What is Unleavened Bread?

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The observance of Passover (Pesach) is a profound biblical practice commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian slavery. The command to eat unleavened bread during Passover is not merely a historical tradition but also holds deep theological significance, particularly in its connection to Yahusha (Yeshua).

Historical and Scriptural Basis

The Israelites were commanded to eat unleavened bread as a symbol of their swift departure from Egypt, where there was no time for the dough to rise. This practice is rooted in several key scriptures:

• Exodus 12:8: “They are to eat the meat the same night; they are to eat it roasted over the fire, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”
  This verse specifies the components of the Passover meal, highlighting the importance of unleavened bread.

• Exodus 12:15: “For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.”
  This command stresses the removal of leaven from homes during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

• Deuteronomy 16:3: “Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt.”
  This passage connects the practice of eating unleavened bread with the commemoration of the Exodus.

• Exodus 29:2: “With unleavened bread, cakes made with oil, and wafers made with oil—of fine wheat flour you shall make them.”
  Additional instructions for using unleavened bread in offerings are provided here.

• Numbers 9:11: “They are to eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”
  This verse reiterates the importance of unleavened bread during Passover.

To this day, Jewish communities continue to observe this tradition, reflecting on the historical and spiritual significance of their liberation from Egypt.

Symbolism of Leaven

In the Bible, leaven is used symbolically to represent sin and its corrupting influence. Just as a small amount of leaven can spread through dough, so can sin permeate and corrupt individuals, communities, and nations:

• Galatians 5:9: “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
  This verse illustrates how even a small amount of sin can affect the entire body of believers.

• 1 Corinthians 5:6-7: “Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.”
  Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to encourage believers to purify themselves from sin, connecting this to Yahusha’s sacrifice.

• Matthew 16:6: “Be careful,” Yeshua said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
  Yahusha warns against the corrupting influence of false teachings and hypocrisy, which can spread like leaven.

Connection to Yahusha

The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the broader Passover observance find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Yahusha (Yeshua). Yahusha’s sacrifice is directly linked to the Passover lamb, embodying the ultimate deliverance from sin and death:

• John 6:51: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
  Yahusha identifies Himself as the living bread, symbolizing His sacrificial role in providing eternal life.

• 1 Corinthians 5:7-8: “Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.”
  Paul explicitly connects Yahusha’s sacrifice to the Passover Lamb, urging believers to live a life free from the “old yeast” of sin.

• Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of Elohim is eternal life in Messiah Yahusha our Master.”
  This verse highlights the consequence of sin and the redemptive gift of eternal life through Yahusha’s sacrifice.

• 1 Peter 1:18-19: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Messiah, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
  Peter describes Yahusha as the “lamb without blemish,” directly tying His sacrifice to the Passover lamb imagery.

Theological Implications

The use of unleavened bread during Passover symbolizes both the purity required of believers and the historical significance of the Exodus. It also foreshadows the purification and redemption brought about by Yahusha. By partaking in unleavened bread, believers reflect on the freedom from sin and the new life available through Yahusha.

Embracing the Transformation

Embracing Yahusha as the Passover sacrifice involves more than a ritual observance; it requires a transformation of the heart. Repentance, embracing Yahusha’s sacrifice, and aligning with Elohim’s commandments lead to liberation from the consequences of sin. This transformation aligns believers with the purity symbolized by unleavened bread and ensures their participation in the promise of eternal life.

By understanding and observing these practices, believers honor both the historical and spiritual dimensions of Passover, recognizing Yahusha’s central role in their redemption and the fulfillment of the Passover feast’s deeper significance.

How to Keep Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot): Written Torah Instructions

1. Timing of the Feast

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th day of the month of Aviv (Nisan) and lasts for seven days. It immediately follows Passover.

• Exodus 12:15: “Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses; for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.”

New Testament Reference: Yahusha's crucifixion and resurrection occurred during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, signifying the removal of sin through His sacrifice.

• Luke 22:1: “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.”

2. Removal of Leaven

Prior to the beginning of the feast, all leaven (chametz) must be removed from homes. This symbolizes the removal of sin.

• Exodus 12:19: “For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses; since whoever eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land.”

New Testament Reference: The New Testament refers to leaven as a symbol of sin or corruption. Believers are called to remove the “leaven” of sin from their lives.

• 1 Corinthians 5:6-7: “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

3. Eating Unleavened Bread

During the seven days of the feast, only unleavened bread is to be eaten.

• Leviticus 23:6: “And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to YAHUAH; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.”

New Testament Reference: Yahusha used unleavened bread during the Last Supper, which is commemorated by believers as the "breaking of bread" in remembrance of His body.

• Matthew 26:26: “And as they were eating, Yahusha took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’”

4. The Sacrificial Offerings

During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the people were to offer specific sacrifices to YAHUAH.

• Numbers 28:17: “On the fifteenth day of this month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work. And you shall offer a burnt offering to YAHUAH for a sweet aroma: two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs in their first year.”

New Testament Reference: The ultimate sacrifice, Yahusha’s crucifixion, aligns with the symbolism of unleavened bread, representing His body given for us.

• Hebrews 10:12: “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of YAHUAH.”

5. Future Fulfillment

The Feast of Unleavened Bread will be observed in the future Kingdom, as a part of the ongoing worship and remembrance of YAHUAH’s deliverance.

• Zechariah 14:16: “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, YAHUAH of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”

New Testament Reference: The celebration of Yahusha's victory over sin is commemorated through the feast of Unleavened Bread, which will continue in the future Kingdom.

• Revelation 19:9: “Then he said to me, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true sayings of YAHUAH.’”

Conclusion

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a biblically mandated festival that involves eating unleavened bread and removing leaven from homes. This feast symbolizes the removal of sin and the purity that believers are called to embody. The feast also includes specific sacrificial offerings, which find their ultimate fulfillment in the sacrifice of Yahusha. The observance of Unleavened Bread is a reminder of Yahusha’s sacrifice and serves as a symbol of the believer's ongoing journey towards holiness.

The Promised Land draws near! Amein Alleluyah.