One of the things I love about being Jewish is that there is a lesson to be learned from everything. Whether it’s a story in the Torah, a holiday, or just an experience we have, there will always be a bottom line that can be applied to some area in our lives. This is very central to our belief that G-d is ultimately in charge of everything and nothing happens without reason. If we see or hear something, it has to be telling us something.
So, with Pesach approaching, allow me to share a thought that I believe everyone can learn from:
As we all know, the Matzah we eat on Pesach is meticulously prepared with much care to prevent it from leavening. Aside for it being baked at very high temperature which enables it to harden quickly, Matzah is missing many of the ingredients ordinarily included in bread. It is a simple ‘cracker’ without much of a taste.
The two letters which are different, hei and chet, are actually very similar in appearance, the only difference being the left leg of the chet rising all the way to the top, while the hei’s leg remains low.
Simply put, Matzah represents humility.
In life we sometimes need a reminder to remain humble. Whether it’s in our family life, social circles, or even at work; allowing our egos to get the better of us is never a good thing. A healthy self-esteem is one that allows room for being wrong.
So this year, when you eat your Matzah at the Seder, take a moment to reflect on its meaning and how it can be applied to your own life.
And of course, if you or someone you know would like some hand-made Shmurah Matzah, email me at rabbi@chabadnwind.com.