Pessach & The Festival of Matza

LAWS OF THE HOLIDAYS

1. Observe the Month of Aviv

As mentioned, we are told to 'observe [24] the Month of Aviv (Deuteronomy 16:1 [25]). 'Aviv' refers to a stage of ripeness of crops [26] and observing this month requires that solar calculations be included in the Hebrew calendar (as well as lunar, discussed later) [27]. It's interesting to note this is a significant omission in religious practice today, as modern Judaism does not currently commemorate the Month of Aviv [28] in a way similar to many of the other holidays. Modern Judaism in fact celebrates 'the month of Elul' and Elul is the name given to the 6th month of the calendar (although this is in relation to the celebration of the 1st Tishrei ('Rosh Hashana') [29] and not the Exodus holidays).

2. The Pessach Holiday

Leviticus 23:5 [30] tells us that, 'Yehova's Pessach begins at twilight on the 14th day of the first month'. As mentioned, we are told to consider the 14th day a memorial [31] and holiday [32] for celebration every year [33].

3. The Pessach Sacrifice

We are to sacrifice a Passover lamb, "in the place where Yehova chooses to put His name" Deuteronomy 16:2 [34]; Deuteronomy 16:5-6 [35]). The lamb is to be sacrificed at twilight [36], "at the going down [37] of the sun [38], at the same time [the Israelites] departed from Egypt" (Deuteronomy 16:6 [39]). It is to be roasted and people are to 'return to their tents' in the morning (Deuteronomy 16:7 [40]). Deuteronomy 16:3 [41] says the lamb is to be eaten with unleavened bread for 7 days.

4. The Festival of Unleavened Bread

Leviticus 23:5-6 [42] tells us that the Festival of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th of the first month. The first instructions about this festival appear in Exodus 12 [43].

We must eat unleavened bread for 7 days (Exodus 12:15 [44]; Exodus 13:6 [45]; Deuteronomy 16:3 [46]) in all our habitations (Exodus 12:20 [47]; Exodus 13:7 [48]).

On the first day of the festival, we must 'remove [49] leaven out of our houses' (Exodus 12:15 [50]; leaven cannot be found in our houses for 7 days (Exodus 12:19 [51]); we cannot eat leavened bread (Exodus 13:3 [52]) and no leavened bread or leaven is to be 'seen with us' (Exodus 13:7 [53]). I have noticed that Exodus 12:18 [54] says unleavened bread must be eaten from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first whereas Deuteronomy 16:8 [55] says it must be eaten for six days.

We must hold a holy (kadosh [56]) convocation (mikrah [57]) on the first and seventh day (Exodus 12:16 [58]), as well as a 'chag' on those days (Exodus 12:14 [59]; Exodus 13:6 [60]). Work is prohibited on those days, except for the purposes of preparing food (Exodus 12:16). Most Pharisaic Jews today celebrate a Seder on the first and second days but few celebrate one on the seventh day.

We are to keep the festival and not, "appear empty before Yehova" (Exodus 23:15 [61]). There is no direct explanation of what 'appearing empty' [62] means in this context although the same words are used in other contexts [63].

We are given instructions about relaying the message of Pessach to our children. 'On that day we must explain to our sons', for example [64] "that it is because of what Yehova did for me when I came up from Egypt" (Exodus 13:8) [65] and when our sons ask, "what is this?" (Exodus 13:14 [66]) we must say, "by strength of hand Yehova brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage".

TWO SEPARATE HOLIDAYS

I note that Pessach is technically a different holiday to the Festival of Unleavened Bread [67]. Exodus 12:14 [68] tells us that the day of judgement on the Egyptians is to be a memorial [69] and holiday [70] for celebration every year [71]. Exodus 12:15-20 then goes onto describe a 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread ('Chag Hamatzot' [72]). Pessach is a one-day holiday observed in the evening of the 14th Aviv (Leviticus 23:5 [73]) and Chag Hamatzot is the 7-day festival [74] that begins on the 15th Aviv and ends on the 22nd (Leviticus 23:6 [75]).

I mention that modern calendars are considering the 22nd April 2024 to be the 14th Aviv and are holding the first Seder in the evening of 22nd April 2024. However, the Hebrew day begins in the evening and the 14th Aviv in fact begins in the evening of 21st April 2024. The evening of 22nd April 2024 is the beginning of the 15th Aviv. This means that the first holiday of the Pessach (on the 14th Aviv) should take place in the evening of 21st April 2024 and the Festival of Unleavened Bread should be observed from the evening of 22nd April 2024 onwards. Observing Pessach on the evening of 22nd April 2024 (the 15th Aviv) must stem from a conflation of the separate holidays of the Pessach day and beginning of the 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread [76].

THE REMOVAL OF LEAVEN

To remove leaven, we need to determine which foods are classified as leaven. 

The first mention of unleavened bread ('matza' [77]) comes in Genesis 19 (Genesis 19:3 [78]). However, to understand the context of this reference, we need to look back to Genesis 18 [79]).

Leaven and the Angels

Genesis 18 describes Abraham's miraculous encounter with Yehova in the form of 3 angels who foretold the prophecy of the birth of Sarah's son, Isaac (Genesis 18:1-2 [80]). Abraham offers the angels bread ('lechem' [81]) to refresh themselves (Genesis 18:5 [82]) and hurries into his tent to ask Sarah to bake it (Genesis 18:6 [83]). He tells Sarah to knead [84] 3 'seahs' [85] of fine meal [86] and make 'uggah' [87]. Genesis 18:6-7 [88] mention the haste with which Abraham went to request the food; his request to Sarah that she act with haste and also the haste with which his servant prepared a calf. By Genesis 18:22 [89]), 2 of the angels head towards Soddom and Abraham is left standing before Yehova.

Then, Lot has a similar encounter with the 2 remaining angels in Genesis 19 [90]). Genesis 19:3 [91] says Lot insisted the angels stay with him and he made them a feast ('mishteh' [92]) and unleavened bread ('matzot' [93]). Genesis 19:12-22 [94] then goes on to describe the haste with which Lot was advised to leave the city before it was destroyed.

Haste and leaven then become central themes of the Pessach story (Exodus 12:11 [95]). Exodus 12:16 [96] even says that the only work that can be done on the 1st and 7th day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread is the preparation of food.

Leaven in the Scriptures

The Torah makes several references to a few key words concerning the concept of leaven. 

'Matsa'

As mentioned, the word 'matza' (Strong's Hebrew entry 4682) [97] first appears in Genesis 19:3 [98]. This word is connected to other similar words, including 'matza' (Strong's Hebrew entry 4680) [99] and 'matzatz' (Strong's Hebrew entry 4711) [100], which essentially mean 'to drain out', as if of water and 'matzsah' (Strong's Hebrew entry 4683) [101], which means 'strife'.

'Chametz' 

The word 'chametz' (Strong's Hebrew entry 2557) [102] first appears in Exodus 12:15 [103]. This is the main word used in the context of the Exodus holidays. However, a different root word with the same spelling is Strong's Hebrew entry 2556. Exodus 12:33 [104] says the Egyptians were hurrying the Israelites along because they were scared they were going to die and Exodus 12:34 [105] says the Israelites took their dough [106] before it was 'chametz' (Strong's Hebrew entry 2556) [107] in kneading bowls [108]. Exodus 12:39 [109] also says,

"And they baked [110] the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; unleavened cakes ('uggot matzot') because it was not 'chametz' (Strong's Hebrew entry 2556)".

'Chametz' as Strong's Hebrew entry 2556 appears elsewhere [111] in conjugated form to mean 'ruthless' (as in, a ruthless person, Psalm 71:4) [112] and 'embittered' (as in, embittered or soured of heart, Psalm 73:21 [113]).
The next relevant root word is 'chometz' (Strong's Hebrew entry 2558) [114]. This first appears in Numbers 6:3 [115] where we are told that a Nazirite is not allowed to drink 'chometz' wine and this is translated to mean wine 'vinegar'. We know from science that vinegar is produced by fermentation [116] and the word 'chamutz' in modern Hebrew means 'sour' [117]. 

'Seor'

Another word used for 'leaven' is 'seor' [118]. This also, like chametz Strong's Hebrew entry 2557 [119], first appears in Exodus 12:15 [120]. This word is then used interchangeably to mean leaven in all of its references. 'Seor' is said to come from the word 'sha'ar' [121], which means to 'swell up with remnants' [122], although the word itself is only used in scripture in the context of 'remaining' or 'being left behind'.

Removing 'Chametz'

It is necessary, for the purposes of Festival of Unleavened Bread, to identify the relevant leaven targeted for removal by the Torah.

In Exodus 12:15 [123], we find that the first (and only) command for removal uses the word 'seor',

"Seven days you shall eat 'matzot' (Strong's Hebrew entry 4682). On the first day you shall remove 'seor' out of your houses. For whoever eats 'chametz' (Strong's Hebrew entry 2557) from the first day to the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel".

Chametz Strong's Hebrew entry 2557 is also the root word used in Exodus 13:3 [124] and Exodus 13:7 [125] (laws of the Festival of Unleavened Bread).

When we consider 'seor' to be 'chametz' in the form of Strong's Hebrew entry 2557, we can deduce that the relevant 'leaven' to be removed is dough that has risen.

The word 'chametz' transformed over the course of scripture to refer to several different things. It seems to mean a way of treating and baking dough so that it transforms from a state of simply matzot. In this respect, it's important to note a few things about fermentation and how flour becomes transformed through metabolic processes [126].

There are several agents that can make food rise; yeast and bicarbonate of soda can make food rise but also carbonated drinks,

"In ancient times as well as in breads such as sourdough today, bread could be leavened just by allowing the dough to sit for a period of time until enough of the yeast in the air works its way into it and begins to ferment the dough" [127].

Vinegar, fermentation microbes and acids are all agents that can be involved in the creation of chametz. However, from the descriptions in Torah in terms of chametz Strong's Hebrew entry 2557, it seems that mere fermentation agents are not leaven for the purposes of removal from the home. Neither does baking have the effect of making dough leaven, as Lot baked his matza [128]. It has to be dough or bread that has become leavened, so that it becomes the type of bread that is considered chametz. There are also questions about the vegetable that makes up the dough. It is arguable that dough made of meal other than wheat, such as corn or rice, could also be prepared in a way so that it becomes 'chametz'. 

PREPARING FOR PESSACH

I have found it is necessary to begin preparing for Pessach several weeks in advance.

1. Removing Leaven from Our Houses

4 Weeks in Advance

This is supposed to be carried out on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread although people will usually need to stop buying foods containing leaven a few weeks in advance, to avoid waste. It's also an idea to identify foods we already possess with leaven in advance, so we can eat them before Pessach.

I begin by going through the food I store in my house and identifying which contain leaven. I then try to eat them in advance. Cleaning our houses makes sure there will be no traces of leaven in the house during Pessach. I clean the house several days before the Festival of Unleavened Bread and make sure all the remaining leaven is collected. Then, on the first day of the Festival, I throw the leaven out. All of these holy activities should probably be preceded with a blessing. 

2. Arranging the Holy Convocations

4 Weeks in Advance

We must arrange to attend two gatherings. These will have to be arranged in advance. Should these dates fall on a Sabbath, the practice has been to hold the convocation the day before [129].

Should We Have a Seder?

Although we are commanded to hold two holy convocations and festivals in memorial of the Pessach story, there is no direct mention of a 'Seder' [130]. The word 'chag' is often translated as 'feast' although there is scant mention of food being associated with chags in the bible. In Isaiah 30:29 [131] for example, we are told that chags are associated with gladness of heart and the playing of musical instruments. Deuteronomy 16:14 [132] suggests that chags are a time for rejoicing. This is important since most modern bible translations use the English word 'feast' [133]. It is most likely that the Seder originated from the practice of the memorial of the pessach lamb sacrifice although most of the current Seder traditions are not Torah-based.

3. The Pessach Food

3 Weeks in Advance

Pessach lamb

The obligation to eat sacrificial lamb is for each day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As mentioned, Deuteronomy 16:3 [134] tells us that the lamb is to be eaten with unleavened bread for 7 days.

Matza

We must either buy or make matza. If we are unable to buy it preprepared, it will be necessary to have some plain flour in the house so we can make it ourselves.

Do We Need to Eat Bitter Herbs?

There are in fact two sets of Pessach instructions; one for the Israelites as they are leaving Egypt and another for the generations every year after.

The commandment to eat the Pessach with bitter herbs is stated as part of the original Exodus commandments but not as part of the regulations for the years after. The only place the eating of bitter herbs appears in relation to the commandments for every year after is the 'Second Passover' (Numbers 9) [135].

4. Observe the Month of Aviv

2 Weeks in Advance

Pessach takes place on the 14th of Aviv, meaning there are two weeks prior to Pessach (and week one after) that should be 'observed' as a holy time. I currently observe this month by reciting a blessing and counting each day as it begins in the evening and playing the sound of silver trumpets (Numbers 10:10 [136]).

5. Counting of the Omer

Judaism currently connects the Pessach holidays with 'Shavuot' and 'Yom Habikkurim' [137]. Leviticus 23:9-22 [138] describe another religious holiday based on the firstfruits of the harvest. These passages say that the Israelites are to bring a sheaf of the firstfruits to the priest when they enter the land and reap a harvest.

"Shavuot is unique among the biblical festivals in that it is not given a fixed calendar date. Instead, we are commanded to celebrate it at the end of a 50-day period known today as the Counting of the Omer" [139].
Leviticus 23:15-16,21 [140] says,

"And you shall count from the morrow of the Sabbath from the day you bring the Omer [sheaf] of waving; seven complete Sabbaths shall you count... until the morrow of the seventh Sabbath shall you count fifty days... and you shall proclaim on this very day [Shavuot], it shall be a holy convocation for you".

"In late Second Temple times there was a famous debate between three different Jewish factions about the meaning of the Hebrew phrase "morrow of the Sabbath" and hence about the timing of Shavuot. All three factions agreed that the "morrow of the Sabbath" was associated with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, although the precise connection led to the festival being observed on different days" [141].

Unfortunately, I do not yet understand why the counting from the morrow of the Sabbath has been associated with the Festival of Unleavened Bread [142] so I an unable, at this point, to determine when the Counting of the Omer should be started.

Happy holidays!!

REFERENCES

1. Exodus 3:7: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/3-7.htm.

2. For why I write God's name as 'Yehova', please see: https://www.israelalia.com/g-ds-name/.

3. 'Raiti': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/raiti_7200.htm.

4. 'Ammi': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/ammi_5971.htm.

5. 'Hatzilo': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/lehatztzilo_5337.htm.

6. 'Mekom': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/mekom_4725.htm.

7. Exodus 3: https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/3.htm.

8. Exodus 5: https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/5.htm.

9. Exodus 7: https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/7.htm.

10. Exodus 12: https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/12.htm.

11. Although there is a month called Av in the Jewish calendar, there is currently no month with the name 'Aviv'. The same month is called 'Chodesh Ha'aviv' in Exodus 13:4 (https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-4.htm); 'Rosh Chodashim' in Exodus 12:2 (https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-2.htm), 'Chodesh Ha'rishon' in Leviticus 23:5 (https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-5.htm) and 'Nissan' in Esther 3:7 (https://biblehub.com/interlinear/esther/3-7.htm). It is currently referred to as 'Nissan' in the modern Hebrew calendar. The word 'aviv' means 'fresh heads of grain' or 'green ears' and refers to the time of the year when crops of grain begin to come to a head. See latest IsraelAlia post on the Month of Aviv: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=798834272279947&set=pb.100064601442948.-2207520000&type=3.

12. Deuteronomy 16:1: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-1.htm, "Observe the month of Aviv and keep the Passover to Yehova your God, for in the month of Aviv, Yehova your God brought you out of Egypt by night".

13. 'Pessach' means 'sacrificial lamb' (Leviticus 23:5: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-5.htm) and is different in meaning to the word 'Passover', which alludes to the passing of Yehova over Egypt. There are no references to an 'Angel of Death' in the Torah, see: My Jewish Learning, 'The Angel of Death': https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-angel-of-death/.

14. Exodus 12:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-3.htm.

15. Exodus 12:6: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-6.htm.

16. 'Haarbayim': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/haarbayim_6153.htm; which comes from the word, 'erev', see: https://biblehub.com/bdb/6153.htm.

17. Exodus 12:7: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-7.htm.

18. Exodus 12:8-11: https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/12.htm#8. They were to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs ('merorim': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/merorim_4844.htm). They could not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water but only roasted; its head, legs and inner parts. They could leave any of it until the next morning and had to burn any that was left before the morning. They had to eat it with their loins ('moten': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/mateneichem_4975.htm) girded ('gurim': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/chagurim_2296.htm, sandals on their feet, a staff in their hand and in haste ('chippason': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/bechippazon_2649.htm.chippason).

19. 'E'eseh': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/eeseh_6213.htm.

20. 'Shefatim': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/shefatim_8201.htm.

21. 'Bachatzi': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/bachatzi_2677.htm; 'halaylah': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/hallaylah_3915.htm.

22. Exodus 12:2: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-12.htm.

23. Exodus 12:29: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-29.htm.

24. 'Shamor': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/shamor_8104.htm.

25. Deuteronomy 16:1: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-1.htm.

26. "The Passover happens in the spring when the new ears of grain are just showing up in the fields" The In Season Lifestyle, 'Observe the Month of Aviv and Celebrate the Passover': https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/observe-the-month-of-aviv-and-celebrate-the-passover/.

27. Talmidei Yashua, 'The Aviv Calendar': https://www.messianic.org.nz/the-aviv-calendar; A Rood Awakening, 'Biblical Calendar Astronomically and Agriculturally Corrected': https://aroodawakening.tv/biblical-hebrew-calendar/.
28. See latest IsraelAlia post on the Month of Aviv: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=798834272279947&set=pb.100064601442948.-2207520000&type=3.

29. See latest IsraelAlia post on 1st Tishrei: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelAliaCovenant/photos/pb.100064601442948.-2207520000/6161109203904387/?type=3.

30. Leviticus 23:5: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-5.htm.

31. 'Zikaron': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/lezikkaron_2146.htm.

32. 'Chag': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/chag_2282.htm.

33. We are to remember the day we left Egypt for the rest of our lives (Deuteronomy 16:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-3.htm).

34. Deuteronomy 16:2: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-2.htm.

35. Deuteronomy 16:5-6: https://biblehub.com/bsb/deuteronomy/16.htm#5.

36. 'Erev': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/baarev_6153.htm.

37. 'Kevo': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/kevo_935.htm.

38. 'Hashemesh': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/hashshemesh_8121.htm.

39. Deuteronomy 16:6: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-6.htm.

40. Deuteronomy 16:7: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-7.htm.

41. Deuteronomy 16:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-3.htm.

42. Leviticus 23:5-6: https://biblehub.com/bsb/leviticus/23.htm#5.

43. Exodus 12: https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/12.htm.

44. Exodus 12:15: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-15.htm.

45. Exodus 13:6: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-6.htm.

46. Deuteronomy 16:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-3.htm.

47. Exodus 12:20: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-20.htm.

48. Exodus 13:7: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-7.htm.

49. 'Tashbitu' (which comes from the word, 'sabbath'): https://biblehub.com/hebrew/tashbitu_7673.htm.

50. Exodus 12:15: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-15.htm.

51. Exodus 12:19: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-19.htm.

52. Exodus 13:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-3.htm.

53. Exodus 13:7: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-7.htm.

54. Exodus 12:18: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-18.htm.

55. Deuteronomy 16:8: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-8.htm.

56. 'Kodesh': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/kodesh_6944.htm.

57. 'Mikra': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/mikra_4744.htm.

58. Exodus 12:16: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-16.htm.

59. Exodus 12:14: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-14.htm.

60. Exodus 13:6: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-6.htm.

61. Exodus 23:15: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/23-15.htm.

62. 'Yera'u' (appearing) https://biblehub.com/hebrew/yerau_7200.htm and 'reqam' (empty): https://biblehub.com/bdb/7387.htm and https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_7387.htm. See also Isaiah 55:10-11, which state, "as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth … so shall be my word that goes out from My mouth. It will not return to Me empty but will accomplish what I please and succeed in the purpose for which I sent it" (https://biblehub.com/bsb/isaiah/55.htm#10).

63. For example, 1 Samuel 6:3 states: "If you send away the Ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty but by all means return it to Him with a trespass offering" (1 Samuel 6:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_samuel/6-3.htm). In Ruth 3:17, we are told that Boaz gives Ruth six measures of barley to make sure she does not 'return empty-handed' to her mother-in-law (https://biblehub.com/interlinear/ruth/3-17.htm).

64. See also Exodus 12:26-27 (https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/12.htm#26) and Exodus 13:14-16 (https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/13.htm#14).

65. Exodus 13:8: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-8.htm.

66. Exodus 13:14: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-14.htm.

67. Leviticus 23:5-6: https://biblehub.com/bsb/leviticus/23.htm#5. See also: AlHaTorah, 'Pesach and Chag HaMatzot – A Two for One?': https://alhatorah.org/Pesach_and_Chag_HaMatzot_%E2%80%93_A_Two_for_One.

68. Exodus 12:14: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-14.htm.

69. 'Zikaron': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/lezikkaron_2146.htm.

70. 'Chag': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/chag_2282.htm.

71. We are to remember the day we left Egypt for the rest of our lives (Deuteronomy 16:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-3.htm).

72. 'Chag': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/chag_2282.htm; 'Hamatzot': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/hammatztzot_4682.htm.

73. Leviticus 23:5: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-5.htm.

74. See Exodus 12:15 onwards: https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/12.htm#15.

75. Leviticus 23:6: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-6.htm.

76. Chabad, 'Jewish Calendar April, 2024 Adar II – Nissan', 5784 https://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month.asp?tdate=04%2F21%2F2024.

77. 'Matza' https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_4682.htm.

78. Genesis 19:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/genesis/19-3.htm.

79. Genesis 18: https://biblehub.com/bsb/genesis/18.htm.

80. Genesis 18:1-2: https://biblehub.com/bsb/genesis/18.htm.

81. 'Lechem': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3899.htm.

82. Genesis 18:5: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/genesis/18-5.htm.

83. Genesis 18:6: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/genesis/18-6.htm.

84. 'Luush': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3888.htm.

85. 'Seah': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5429.htm.

86. 'Qemach': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_7058.htm.

87. 'Uggah': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5692.htm.

88. Genesis 18:6-7: https://biblehub.com/bsb/genesis/18.htm#6.

89. Genesis 18:22: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/genesis/18-22.htm.

90. Genesis 19: https://biblehub.com/bsb/genesis/19.htm.

91. Genesis 19:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/genesis/19-3.htm.

92. 'Mishteh': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4960.htm.

93. 'Matsa' entry 4682: https://biblehub.com/bdb/4682.htm.

94. Genesis 19:12: https://biblehub.com/bsb/genesis/19.htm#12.

95. Exodus 12:11: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-11.htm.

96. Exodus 12:16: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-16.htm.

97. 'Matza' entry 4682: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_4682.htm.

98. Genesis 19:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/genesis/19-3.htm.

99. 'Matsa' entry 4680: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4680.htm. See also Strong's Numbers 4000-4999: https://biblehub.com/strongs/e.htm.

100. 'Matzatz': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4711.htm.

101. 'Matsa' entry 4683: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4683.htm.

102. 'Chametz' entry 2557: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2557.htm.

103. Exodus 12:15: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-15.htm.

104. Exodus 12:33: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-33.htm.

105. Exodus 12:34: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-34.htm.

106. 'Batzsek': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1217.htm.

107. 'Chametz' entry 2556: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2556.htm. See also Strong's Numbers 2000-2999: https://biblehub.com/strongs/c.htm.

108. 'Misheret': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4863.htm.

109. Exodus 12:39: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-39.htm.

110. See 'aphah' (to bake): https://biblehub.com/hebrew/644.htm.

111. 'Chametz' entry 2556: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_2556.htm.

112. Psalm 71:4: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/psalms/71-4.htm.

113. Psalm 73:21: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/psalms/73-21.htm. "The sour taste in curd (also known as yogurt) is primarily due to the fermentation process involving lactic acid bacteria" Quora, 'Why is the curd so sour?' https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-curd-so-sour#:~:text=The%20sour%20taste%20in%20curd,Lactobacillus%20bulgaricus%20and%20Streptococcus%20thermophilus. Another reference to this combination of flavours (sweet and sour) is in Isaiah 7:22, which talks about honey and curds: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/isaiah/7-22.htm.

114. 'Chometz' entry 2558: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2558.htm.

115. Numbers 6:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/numbers/6-3.htm.

116. "[T]he art of vinegar making, also known as acetic fermentation. In short, it is a process in which alcohol is converted into acetic acid thanks to a bacteria group called Acetobacter, more particularly, A.aceti. That's the same bacteria that will turn wine into vinegar; in fact, the meaning of the word vinegar is sour wine", Garden Culture Magazine, 'My New Addiction: Vinegar Fermentation': https://gardenculturemagazine.com/vinegar-fermentation/.See also, Microbe Notes, 'Vinegar Fermentation: Definition, Process, Production': https://microbenotes.com/fermentation-of-vinegar/.

117. Morfix (English to Hebrew translator): https://www.morfix.co.il/en/sour.

118. 'Seor': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/seor_7603.htm. See also Strong's Numbers 7000-7999: https://biblehub.com/strongs/h.htm.

119. 'Chametz' entry 2557: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2557.htm.

120. Exodus 12:15: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-15.htm.

121. 'Sha'ar': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7604.htm.

122. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance 'sha'ar': https://biblehub.com/strongs/hebrew/7604.htm.

123. Exodus 12:15: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/12-15.htm.

124. Exodus 13:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-3.htm.

125. Exodus 13:7: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/13-7.htm.

126. "Fermentation occurs whenever flour or grain comes in contact with water. It may or may not be perceptible in the form of fluffiness or taste. Fermentation is the process of yeast (which occurs naturally in the air) breaking the sugars into alcohol, releasing carbon dioxide. Since fermentation begins immediately, it is impossible to have bread in which absolutely no "leavening" has occurred (outside a laboratory). For all practical purposes, fermentation ends when the product is cooked. Thus, for bread to be "unleavened," there has to be a defined maximum amount of time between when the flour comes in contact with water and when baking is completed. The Bible does not tell us what that time is", Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue, 'Leaven and Passover': https://www.bethimmanuel.org/articles/leaven-and-passover. "Fermentation is the process of sugars being broken down by enzymes of microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi have unique sets of metabolic genes, allowing them to produce enzymes to break down distinct types of sugar metabolites. Three basic forms of fermentation: [1] Lactic acid fermentation: During this anaerobic process, starches or sugars are broken down to produce lactic acid, among other waste products. Lactic acid bacteria not only protect foods from microbial spoilage, they protect the body from microbial disease. Lactic acid fermentation is commonly used in the production of foods like yogurt, pickles, and sauerkraut. [2] Ethanol (or alcohol) fermentation: In this type of fermentation, pyruvate molecules in sugars are broken down by yeasts into alcohol and carbon dioxide molecules to produce wine and beer, as well as bread. [3] Acetic acid fermentation: This oxidation process converts sugars from grains or fruit into sour tasting vinegar and condiments. Hence, the difference between apple cider and apple cider vinegar used for cooking", Lab Manager, 'The Science of Fermentation', https://www.labmanager.com/the-science-of-fermentation-1432#:~:text=Fermentation%20is%20the%20process%20of,distinct%20types%20of%20sugar%20metabolites.

127. Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue 'Leaven and Passover': https://www.bethimmanuel.org/articles/leaven-and-passover.

128. Genesis 19:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/genesis/19-3.htm.

129. See for example, Chabad, 'Why Shabbat Doesn't Cancel the Seder': https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/5085631/jewish/Why-Shabbat-Doesnt-Cancel-the-Seder.htm#:~:text=Given%20that%20Passover%20is%20so,Seder%20at%20its%20designated%20time.

130. Out of interest, 'seder' comes from the root letters (in Hebrew) S - D - R meaning 'order' and this is also the root word for 'siddur', meaning 'book', see Morfix (Hebrew to English translator): https://www.morfix.co.il/en/%D7%A1%D7%93%D7%A8and https://www.morfix.co.il/en/%D7%A1%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A8.

131. Isaiah 30:29: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/isaiah/30-29.htm.

132. Deuteronomy 16:14: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-14.htm.

133. Where 'chag' is habitually translated to mean 'feast', see: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_2282.htm.

134. Deuteronomy 16:3: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/16-3.htm.

135. Numbers 9: https://biblehub.com/bsb/numbers/9.htm. See also Note 19. The 'Second Pessach was a date set aside for those who were unable to celebrate the ordinary Pessach, due to being ceremonially unclean following contact with a dead body.

136. Numbers 10:10: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/numbers/10-10.htm.

137. See latest IsraelAlia post on Shavuot and Yom Habikkurim: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=610441841119192&set=pb.100064601442948.-2207520000&type=3.

138. Leviticus 23:9-22: https://biblehub.com/bsb/leviticus/23.htm#9.

139. Nehemia's Wall, 'The Truth About Shavuot': https://www.nehemiaswall.com/truth-shavuot.

140. Leviticus 23:15-16, 21: https://biblehub.com/bsb/leviticus/23.htm#15.

141. Nehemia's Wall, 'The Truth About Shavuot': https://www.nehemiaswall.com/truth-shavuot.

142. Nehemia's Wall, 'Aviv Barley in the Biblical Calendar': https://www.nehemiaswall.com/aviv-barley-in-the-biblical-calendar.