In the middle of the table there are 3 pieces of Matzo. While one will soon be hidden as the afikomen, later to be searched for, the middle matzah is to be broken. Matzah represents in part the urgency felt in leaving Egypt. Perhaps the first instance of what we now recognize as the need for immediate gratification, it was time to go, and it was time go  now. There was not time to raise the bread, so instead we walked into the desert with unleavened dough, putting freedom over prefernce, putting survival over luxury. We remember:

This is the bread of poverty which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry, come and eat; all who are needy, come and celebrate Passover with us. This year we are here; next year we will be in Israel. This year we are slaves; next year we will be free.

The next line of that passage said something about how while we now look forward to the special occaision of eating matzo once a year, the Jewish people who fled Israel may not have found pleasure, but just substanance, in the 40 years that is kept the wandering Jews alive. To be honest, I'm not sure that matzah is the culinary star of Passover now either, but the gratitude still prospers.


haggadah Section: Yachatz