Chametz and Matzah

The Seforim discuss the Chumra of Chametz and the concept of Ba’al Yiraeh U’ba’al Yimutzeh and they say that Chametz represents the yetzer Harah as the gemarah in Berachos says that the Yetzer Harah is called “SEHOR SHEB’ISAH”. We really have to internalize the concept of making a cheshbon hanefesh to rid ourselves of all vestiges of the yetzer harah.

Rabeinu Bechayah says that that’s the reason why you cannot have chametz on the mizbe’ach because the Mizbe’ach is to bring a Karban when we do an aveira because of the Yetzer harah and therefore the Mizbe’ach itself of course cannot be tainted with Chametz. Rabeinu Bechaya goes so far in his sefer Kad Hakemech to say that it’s the reason for Ba’al Yirah’eh AND Ba’al Yimutzeh which symbolize even Machshava of an Aviera have to be removed from our minds. And that is why there is a Chiyuv Kares for chametz because it symbolizes the yetzer harah in us which must be destroyed.

What is Matzah. The Seforim also discuss the idea that Matzah represents the mitzvohs. As Chazal say “Ushmartem es Hamatzos” represents “Ushmartem es Hamitzvos”.

The question is if chametz is so dangerous to us and we have to distance ourselves so far from it to the point where there is a Chiyuv Kares for Ba’al Year’eh Uba’al Yimutzeh why would the Torah tell us to bake Matzos. Let the Torah tell us to eat potatos or something else?? Could you imagine if there was only a chiyuv Ba’al Yeraheh Uba’al Yimutzeh in the Torah but there was no Chiyuv to eat Matzah what people would say if they saw you baking and eating Matzah on Pesach???? What would the Briskers do? Would they not consider you a sheigatz if you ate matzah which is essentially literally seconds away from Chametz De’oraisah?

It seems obvious that the answer is that this is exactly what the Torah wants us to do. It would be very easy to run away from Chametz to the other side of the world and only eat vegetables on Pesach and seemingly also easier to run away from the yetzer harah and stay far away from any semblance of Olam Hazeh but the Torah is teaching us a way of life to be extremely Makpid on chametz on one hand but to eat matzah on the other hand. We are being forced to get as close to the border as possible without crossing the line. This requires constant Shimur and that is pshat Ushmartem es Hamatzos. The torah requires constant vigilance. We must live on the edge. 

Chazal tell us Va’avadtem Bechal Levavcha- with both the Yetzer Harah and the Yetzer Tov. Which means we have to turn the Yetzer Harah into a tool for good,  that is the symbol of the matzah.

The Pasuk says “Va’achrei chen Yatzoo Berechush Gadol” That Bnei Yisrael took all the riches out of Egypt. Isnt it very strange that this is what happened and this is what the Torah is telling us? Doesn’t it make us look petty? I think that it is the same idea. Bnei Yisrael took Mitzraim and their possesions and turned the wealth into a force of good in the world rather than using it for whatever Mitzraim used their riches for.  This is the messagethat all the potential Chametz has to be conscientiously turned to Matzah.