This verse from Deuteronomy 16:3 is part of the instructions for celebrating Passover (Pesach). Let's break down its meaning:
"You shall eat no leavened bread with it." This means that during Passover, you are forbidden to eat any bread that has risen with yeast or other leavening agents.
"You shall eat unleavened bread with it seven days, even the bread of affliction;" For the entire seven-day duration of Passover, only unleavened bread (matzah) is to be eaten. This matzah is referred to as "the bread of affliction" because it symbolizes the hardship and hurried departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was made quickly, without time for the dough to rise.
"for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste; that you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life." This is the reason for the restriction on leavened bread and the mandate to eat unleavened bread. The Israelites left Egypt in such a hurry that they didn't have time for their bread dough to rise. By eating matzah during Passover, Jews are constantly reminded of the Exodus, their liberation from slavery, and God's intervention on their behalf. The act of eating the "bread of affliction" connects them to the suffering of their ancestors and the joy of their newfound freedom.
In summary: The verse instructs the Israelites to eat only unleavened bread (matzah) during the seven days of Passover. This is a symbolic act meant to remind them of their ancestors' hasty departure from slavery in Egypt and to continuously remember the Exodus throughout their lives. The matzah serves as a tangible reminder of both the affliction of slavery and the miracle of freedom.
This verse from Deuteronomy 16:3 is part of the instructions for celebrating Passover (Pesach). Let's break down its meaning:
"You shall eat no leavened bread with it." This means that during Passover, you are forbidden to eat any bread that has risen with yeast or other leavening agents.
"You shall eat unleavened bread with it seven days, even the bread of affliction;" For the entire seven-day duration of Passover, only unleavened bread (matzah) is to be eaten. This matzah is referred to as "the bread of affliction" because it symbolizes the hardship and hurried departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was made quickly, without time for the dough to rise.
"for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste; that you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life." This is the reason for the restriction on leavened bread and the mandate to eat unleavened bread. The Israelites left Egypt in such a hurry that they didn't have time for their bread dough to rise. By eating matzah during Passover, Jews are constantly reminded of the Exodus, their liberation from slavery, and God's intervention on their behalf. The act of eating the "bread of affliction" connects them to the suffering of their ancestors and the joy of their newfound freedom.
In summary: The verse instructs the Israelites to eat only unleavened bread (matzah) during the seven days of Passover. This is a symbolic act meant to remind them of their ancestors' hasty departure from slavery in Egypt and to continuously remember the Exodus throughout their lives. The matzah serves as a tangible reminder of both the affliction of slavery and the miracle of freedom.