“You must be vigilant regarding the matzos” (Shemos 12:17)

RASHI: AND You SHALL WATCH THE UNLEAVENED BREAD …Rabbi Josiah said: Do not read “את המַּצּוֹת”, the unleavened bread, but את הַמִּצְוֹת “[you shall watch] the commandments” — just as we may not cause the unleavened bread to become leavened by letting the dough remain in its raw state too long so we may not let the commandment become “leavened” by waiting too long before we perform it; but if it (a commandment) comes to your hand, perform it immediately (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 12:17:1).

Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Halevi Dunner (1913 –2007) wonders, “Rashi gives us two interpretations of the idea ‘ushmartem es hamatzos’, which are seemingly unrelated other than the similar spelling of ‘mitzvos’ and ‘matzos’.” He suggests that perhaps the two concepts have a connection and should be understood as one concept showing two different end results.

Chometz and matzah both start out with essentially the same dough. But by leaving one dough to rise before baking, it turns into bread, which does not seem related to matzah at all. It is astounding that without any action, there can be such a great transformation within the dough.

Rabbi Dunner goes on to tell us that this same idea can be applied in other areas of our ruchniyus. He gives an example of one coming late to davening. We may think, “What’s the difference if I come a minute or two late? Though I wasn’t one of the first ten people, my prayer is still the same!?” Rabbi Dunner explains that we all know that that is not true. The person who comes late is forced to change his pace so he can catch up to the rest of the congregation. That change in pace causes his prayers to be compromised: he might mumble some words, miss out some psalms from pesukei dezimra, and certainly won’t have the proper kavana that he usually has.

Chazal tell us that the chasidim harishonim would come an hour before the start of shacharis. They obviously felt that their prayers would not be the same without that preparation. This idea is true regarding other mitzvos as well.

One Erev Pesach I overheard a conversation, between Reuven, who was calm and organized, and his neighbor Shimon, who was anxious and disorganized. Shimon was bemoaning, “How will I make it to the seder?!” Reuven told him, “Don’t worry. The bottom line is that we all start the seder at the same time and somehow it always works out.” When I heard this conversation I interjected, “Though we may all start at the same time, we don’t all necessarily start in the same shape, and we are not all able to execute the seder properly.”

Doing things at their proper time creates an environment that can cause the mitzvos to be done as they were originally meant to be done, whereas under time pressure, details and precision fall by the wayside. It is not just a question of earlier or later, rather it becomes a qualitative question of better or less than better. I believe that the mitzvos of leil haseder, and altogether preparing for Pesach, is the place where the most physical preparation is done all year. Indeed, the result is that this mitzvah probably leaves the strongest impression on us and our children, and has been that way throughout the generations.

Is our approach, “Can I somehow fit it in?” We should really consider if we want our mitzvas to be of proper quality.

We can compare this to the difference between buying a suit off the rack, versus a bespoke suit. A mitzvah that is performed with deliberation, precision, and forethought, lifts the person and actually gives a better feeling about the mitzvah.  It becomes a perfect fit, like a bespoke suit. Whereas trying to squeeze a mitzvah into your schedule is like buying a suit off the rack. It may have an acceptable fit, but certainly doesn’t compliment the wearer as a bespoke suit can.

May we merit to perform all of our mitzvos with the proper alacrity, making them the best that they can be.