Editing Matzah (section)

=== Food of Faith and Healing ===
[[File:מאכל האמונה.jpg|thumb|331x331px|Response to a Jew who felt heart issues and had surgery scheduled after Passover: "It would be worthwhile that after Passover (and his eating of the food of healing), the doctors should examine him [to see if he still needs surgery]"]]

In the Zohar<ref>Sefer HaZohar Chelek Beis 183b.</ref>, matzah is called "meichlah d'meheimanuta" - the food of faith, because eating matzah is a segulah (spiritually beneficial action) for increasing faith. In Chassidut, this is explained based on the saying of our Sages: "A baby does not know how to call 'Abba' until it tastes grain.<ref>Brochos 40A</ref>" Similarly, matzah works on the one who eats it so that they will know to call upon Hashem's name and know and recognize His existence.
[[File:מצות מכונה.jpg|thumb|Machine Matzah]]
Another name for matzah in the Zohar is "meichlah d'asvata" - the food of healing. Matzah has a special segulah for healing the sick. A chassid of the Alter Rebbe who was a doctor would receive matzot from the Rebbe during Passover, grind them, and prepare medicines from them.

The Alter Rebbe said that the aspect of "food of faith" is primarily on the first night (outside of Israel, two Seder nights are observed) and the aspect of "food of healing" is primarily on the second night. Because if faith is only awakened after healing from illness, one needs to be ill, but if there is faith from the outset, there is no need for illness and there is constant healing.