Haggadah:Yachatz/1
Yachatz
Introduction
Unknown Origins
"Yachatz" (the breaking the middle matzah before Maggid and the leaving of the larger of its pieces to be eaten as the Afikoman), is one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of the Seder, especially for 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 found already in the Mishna, there is no explicit reference to the institution of Yachatz in either Tannaitic or Amoraic literature. Interestingly, Rambam's Mishneh Torah also betrays no awareness of the existence of such a custom. What, then, is the source for the tradition, and what is the significance of the practice?
The Way of the Poor...
When discussing the nature of "לֶחֶם עֹנִי," the term used to describe matzot in Devarim 16, Bavli Pesachim writes:
According to this explanation, using just a piece of matza, rather than a whole, symbolizes that it is "poor man's bread". The gemara does not connect this statement with any practical application. Nonetheless, one wonders if , and never mandates that one is therefore required to split a matza in two. Nonetheless,
