“Rabban Gamliel said, ‘Whoever has not explained the following three things on Pesach has not fulfilled his obligation: Pesach, Matzah, Maror.”
The Hagadah explains the significance of Matzah — “Matzah — why do we eat this unleavened bread? Because the dough of our fathers did not have time to leaven, as it says: They baked the dough which they brought out of Egypt into unleavened bread…for they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay.”
After 210 years in Egypt, HaShem performed great miracles and liberated us from our bondage. Yet, at the time of our redemption, the Egyptians drove us out of their land. Why, when we were at the height of our power and prestige, were we forced out of Egypt so quickly the we didn’t have time for our dough to rise?
Since Egypt was a place of spiritual defilement, the Shechinah could not be revealed in such an impure environment.
Nevertheless, Hashem had an intense desire to reveal the Shechinah to Klal Yisrael. Therefore, as soon as the moment of redemption arrived, Hashem took us out of Egypt in great haste so He could illuminate the Light of the Shechinah upon Klal Yisrael!
When we eat Matzah on Pesach, we remember how much Hashem loves us and desires to be close to us. Like a man impatiently waiting to give a precious gift to his beloved, so too, Hashem yearned to shower us with His goodness, holiness, and peace.
As we await the final redemption, let us remember that HaShem longs to be reunited with His people. He yearns to bestow His Light on every Jewish Soul.
Therefore, when the redemption arrives, the Shechinah will dwell amongst Klal Yisrael once again, and “Our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with joyous song” (Tehillim 126).
(Based on the commentary of Ma’aseh Nissim on the Haggadah)
