Messiah in Pesach Chapter 30
- Tzafun
- The broken Afikomen
#11. Tzafun
Tasting the Afikomen Tzafun (Out of Hiding):
After the meal, the half-matzah which had been “hidden,” set aside for the Afikoman (“dessert”), is taken out and eaten. It symbolizes the Paschal lamb, which was eaten at the end of the meal. Everyone should eat at least one and one-half ounces of matzah, reclining, before midnight. After eating the afikoman do not eat or drink anything except for the two remaining cups of wine. The Seder Leader calls out Tzafun. By this point in the Seder one of the children has found the “lost Afikoman” and a reward has been given. The leader then unwraps it and breaks it into small portions so that everyone present may partake of it. Tzafun means “hidden” and refers to the larger half of the matzah that was broken and hidden away (“buried”) during the Yachatz (fourth) step of the Seder.
The broken Afikomen:
Messiah ben Yosef used the symbol of the Afikomen to represent His body that was broken for the sins of the world.
The hidden portion that was hidden but now is found represents discovery of the Messiah who is the Lechem ha-Chayim (the Bread of Life). The broken bread represents the body of the Messiah that was broken for us on accursed tree that was configured in the Hebrew sign of covenant, purchase, ownership, and the union that represents the reconciliation of the Eternal Father with the children of Israel. When we eat this bread we proclaim that the Suffering Messiah is the Korban Pesach. This we continue to do until He returns to effect the complete Restoration of Israel as the Conquering Messiah ben David. Then we all recite:
“Blessed are You, Adonai Elohim, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.”
ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוהינו, מלך העולם, המוציא לחם מן הארץ.פ
“Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam, hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz.”
During Messiah’s early Seder with His disciples, He broke the Afikomen and gave each one present a piece. “And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.'” The Messiah is the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will “live forever.” And the bread that He has given for the life of the world is the flesh of His Word (His Body).
“Blessed are You, Adonai Elohim, King of the universe, who brings forth the true bread from Heaven.”
ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוהינו, מלך העולם, המוציא לחם האמיתי מן השמים.פ
“Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam, motzi lechem ha’amiti min ha’shamayim.”