Unleashing faith

One of the most iconic elements of Passover is eating matzah, the simple, unleavened bread. In fact, Passover is the only holiday where the food we eat—matzah—is itself a mitzvah. While eating on Shabbat and other holidays is also a mitzvah, it’s not the food itself that fulfills the commandment. Instead, it’s the joy or pleasure the meal brings that aligns with the mitzvah. But on Passover, the matzah itself is a “mitzvah food.”

This distinction is significant because it connects the physical act of eating with a deeply spiritual outcome. Matzah isn’t just bread, it’s a tool for nurturing faith.

The Zohar, a foundational text of Jewish mysticism, calls matzah “michla d’mehemenuta—the food of faith.” Just as physical food strengthens the body, matzah nourishes the soul, reinforcing our faith.

But how does something as physical as eating affect something as spiritual as faith? The sages offer a metaphor:

A child cannot call out “Father” until they taste grain for the first time. While speaking and recognizing a parent is a developmental milestone, it’s somehow connected to the simple act of eating. Similarly, eating matzah has a hidden power to unlock and deepen our connection to G-d, even if we don’t immediately feel it.

The metaphor also hints at a key aspect of faith. A child doesn’t fully grasp what “Father” means—he doesn’t understand his father’s role as a provider, protector, or guide. Yet the child’s first utterance of “Father” carries within it the entire depth of that relationship.

In the same way, when we eat matzah on Passover, we may not feel or understand the strengthening of our faith. But the act itself plants a seed. Over time, that simple, pure connection grows into a profound relationship with G-d.

This unique quality of matzah distinguishes it from the food we enjoy on other holidays. While eating on Shabbat or holidays uplifts parts of our being, matzah works on a deeper level. It penetrates every layer of our existence, from body to soul, ensuring that nothing can block the light of our faith.

Faith, by its nature, is absolute truth—it connects us to G-d in a way that nothing can obscure. Eating matzah during Passover taps into this truth, weaving it into the very fabric of who we are.

Passover is a time to reconnect with our core beliefs, and matzah reminds us that this connection doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s the simplest acts—eating a piece of unleavened bread—that carry the deepest meaning.

As we sit around the Seder table this year, let’s take a moment to appreciate the quiet power of matzah. With every bite, we’re not just honoring our past—we’re nourishing our souls and strengthening the faith that carries us forward.