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Leviticus 23:6 - Matzah: Why seven days?

Leviticus 23:6 - ויקרא 23:6

Hebrew Text

וּבַחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה חַג הַמַּצּוֹת לַיהוָה שִׁבְעַת יָמִים מַצּוֹת תֹּאכֵלוּ׃

English Translation

And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to the Lord: seven days you must eat unleavened bread.

Transliteration

Uvachamisha asar yom lachodesh hazeh chag hamatzot la'Adonai shiv'at yamim matzot tochelu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבַחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֔ה חַ֥ג הַמַּצּ֖וֹת לַיהֹוָ֑ה שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים מַצּ֥וֹת תֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃
וּבַחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֔ה חַ֥ג הַמַּצּ֖וֹת לַיהֹוָ֑ה שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים מַצּ֥וֹת תֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Fifteenth Day as the Start of Chag HaMatzot

The verse (Vayikra 23:6) establishes the 15th of Nisan as the beginning of Chag HaMatzot, the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Rashi explains that this date marks the day Bnei Yisrael left Egypt in haste, as described in Shemot 12:39, emphasizing the connection between the Exodus and the mitzvah of eating matzah. The Torah refers to this holiday both as Chag HaMatzot and Pesach, with the Talmud (Pesachim 5a) clarifying that these terms reflect different aspects of the same festival.

The Seven-Day Obligation to Eat Matzah

The verse commands eating matzah for seven days. Rambam (Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah 6:1) rules that while eating matzah is obligatory only on the first night of Pesach (based on Shemot 12:18), it remains a mitzvah to eat matzah throughout the seven days. The Sifra (Emor 12:1) notes that this seven-day period serves as a perpetual reminder of the Exodus, with matzah symbolizing both the haste of the departure and the humility of our ancestors.

Spiritual Significance of Matzah

  • Symbol of Humility: The Maharal (Gevurot Hashem Ch. 60) teaches that matzah's flat, unleavened state represents humility (שפלות), the opposite of chametz's inflated ego.
  • Faith in Hashem: The Sefat Emet (Pesach 5631) connects matzah to bitachon (trust in G-d), as Bnei Yisrael left Egypt without waiting for their dough to rise, demonstrating complete reliance on Divine providence.
  • Freedom from Spiritual Constraints: The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar, Shemot 12:39) explains that matzah represents freedom from the "leavening" of negative influences, allowing for pure divine service.

Halachic Dimensions

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 471:1) details the requirements for matzah used for the mitzvah, including:

  • Must be made from one of the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, rye, oats)
  • Must be guarded from leavening (שמירת מצה משעת קצירה)
  • Must be baked with specific intent for the mitzvah (לשם מצת מצוה)

The Mishna Berura (471:4) emphasizes the importance of eating at least a kezayit of matzah to fulfill the mitzvah properly.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 28b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the timing and duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, emphasizing the commandment to eat unleavened bread for seven days starting on the fifteenth day of the month.
📖 Megillah 20b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the proper times for reading the Megillah and other festival observances, highlighting the importance of the fifteenth day for the commencement of the festival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse mean by 'feast of unleavened bread'?
A: The 'feast of unleavened bread' refers to the holiday of Passover (Pesach), when we eat matzah (unleavened bread) for seven days. This commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, when the Israelites left in such haste that their bread did not have time to rise (Exodus 12:39). Rashi explains that this mitzvah reminds us of our ancestors' redemption.
Q: Why do we eat matzah for seven days?
A: We eat matzah for seven days because the Torah commands it in this verse. The Rambam (Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah 6:1) explains that this duration reinforces the miracle of the Exodus and our gratitude to Hashem. Eating matzah is both a remembrance and a fulfillment of the biblical commandment.
Q: What is the significance of the 15th day of the month?
A: The 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan marks the beginning of Passover, when the Israelites left Egypt. The Talmud (Pesachim 95b) discusses how this date was divinely appointed for redemption. It is the first day of the seven-day festival when we abstain from chametz (leavened bread) and eat matzah instead.
Q: How do we observe this verse today?
A: Today, we observe this verse by strictly avoiding chametz (leavened products) and eating only matzah during Passover. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 453) details the laws of checking for and removing chametz before the holiday. Families also hold Seders on the first nights to retell the story of the Exodus.
Q: Why is this commandment important in Judaism?
A: This commandment is central because it connects us to our history and faith. The Midrash (Mechilta Bo 12) teaches that eating matzah symbolizes humility (since it does not rise) and our ancestors' trust in Hashem during the Exodus. Keeping Passover reaffirms our identity as Jews and our covenant with G-d.