No Gloating

The theme of Pesach is the prohibition of eating Chametz. Specifically, this refers to the dough rising and turning into leaven. Matza is referred to as unleavened bread.

The Rabbis added that we are to be extremely careful not even to have the smallest amount, a משהו, mixed with our special Passover food.

The idea behind this is that Matza teaches humility, and the Chametz is seen as haughtiness. By reminding ourselves that all of our success is from Hashem, we become a vessel to receive His abundant blessings.

The Pesach story teaches us that we are not to gloat over our victory. This is why we only say a full Hallel on the first day of the holiday. We remember that the Egyptians were also G-d’s children.

This is particularly applicable today when we are witnessing blatant miracles almost daily. The demise of the evil, tyrannical Iran, is quite incredible. Here, too, we are to find a balance between giving praise and recognition for Hashem’s abundant kindness, but we must not gloat of our impending victory.

We should also find a balance between giving recognition to the bravery and skill of our Air Force and army, while not forgetting that their success is due to Divine intervention.

The message of Chametz and Matza is loud and clear. As long as we maintain our humility, we will not be led astray from thinking that we are totally in control of our destiny. Everything comes from G-d, and we must not forger it.