Etymology of Chametz and Matzah

Question

Is there any etymological relation between the words chametz and matzah? They do share the מ and the צ in that order in common. But the letter ח is normally not a modifier in the Hebrew language.

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    The Rabbis teach that the difference between the letters ‘chet’ and ‘heh’ is the bar on the side that connects the ‘chet’ to the top whereas the ‘heh’ has an opening.

    The Rabbis also point out that the ingredients of chametz and matzah are basically identical except that the matzah is not allowed to leaven. They explain that the leavening of chametz represents the ego of a person. In the same way that chametz tastes delicious when it is fresh it also becomes stale and unappetizing after a while. So, too, a person who has an inflated ego may be charismatic and dynamic but, when you begin get to know them well, the magic wears off and their flaws become more and more apparent.

    Matzah, on the other hand is considered to be “humble”. It is not “puffed up” and it has no additives. Matzah represents humility. On Pesach we are reborn and we need to focus on what Hashem has given us and not to focus on ourselves. That is why we eat only matzah on Pesach to remind ourselves that we must first recognize our inner selves – to be able to stand in front of Hashem and to realize that everything that we have belongs to Him.

    It is only after we have done this that we can then start to recognize our own talents and strengths – in effect to recognize and get to know our own ego – and to use our traits to serve Hashem correctly. This is why on Pesach we eat only matzah and afterwards we go back to eating chametz.

    Matzah and chametz – two words that are so similar to each other in Hebrew. And yet so different.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team