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Deuteronomy 16:3 - Matzah: haste or humility?

Deuteronomy 16:3 - דברים 16:3

Hebrew Text

לֹא־תֹאכַל עָלָיו חָמֵץ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תֹּאכַל־עָלָיו מַצּוֹת לֶחֶם עֹנִי כִּי בְחִפָּזוֹן יָצָאתָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם לְמַעַן תִּזְכֹּר אֶת־יוֹם צֵאתְךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ׃

English Translation

Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread with it, the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Miżrayim in haste: that thou mayst remember the day when thou camest out of the land of Miżrayim all the days of thy life.

Transliteration

Lo-tochal alav chametz shivat yamim tochal-alav matzot lechem oni ki vechipazon yatzata me'eretz mitzrayim lema'an tizkor et-yom tzet'cha me'eretz mitzrayim kol yemei chayecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹא־תֹאכַ֤ל עָלָיו֙ חָמֵ֔ץ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֛ים תֹּֽאכַל־עָלָ֥יו מַצּ֖וֹת לֶ֣חֶם עֹ֑נִי כִּ֣י בְחִפָּז֗וֹן יָצָ֙אתָ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לְמַ֣עַן תִּזְכֹּ֗ר אֶת־י֤וֹם צֵֽאתְךָ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ׃
לֹא־תֹאכַ֤ל עָלָיו֙ חָמֵ֔ץ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֛ים תֹּֽאכַל־עָלָ֥יו מַצּ֖וֹת לֶ֣חֶם עֹ֑נִי כִּ֣י בְחִפָּז֗וֹן יָצָ֙אתָ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לְמַ֣עַן תִּזְכֹּ֗ר אֶת־י֤וֹם צֵֽאתְךָ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Prohibition of Chametz and Mitzvah of Matzah

The verse (Devarim 16:3) commands us to abstain from chametz (leavened bread) and eat matzah (unleavened bread) for seven days during Pesach. Rashi explains that the phrase "לֶחֶם עֹנִי" ("bread of affliction") refers to matzah, which recalls the suffering of our ancestors in Mitzrayim (Egypt) and their hurried departure. The Rambam (Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah 6:1) emphasizes that eating matzah on the first night of Pesach is a Torah obligation, while abstaining from chametz is a separate prohibition.

Remembering Yetziat Mitzrayim (The Exodus)

The verse connects matzah to the haste of the Exodus ("כִּי בְחִפָּזוֹן יָצָאתָ"). The Talmud (Pesachim 116b) teaches that this remembrance is not merely historical but an ongoing obligation "כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ" ("all the days of your life"). The Sifrei (Devarim 130) elaborates that this includes recalling the Exodus both day and night, as reflected in the daily recitation of Shema.

Symbolism of Matzah

  • Humility: The Maharal (Gevurot Hashem 61) explains that matzah's flatness symbolizes humility, contrasting with chametz's puffiness, which represents arrogance.
  • Redemption: The Zohar (II:41a) describes matzah as the "bread of faith," representing our ancestors' trust in Hashem during the Exodus.
  • Haste: Ibn Ezra notes that the lack of leavening reflects the urgency of leaving Mitzrayim, as the dough did not have time to rise (Shemot 12:39).

Practical Halachic Implications

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 471:1) rules that one must verbally articulate the connection between matzah and the Exodus during the Seder, fulfilling "לְמַעַן תִּזְכֹּר" ("that you may remember"). The Mishnah Berurah (471:4) adds that this remembrance should inspire gratitude to Hashem for our freedom.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 116b
The verse is discussed in the context of the obligation to eat matzah during Passover and the prohibition of eating chametz. The Talmud explores the reasons behind these commandments, linking them to the Exodus from Egypt.
📖 Berakhot 37b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the types of bread that can be used for the mitzvah of matzah and the significance of 'lechem oni' (bread of affliction).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do we eat matzah for seven days during Passover?
A: The Torah commands us to eat matzah (unleavened bread) for seven days during Passover to remember how our ancestors left Egypt in such haste that their bread did not have time to rise (Deuteronomy 16:3). This is based on the verse: 'Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, the bread of affliction... for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste.' Rashi explains that the matzah symbolizes both the poverty of slavery ('bread of affliction') and the speed of the Exodus.
Q: What does 'bread of affliction' mean in Deuteronomy 16:3?
A: The term 'bread of affliction' (לֶחֶם עֹנִי) refers to the matzah eaten during Passover, which reminds us of both the hardships of slavery in Egypt and the hurried Exodus. The Rambam (Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah 6:5) explains that this humble bread connects us to our ancestors' suffering and their miraculous redemption.
Q: Why is chametz (leavened bread) forbidden on Passover?
A: Chametz is forbidden on Passover because the Torah explicitly states: 'You shall eat no leavened bread with it' (Deuteronomy 16:3). The Talmud (Pesachim 2a) teaches that chametz represents arrogance and corruption (since it 'puffs up'), while matzah represents humility and faith—key themes of the Exodus. The prohibition reminds us to remove spiritual 'leaven' (negative traits) just as we remove physical chametz.
Q: How does eating matzah help us remember the Exodus?
A: Eating matzah is a tangible mitzvah that connects us to the Exodus experience. The verse says we eat it 'so that you may remember the day you left Egypt all the days of your life' (Deuteronomy 16:3). The Seforno explains that this physical act engraves the memory of our redemption into our consciousness, ensuring we pass this legacy to future generations.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from the commandment to eat matzah?
A: The matzah teaches us about faith and humility. Just as our ancestors left Egypt in haste with simple, unleavened bread, we too must learn to trust in Hashem even when life feels uncertain. The Chidushei HaRim (first Gerrer Rebbe) taught that matzah represents bitachon (trust in G-d), as it recalls how the Israelites relied on divine providence during the Exodus.