Matzah: Difference between revisions

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The Torah does not provide details about preparing matzah, but according to most halachic authorities, matzah should be made by hand rather than machine, and in a round shape rather than square. The preparation and baking of matzah is done in a special bakery, with extreme care to ensure the dough does not become chametz (leavened) and cause one to transgress by eating chametz.

[[File:מים שלנו.jpg|thumb|The Rebbe preforming Mayim Shelonu]]

Matzah is also called "lechem oni" (bread of poverty/affliction), from which the Sages learned that its ingredients should be "poor" - just flour and water. Only with this matzah can one fulfill the mitzvah. Matzah with added liquids besides water is called "matzah ashirah" (enriched matzah), which cannot be used to fulfill the obligation. However, if it is properly made and protected from becoming chametz, it is permitted to be eaten during the holiday. Nevertheless, the custom is not to eat matzah ashirah at all.

Matzah is also called "lechem oni"<ref>Devorim,16,,3</ref> (bread of poverty/affliction), from which the Sages learned that its ingredients should be "poor" - just flour and water. Only with this matzah can one fulfill the mitzvah. Matzah with added liquids besides water is called "matzah ashirah" (enriched matzah), which cannot be used to fulfill the obligation. However, if it is properly made and protected from becoming chametz, it is permitted to be eaten during the holiday. Nevertheless, the custom is not to eat matzah ashirah at all.

[[File:אפיית מצות.jpg|thumb|Baking Matzos]]

== Types of Matzah ==

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[[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.

In the Zohar, 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." 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.

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 The Torah does not provide details about preparing matzah, but according to most halachic authorities, matzah should be made by hand rather than machine, and in a round shape rather than square. The preparation and baking of matzah is done in a special bakery, with extreme care to ensure the dough does not become chametz (leavened) and cause one to transgress by eating chametz.
 [[File:מים שלנו.jpg|thumb|The Rebbe preforming Mayim Shelonu]]
-Matzah is also called "lechem oni" (bread of poverty/affliction), from which the Sages learned that its ingredients should be "poor" - just flour and water. Only with this matzah can one fulfill the mitzvah. Matzah with added liquids besides water is called "matzah ashirah" (enriched matzah), which cannot be used to fulfill the obligation. However, if it is properly made and protected from becoming chametz, it is permitted to be eaten during the holiday. Nevertheless, the custom is not to eat matzah ashirah at all.
+Matzah is also called "lechem oni"<ref>Devorim,16,,3</ref> (bread of poverty/affliction), from which the Sages learned that its ingredients should be "poor" - just flour and water. Only with this matzah can one fulfill the mitzvah. Matzah with added liquids besides water is called "matzah ashirah" (enriched matzah), which cannot be used to fulfill the obligation. However, if it is properly made and protected from becoming chametz, it is permitted to be eaten during the holiday. Nevertheless, the custom is not to eat matzah ashirah at all.
 [[File:אפיית מצות.jpg|thumb|Baking Matzos]]
 == Types of Matzah ==
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 [[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.
-In the Zohar, 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." 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.