Pesach 5765
The Prohibition of ‘Hametz and the Festival of Freedom

Dr Yonatan Mirvis

Among the mitzvot of Pesach, the one that seems to attract the most attention is the prohibition of the consumption, ownership or enjoyment of 'Hametz on Pesach. This prohibition requires hours of cleaning, has spurned an industry dedicated to manufacturing products kosher for Pesach, and demands a drastic change in the daily human diet.

In celebrating the Festival of Freedom, why has the prohibition of eating 'Hametz been given such prominence? Surely there are other rituals that could have been instituted with similar or greater prominence.

Indeed the prohibition of eating 'Hametz on Pesach is unique in the Jewish ritual. The laws of kashrut that prescribe our daily diet require the consumption of animals, birds and fish that are substantively kosher, forbid the consumption of animal blood even of kosher animals and forbid the mixing of Kosher meat and milk. In reality it is possible to do without animals and thus save all the effort required in adopting a kosher diet. The millions of vegetarians can testify to this. However regarding the prohibition of ’Hametz the situation is not only far more complex but far more serious a transgression as well.

’Hametz is neither inherently a forbidden food nor is it a prohibition of the mixing of foods. ’Hametz is defined as one of the five grains that has come into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Thus while Matzah contains the exact same ingredients as 'Hametz, i.e. one of the five grains baked with water, the difference is that the baking process occurs within 18 minutes of the flour coming into contact with water. There is an opinion that not only is ’Hametz forbidden but it is a mitzvah to eat Matzah!

Accordingly we see that the prohibition of ‘Hametz is a prohibition involving a delay of time, of procrastination. If flour and water are baked in 17 minutes, it is a mitzvah to eat the matzah. If there is a delay and the baking takes 19 minutes, the dough becomes Hametz and partaking thereof is one of the most serious prohibitions - even if the product looks exactly like the former! What a difference 60 seconds can make!

During Pesach, the Jew adopts a ritual that teaches him/her to treasure every minute for a complete week (8 days in the Diaspora). Yes, every single minute should be accounted for and utilized in a fitting manner. Time is the one gift of the Almighty that can never be returned or re-gained. Material objects can be restored; even happiness and love can reblossom. Time however always marches on. One of the greatest aspects of being free is the ability to control one's time. The slave's time is controlled by his master and he thus is exempt from time-bound mitzvot; the free person is a master of his own time.

On Pesach we celebrate our ability to control and utilize time. The eating of the most basic foods i.e. grain flour and water requires preparation with a stop watch. We learn to treasure every minute and use it to the full.

May this Pesach be a true festival of freedom, a festival in which we will treasure our time and continue to utilize it to the full.