Haggadah:Yachatz/1

Yachatz

Introduction

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Unknown Origins

The breaking the middle matzah at Yachatz, the hiding of the larger of its pieces, and the attempted "stealing" of the Afikoman, is one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of the Seder, especially among many of its younger participants.  The origins of this custom, however, are far from clear.  In contrast to most of the other sections of the Seder which have ancient roots and are mentioned already in the Mishna, there is no explicit reference to the institution of Yachatz in either Tannaitic or Amoraic literature.