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Three rivers of matzos

Matzo is what we are commanded to eat on Pesach. What for? Why must I eat an overpriced cracker and only on this night?

Many commentaries will argue that the ways of Hashem are beyond us and the only way to reach Olom Habo is through the punctilious performance of the Mitzvos no matter if I understand them or not!

NONETHELESS, since we have to use all of our faculties with regard to Torah study we can find a rationale. The first redemption is the precursor for all future redemptions. As such, when we eat matzo in commemoration of the events as they took place 3319 years ago, we not only are reliving the event we are recreating the event once more. In fact G-d considers it as if we were doing the things necessary for us to go free. This serves as a catalyst to herald in our own and the final redemption! So by remembering we cause it to happen again.

A second approach ,is that every mitzvah must bring about a correction in one’s crass nature. When someone has been given a gift, the least one can do is to show and articulate thanks. In order for us to show appreciation for having been set free we must “see” through the eyes of a slave ,endure his pain and exult in the liberation. Therefore , by demonstrating the conditions of those times we develop the feelings of thanks, exultation and happiness that came as a result of the Exodus from Egypt. Thus we not only observe the Mitzvos of Pesach, we relive those times and miracles. We feel the pain and humiliation of bondage , as well as the exultation of redemption. ………………………………............................,,,,

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By reliving those times we not only are truly grateful, we make ourselves the kind of people worthy of another Exodus! Thus redemption is inherent in believing in and being the kind of person worthy of, G-d’s intervention.

The third approach is that the Mitzvos inherently contain the elements of the redemption. That means that the Mitzvos are conduits between man and G-d. Not only do the Mitzvos recreate the Exodus and inculcate us with absorbing a lesson . They connect us with G-d and as such create the revelation that by its’ nature is redemptive. That means, that the Matzo channels the Divine Presence that was there at the time of the Exodus. When we received this vision we could not be anyone else’s slave other than G-d’s!

Freedom isn’t just a physical condition, it is a state of being . When you think and act free you become free. The Matzo brings us this awareness.

So there you have it.

1) the commandments such as the eating of Matzoh recreates the Exodus once again and makes us worthy of another greater Exodus.

2) the commandments make us the kind of people who are worthy by helping us to be aware of the reality of those times. We are thankful and prepared to meet the challenges and reach the teshuvah necessary for the higher reality of redemption.

3)the Mitzvos are of themselves the channels of redemption. By doing the Mitzvos of Pesach we are connected to the same revelations of the first exodus and even higher! The Mitzvos are the tool of revelation which creates the reality of a people who are free. They aren’t just a catalyst for a return of those times. They also aren’t just the vehicle for teaching us proper attitudes.

Rather, the mitzvahs are channels of G-d’s Presence, that which will create the reality of a free and chosen people!