And now it is time to answer those four questions about what makes this night different from all other nights.

MATZAH--UNLEAVENED BREAD 

MATZAH --Why do we eat matzah? 

Legend has it that when Moses and his followers fled Egypt, they moved so quickly that the bread they baked did not have time to rise.

However, scholars have noted that long before the Jews celebrated Passover, farmers of the Middle East celebrated Khag Ha-matzot, the festival of unleavened bread, at this time of year. This was a festival where unleavened bread was made from the new grain harvest that took place at this time of the year.

The old fermented dough was thrown out so that last year's grain would not be mixed with this year's. Therefore, the new season began with the eating of unleavened bread--matsah. Later on, the Jewish people incorporated this agricultural festival into the celebration of freedom and renewal we now call Passover.

Let us now sing the song about the bread made from the grain that grows out of the earth.

B'ROO-KHA A-DA-MA

B'-roo-kha a-da-ma b'-feer-ya oo-v'too-va.

B'-roo-kha a-da-ma b'-khol ohd teef-ar-ta.

We celebrate the bread of health and goodness

We celebrate the products of the earth.

Let us all now eat a piece of matsah. 


haggadah Section: Motzi-Matzah