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 and meaning of the phrase "לֶחֶם עֹנִי," the term used to describe matzah in Devarim 16, Bavli Pesachim writes:
According to this explanation, using just a piece of a matzah, rather than a whole, symbolizes that it is "poor man's bread". The gemara does not connect this statement with any practical application and never mandates that one is therefore required to breaks one's matzah before eating it. Might this concept, nonetheless, serve as the basis for (or, at least, relate to) the custom of Yachatz? However, if there is a connection, why is the matzah broken before reciting Maggid, rather than right before fulfilling the mitzvah of matzah?
