Expert: Ovadiah ben Avraham - 4/5/2007

Question
Hello Rav2B,
perhaps you can help me in my study. As we are in the midst of Pesach right now, I came across this question and wonder if you might point me in the right direction. We eat matzah now because we need to remember the exodus. However, in Shemot 12, before the exodus took place, we were told to eat matzah on the night before the exodus. Why is that? If we eat matzah to remember, why did the Jews who were preparing to leave have to eat it, BEFORE the final plague and BEFORE they left Egypt?

Thanks in advance.

Answer
Eli,
Thank you for the kind question! I think the answer lies in the sharp demarcation between verses 12 and 13. The blood on the doorposts was only done the one time and has never been repeated. Beginning with verse 13 we see how Israel is to recall the Exodus after it has taken place. The people would not have celebrated a 7-day Feast of Matzohs that year, only in subsequent years. Hope this helps! Shalom!