There are three pieces of matzah stacked on the table. We now break the middle matzah into two pieces. The larger of the pieces will be hid at some point in the seder. This piece is called the afikomen, literally “dessert” in Greek. After dinner, the guests will have to hunt for the afikomen in order to wrap up the meal.

We eat matzah in memory of the quick flight of our ancestors from Egypt. When the word of their freedom came, they took whatever dough they had and ran with it before it had the chance to rise, leaving it looking something like matzah.

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

This is the bread of poverty which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. 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.


haggadah Section: Yachatz