9. Motzi Matzah (Blessings over the Matzah)

Haggadah Section: Introduction

This section on Motzi Matzah was contributed by Faustine Sigal, who is the International Director of Jewish Education for Moishe House, who works in France, where there are two Moishe Houses in Paris! The transliterations have a certain French accent to them which is really cool!

----

Matsa is the Pessah bread, and, take it from a French person, bread is a central element in building social links. Judaism is well aware of this, as we are reminded by the fact that meals are started by a solemn, communal blessing over bread. More painfully, some rules also limit Jews possibility to eat bread together with non-Jews. This comes from the concern to keep Jews separated from their non-Jewish neighbours and acknowledges how transformative the experience of sharing a meal can be in a friendship.

This is for the generic bread part. But what is specific about matsa within the pessah picture? Matsa is an unfinished process: it is bread that we started baking but did not finish, for lack of time in the original story. Eating it is a reminder that Redemption is also an unfinished process. It is the first day of the rest of our lives rather than an ending point. It is not an achievement but a responsibility we are given, to take it further, step by step and to pay it forward.  Next up in the Jewish calendar is Shavuot, the giving of the Torah. Once we are freed, accepting shared rules and memory is the next stop of this journey. What is yours?

----

Activity/Discussion: What are our unfinished processes? Go round the room and say something that's unfinished.

Clip Featured in Moishe House London'sMoHoLo Reverse Seder
Edit Clip
MoHoLo Reverse Seder
MH
Moishe House London
Table of contents
    Introduction
  • Introduction
  • 1. Songs
  • 4. Bareich (Grace after Meals)
  • 5. Tzafun (Eating of the Afikoman)
  • 6. Shulchan Orech (The Meal)
  • 7. Koreich (Sandwich)
  • 8. Maror (Bitter Herbs)
  • 9. Motzi Matzah (Blessings over the Matzah)
  • 10. Rohtzah (Second Washing of the Hands)
  • 11. Maggid (Story of Exodus)
  • Reverse Story of Exodus Script
  • 4 Questions Reverse!
  • 12. Yachatz (Breaking of the Middle Matzah)
  • 14. Ur'chatz (First Ritual Washing of the Hands)
  • 15. Kadesh (Blessing Over Wine)
  • Shehecheyanu
    • Commentary / Readings
  • Poetry - Reading The Haggadah Backwards
    • Nirtzah
  • 2. Nirtzah (Next Year in Jerusalem)
    • Hallel
  • 3. Hallel (Songs of Praise)
    • -- Ten Plagues
  • The Ten Plagues
    • -- Four Children
  • Emoji Four children
    • Karpas
  • Karpas Cocktail
    • Kadesh
  • Traditional Kiddush (Hebrew)
  • Traditional Kiddush (transliteration)
  • Inspired to create
    your own Haggadah?

    Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world

    Have an idea
    for a clip?

    People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip

    Support Us
    with your donation

    Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
    home-based Jewish rituals.

    OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS

    contributor image
    Esther Kustanowitz
    4 Haggadahs44 Clips
    contributor image
    JQ International
    1 Haggadah40 Clips
    contributor image
    MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
    5 Haggadahs109 Clips
    contributor image
    18Doors
    1 Haggadah13 Clips
    contributor image
    JewishBoston
    1 Haggadah78 Clips
    contributor image
    Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
    1 Haggadah36 Clips
    contributor image
    American Jewish World Service
    1 Haggadah44 Clips
    contributor image
    JewBelong
    3 Haggadahs57 Clips
    contributor image
    Repair the World
    12 Clips
    contributor image
    HIAS
    5 Haggadahs48 Clips
    contributor image
    Be'chol Lashon
    2 Haggadahs27 Clips
    contributor image
    PJ Library
    1 Haggadah17 Clips
    contributor image
    Jewish World Watch
    3 Haggadahs42 Clips
    contributor image
    Secular Synagogue
    10 Clips
    contributor image
    SVIVAH
    1 Haggadah9 Clips
    contributor image
    The Blue Dove Foundation
    20 Clips
    contributor image
    ReformJudaism.org
    24 Clips
    contributor image
    Jewish Emergent Network
    1 Haggadah22 Clips

    Passover Guide

    Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
    know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
    to all of your questions.

    Haggadot

    Haggadot.com by Recustom, is a free resource for all backgrounds and experiences. Consider making a donation to help support the continuation of this free platform.

    Copyright © 2024 Custom and Craft Jewish Rituals Inc, dba Recustom, dba Haggadot.com.
    All Rights Reserved. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. EIN: 82-4765805.