Twice in the torah (Exodus 12:8 and Numbers 9:11) G-d commands the Jewish people to celebrate Passover by eating the Passover offering, matza and bitter herbs together. In order to remind ourselves of this commandment Hillel created a sandwich. This sandwich is now an integral part of our Seder known as Korech. The original Korech could only be made when the Beit Hamikdash existed because sacrifices still occurred. Now the Korech part of the Seder contains no meat and people often use haroset instead. Korech is one part of the Seder that doesn’t require a blessing and now is more of a tradition to remind ourselves of the commandment we used to fulfill.

According to Chabad.org the fact that Hillel chose to eat the maror with the Matzah and not by itself symbolized his positive approach to all aspects of life.  The matzah represents freedom and the maror represents bitterness and slavery. As a result, the sandwich symbolizes the hardships within our free lives. Hillel believed that the hardships G-d gave him were beneficial for his life. He was able to understand that everything positive and negative in his life was there for a reason. The sandwich in all symbolized life to Hillel because it was composed of bitter and sweet.

Instructions for how to eat the sandwich of matza and maror:

  1. A Kezayis piece of matzah is taken from the bottom of the three matzot
    1. According to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein the matza can’t be smaller than 28 square inches
  2. A kezayis piece of maror dipped in haroset is placed between the matzah
  3. Although no bracha is said it is a custom to say “In remembrance of the temple we do as Hillel did at the time when the temple was standing. He would combine Matzah and maror in a sandwhich and eat them together, to fulfill what is written in the torah. “ with Matzot and bitter herbs shall they eat.”
  4. Recline while eating the Sandwich
  5. Try to eat the sandwich in one bite

haggadah Section: Koreich