Messiah in Pesach Chapter 4
- Message of the Ten pieces of bread
- Rebirth of Spring
- Sacrifice of the Humble Man
Message of the Ten pieces of bread:
The number Ten symbolizes our sanctification (separation) unto God.
Since the house is supposed to have been thoroughly cleaned by the night before Passover, there is some concern that making a blessing over the search for chametz will be unsuccessful (bracha levatala-a bracha said in vain) if nothing is found. Therefore, *Ten pieces of bread smaller than the size of an olive are hidden throughout the house in order to ensure that there is chametz to be found (*Ten is a symbol of sanctification). This is done because it is important that the narrative of the prophet Isaiah be accurately represented, “all have sinned” (generated chametz in their house) and come short of the glory of the Holy One. The truth is that without the atonement we are all unfit for fellowship with Adonai. Due to our moral and spiritual uncleanness we have all sinned and we are all in need of a Savior. With Messiah’s sacrifice our sin is taken off of us and put on our Strong Redeemer, the only Sinless One. Messiah is the Lamb of God who ‘takes away the chametz of the World’ (cf. article, “Messiah in Chag HaMatzot“).
Rebirth of Spring:
Pesach is referred to as the Spring Festival (חג האביב-Chag heAviv) and the Time of Our Freedom (זמן חירותנו -Z’man Cheiruteinu). Spring occurs after the death of winter. The scattered seeds of the fall, nurtured in the womb of the earth, are transformed under the life giving rays of the sun and are reborn in the form of a new harvest. The first ripe sheaf of barley is thereafter presented to the Lord.
Sacrifice of the Humble Man:
Barley is the Bread of Humility. It is the Poor Man’s Bread. Each spring the people of Israel celebrate anew our national birthday. The cutting down of the dedicated barley sheaf on the Sabbath (beginning Friday just after sunset, ending Saturday just before sunset), prophetically speaks of the “cutting down” of the Messiah, the perfect Humble Man.