CHAG MATZAH

Shalom, Shalom. We commence this DEVAR TORAH by focusing on the feast termed CHAG MATZAH. Concerning this CHAG, the NAVI MOSHE was given the following instruction from HASHEM, it is written, “And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Festival of MATZOS to HASHEM; you shall eat matzos for a seven day period. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation for you, you shall do no laborious work. You shall bring a fire-offering to HaShem for a seven-day period; on the seventh day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.” (Leviticus 23:6-8) The instructions found in the SIDRAH disclose that CHAG MATZAH (the Festival of Unleavened Bread) commences the day following PESACH (Passover). PESACH is the celebration of the G-d orchestrated liberation of the Jewish people from the OPPRESSION of MITZRAYIM (Egypt). In other words, the LIBERATION of the Jewish People from OPPRESSION is to be followed by a seven day period whereas we are to commemorate by eating MATZOT, that is, the BREAD of AFFLICTION. No doubt, there is a MYSTERY to the COMMEMORATION that if uncovered will aid in our ASCENSION into PURE SOUL CONSCIOUSNESS, that is, a CONSCIOUS UNION with HASHEM. Yea, within the RITUAL is a REVELATION that will give rise to experiencing the INFOLDMENT in the UNIVERSE of BECOMING.

The INFOLDMENT in the human conscious experience in the UNIVERSE of BECOMING is the HIDDEN ATTRIBUTES of G-d being made manifest in the PHYSICAL BODY and MIND. The manifestation is actualized as the experience of KNOWLEDGE (ALL KNOWING), EXISTENCE (IMMORTALITY) and BLISS (COMPLETE HAPPINESS). Without controversy, the idea that we are commanded to COMMEMORATE a Festival of communing the BREAD of AFFLICTION is indicative of the EMET (truth) that LIBERATION from oppression alone does NOT engender the ASCENSION into PURE SOUL CONSCIOUSNESS, that is, KNOWLEDGE, EXISTENCE and BLISS.

To aid in understanding the MYSTERY of the Festival, the NAVI ISAIAH wrote, “Behold, I refine you, but not like silver; I have chosen for you the crucible of hardship.” (Isaiah 48:10) In this prophetic utterance, it is disclosed that the pathway to GREATNESS promised to the Jewish People requires undergoing the experience termed the CRUCIBLE of HARDSHIP. In other words, the extreme challenges that are experienced by the Jewish People are PREDETERMINED by HASHEM to aid in the MANIFESTATION of the UNLIMITED POTENTIAL that is hid within. The COMMAND to CONSUME the BREAD of AFFLICTION is to refine the MIND in such a way that the CRUCIBLE of HARDSHIP is PERCEIVED AS ESSENTIAL to the INFOLDMENT of KNOWLEDGE, EXISTENCE and BLISS.

It was revealed to the NAVI Jeremiah that a CHAI (life) without Challenge gives rise to MEDIOCRITY, he wrote, “Moab was complacent from its youth, tranquil on its lees and not being poured from container to container, and did not go into EXILE; therefore its taste has stayed in it, and its scent was not diminished.” (Jeremiah 48:11) As suggested, what was HID within MOAB remained CONCEALED because of a LACK of EXTREME CHALLENGE. The Festival is designed to create in the MIND a CONSTRUCT that will enable the Jewish People to endure the CRUCIBLE that is necessary in our INFOLDMENT of GREATNESS after LIBERATION.