Matza, An Expression of Talmud Torah

Lomdus, the analytical explanation of Talmudic principles is a fascinating intellectual endeavor, that often allows for understanding and appreciating certain halachic principles. For example, as we’ve discussed in the past, there are two components of the mitzvat Talmud torah. One, the מצווה חיובית, that is the obligatory requirement to engage in Talmud Torah at least once a day and once at night which can be accomplished simply by reading kriyat shma. And two, the מצווה קיומית, the constant mitzva we have to engage in Talmud Torah as much as we can. This analytical explanation of the components of the mitzva of Talmud Torah allows us to appreciate how we should utilize our free time. As a מצווה חיובית, we must make the time to learn the limited requirements. In other words, we must take the time, irrespective of how busy we are, to repeat kiryat shma at least once by day and once by night. As a מצווה קיומית, a commandment that is constantly hovering over us, we must ensure that whenever we have free time, we engage in the most noble of intellectual pursuits. This is reflected in the ברכת מצווה we may as well. Only in the morning do we recite the ברכת מצווה on תלמוד תורה and immediately recite some mishnayot thereafter so the ברכה is clearly being said on something. The rest of the day, whenever we engage in the מצווה קיומית there is no such obligation.

The mitzva of eating matza follows a similar presentation. Only on the first night of Pesach do we say the ברכת מצוה of אכילה מצה. Thereafter, even though possibly according to some Rishonim and definitely according to the Gr”a there is a מצווה קיומית to eat more matza, there is no more ברכת המצווה. The entire Peasch we have the opportunity to engage in an ongoing mitzva of eating matza.

This further demonstrates the difference between Sukkot and Pesach. While on Sukkot we are constantly engaging in new mitzvot and new opportunities, on Pesach we have but one focus. Simply, eating matza.

The parallel between the mitzva Talmud Torah and the mitzva of eating matza are no accident. The centrality of matza in our Pesach experience is analogous to our daily religious experience. Our mitzva of Talmud Torah is constant, always there waiting for us to reap its benefits. We will, then, engage in the wonderful opportunity to combine these two mitzvot tomorrow after Mincha. We are davening a few minutes early to give us more time to enjoy the mitzva of eating matza one more time before Pesach ends. And to compound that opportunity, we will also engage in Talmud Torah and end the holiday the way we hope to continue enjoying every day of the upcoming year.