Spiritual House Cleaning for Passover

Passover is a time to receive liberating Divine energy and blessing from above.

While in Egypt, we looked to G‑d for assistance to release us, for one who is bound cannot release one’s self. So, how can we become a vessel for this Divine blessing today?

1- Empty our souls and homes of arrogance using chametz as a symbol of “puffy arrogance”.

2- Fill our souls with humility using matza “flat and humble”.

3- Express our spiritual freedom by hosting (sharing bread) and generally giving, caring, supporting, and offering hospitality during the year with the aim of transforming the arrogance to humility with bread.

Jewish holidays originate with an initial event that evokes a powerful spiritual infusion from G-d. Therefore, every year on that same Hebrew date we have access to that spiritual explosion that originally occurred. On Passover, liberation; on Shavuot, spiritual revelation through Torah; on Sukkot, Spiritual protection and closeness.

The key to being an open vessel to receive the spiritual liberation on Passover is to remember that our purpose is to contain. If a barrel feels that it must give forth we call this a leak. If the container is able to contain, it is a blessing for the liquid and a blessing for the barrel.

Practically speaking, the time of receiving the Divine expression (blessing), is not the time for self- expression. They are two competing forces. Just as we need to love ourselves before giving love to others.

After receiving the blessing, it is only then that we have a responsibility to grow. But while we are receiving we must remain open and intent upon the blessing we are retaining.

Chametz represents self expression. It is the rising of the dough and like other tools in our world, it is inherently neutral. For everything there is a season and a time under heaven. It is not the real substance, rather the self expression we need once we have received the blessing. If it is blocking the blessing that is directed to us, it can be a negative thing, if it is self-expression of love and giving after the receipt of blessing, it can be positive. Which is heavier, a pound of bread or a pound of Matzah? The pound of bread takes up more space, but it is merely the presence of air. This is the person’s ego in a negative way; arrogance. During Passover, not only are we not to ingest this interfering substance, but we are to thoroughly eradicate it to maintain an open spiritual channel with G-d. It may not be found in our domain nor are we to possess it.

How do we rid ourselves of arrogance? The concrete manifestations (in the physical world) of eliminating arrogance are the Mitzvot connected to getting rid of Chametz. Chametz is a general term for all food and drink made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives, which is forbidden on Passover because it is leavened. So, ready or not, here it comes... Once again it is time for the annual pre-Passover house-cleaning. It is time to move the furniture and scrub the chairs, line the counters and scour the fridge. This cleaning and searching the house and saying the blessings, nullifies the Chametz in our heart, as does burning it the day before Passover.

According to the Kabbalistic understanding, everything in the physical world is a reflection of a spiritual element. Conversely, the physical realm has an impact on what occurs, and what spiritual energy is produced in the spiritual realm.

Each Mitzvah is the concrete, actual form of the spiritual concept. This is the reason that Mitzvot must have a physical component. Without it, the spiritual level is left void and meaningless. It is counter-intuitive, but the physical realm is the generator of Divine energy.

So, Chametz does not merely teach us a lesson about self expression and ego. It is a real entity that prevents the Divine blessing from being realized. The purpose of the Mitzvah of getting rid of Chametz is to allow us to take full advantage of the blessings that Passover bestows. Then it is our task to be the best givers we can all year.