפוּ אֶת־הַבָּצֵק אֲשֶׁר הוֹצִיאוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם עֻגֹת מַצּוֹת כִּי לֹא חָמֵץ כִּי־גֹרְשׁוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לְהִתְמַהְמֵהַּ וְגַם־צֵדָה לֹא־עָשׂוּ לָהֶם׃

English Translation

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Miżrayim, for it was not leavened; because they were driven out of Miżrayim, and could not delay, neither had they prepared for themselves any provision.

Transliteration

Va'yo'fu et-habatsek asher hotzi'u mimitzrayim ugot matzot ki lo chametz ki-gorshu mimitzrayim velo yachlu lehitmahema vegam-tzedah lo-asu lahem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּאפ֨וּ אֶת־הַבָּצֵ֜ק אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצִ֧יאוּ מִמִּצְרַ֛יִם עֻגֹ֥ת מַצּ֖וֹת כִּ֣י לֹ֣א חָמֵ֑ץ כִּֽי־גֹרְשׁ֣וּ מִמִּצְרַ֗יִם וְלֹ֤א יָֽכְלוּ֙ לְהִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ וְגַם־צֵדָ֖ה לֹא־עָשׂ֥וּ לָהֶֽם׃
וַיֹּאפ֨וּ אֶת־הַבָּצֵ֜ק אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצִ֧יאוּ מִמִּצְרַ֛יִם עֻגֹ֥ת מַצּ֖וֹת כִּ֣י לֹ֣א חָמֵ֑ץ כִּֽי־גֹרְשׁ֣וּ מִמִּצְרַ֗יִם וְלֹ֤א יָֽכְלוּ֙ לְהִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ וְגַם־צֵדָ֖ה לֹא־עָשׂ֥וּ לָהֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Baking of Matzot in Urgency

The verse (Shemot 12:39) describes how Bnei Yisrael baked matzot from the dough they took out of Mitzrayim because it did not have time to rise. Rashi explains that the phrase "כִּי לֹא חָמֵץ" ("for it was not leavened") means the dough did not ferment, as they were expelled hastily (בחפזון). The Ibn Ezra adds that they had no time to prepare provisions, emphasizing the suddenness of their departure.

The Divine Providence in the Lack of Leavening

The Ramban highlights that this event was orchestrated by Hashem to fulfill the mitzvah of eating matzah, as commanded earlier (Shemot 12:15-20). The haste was not merely circumstantial but part of the Divine plan to establish matzah as a lasting symbol of Yetziat Mitzrayim. The Sforno further explains that their inability to delay ("וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לְהִתְמַהְמֵהַּ") ensured they would not reconsider and remain in Mitzrayim.

Symbolism of Matzah in Jewish Tradition

The Mechilta connects this verse to the broader theme of matzah representing both affliction (as simple, humble bread) and redemption (eaten in haste during liberation). The Talmud (Pesachim 116b) teaches that matzah recalls both the "bread of poverty" (לחם עוני) and the speed of Hashem’s salvation.

  • Rashi: Focuses on the physical haste preventing leavening.
  • Ramban: Sees the event as Divinely ordained to fulfill the mitzvah of matzah.
  • Mechilta & Talmud: Emphasize the dual symbolism of matzah as suffering and redemption.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 116b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the Exodus from Egypt and the commandment to eat matzah (unleavened bread) on Passover, emphasizing the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt.
📖 Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael Masekhta d'Pischa, Parshah 12
The verse is referenced in the Mekhilta, a tannaitic midrash on Exodus, to explain the reason for eating matzah during Passover, highlighting the urgency of the Israelites' departure from Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Israelites bake unleavened bread (matzah) when leaving Egypt?
A: According to Rashi (Exodus 12:39), the Israelites baked matzah because they were forced to leave Egypt in great haste (גֹרְשׁוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם) and didn't have time to let their dough rise. This event is the basis for the mitzvah of eating matzah on Passover, commemorating our ancestors' hurried departure from slavery.
Q: What does this verse teach us about trusting in Hashem?
A: The Rambam teaches that this episode demonstrates complete faith in Hashem - the Israelites left Egypt without proper provisions, trusting that G-d would provide for them in the wilderness. This teaches us that when fulfilling G-d's will, we can rely on Divine providence even when human logic suggests we should prepare differently.
Q: Why is this verse important for understanding Passover?
A: This verse establishes the historical basis for the Torah's commandment to eat matzah on Passover (Exodus 12:15-20). The Talmud (Pesachim 116b) explains that we eat matzah to remember both the slavery (as poor bread) and the redemption (as the bread of freedom eaten when leaving Egypt).
Q: What does 'they could not delay' teach us about redemption?
A: The Midrash (Mechilta) explains that when the time for redemption comes, it must happen immediately without delay. This teaches us that spiritual opportunities - like the Exodus - require immediate action when they arise, and we shouldn't postpone doing mitzvot when the chance presents itself.
Q: How does this verse connect to the mitzvah of eating matzah today?
A: The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 453) rules that we eat matzah on Passover to fulfill the Torah's commandment while remembering this verse's account of our ancestors eating matzah. The matzah we eat today symbolically connects us to that historic moment of redemption from Egypt.