YACHATZ (BREAKING THE MIDDLE MATZAH)

There are three pieces of matzah stacked on the table.  We now break the middle matzah into two – one becomes the afikomen. We eat matzah, unleavened bread, to remind us that when the Israelites were finally freed, they fled Egypt so quickly that their bread did not have time to rise.

Uncover and hold up the three pieces of matzah and say:

“This is the bread of poverty that our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let 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.”         

After we return the smaller half to its place between the other two matzahs, we place the larger half in a bag, or wrap it in a cloth, and then set it aside. The matzah that is set aside is called the afikoman, and it is eaten for “dessert” after the Seder meal in commemoration of the paschal sacrifice. 


haggadah Section: Yachatz