Those that believe unleavened bread symbolizes Jesus

[Harel13]

I have some questions for those people - which I gather are mostly evangelical Christians - that believe that matzah (AKA unleavened bread), eaten by Jews on Passover, symbolizes Jesus. From what I understand, the puncture holes in the bread symbolizes Jesus's puncture wounds. The lack of yeast symbolizes his perfection. The lines symbolize Jesus having been whipped before the crucifixion.

As such, I was wondering:

1. What do round matzah symbolize?

2. What do square ones?

3. Why are there no triangular matzah - would this not be most symbolic of the trinity?

4. What is the significance of the matzah-making process from kneading to finished product being only up to 18 minutes?

5. Why isn't sugar added to the matzah? How about salt?

Edit: This is not about the communion wafer.

Thank you.

 

[pearl]

I have some questions for those people - which I gather are mostly evangelical Christians - that believe that matzah (AKA unleavened bread), eaten by Jews on Passover, symbolizes Jesus. From what I understand, the puncture holes in the bread symbolizes Jesus's puncture wounds. The lack of yeast symbolizes his perfection. The lines symbolize Jesus having been whipped before the crucifixion.

Never heard this one!

 

[VoidCat]

Never heard this one!

Me neither and I was raised by evangelical Christians.

 

[Harel13]

Never heard this one!

Me neither and I was raised by evangelical Christians.

It seems to be fairly new. Something I've seen Messianics on the internet talk about. Thought it might be more widespread among evangelicals, but maybe it's only by Messianics.

 

[sun rise]

3. Why are there no triangular matzah - would this not be most symbolic of the trinity?

There is or was such a thing Oh man. Triangular matzo?

 

[Harel13]

There is or was such a thing Oh man. Triangular matzo?

Well, I'll be. I suppose I'll alter the questions slightly: Why is this not the standard matzah?

 

[sun rise]

1. What do round matzah symbolize?

You got me with that question. Here's the answer: Round Versus Square Matzah: Ask the Rabbi Response

There's more to it, but the basic difference appears to be this:

This finally brings us to round versus square matzot. Round matzot, which are handmade, are generally made from wheat which had been guarded since the time it was harvested. This is strongly preferred for the Seder. (Make sure to buy from a reputable seller, with kosher certification printed on the box.) Square matzot, made by machine, are typically made from flour guarded only from the time it was ground. These are generally sold as “18 minute matzot” – meaning that although they were not specially-guarded from the time of harvesting, they were baked within the proper time limit and are guaranteed not to be chametz.

 

[Harel13]

You got me with that question. Here's the answer: Round Versus Square Matzah: Ask the Rabbi Response

There's more to it, but the basic difference appears to be this:

This finally brings us to round versus square matzot. Round matzot, which are handmade, are generally made from wheat which had been guarded since the time it was harvested. This is strongly preferred for the Seder. (Make sure to buy from a reputable seller, with kosher certification printed on the box.) Square matzot, made by machine, are typically made from flour guarded only from the time it was ground. These are generally sold as “18 minute matzot” – meaning that although they were not specially-guarded from the time of harvesting, they were baked within the proper time limit and are guaranteed not to be chametz.

Thank you, but the Jewish perspective is not the intent of this thread. We may well reach that, but first I'd like to see the Christian reasoning.

 

[sun rise]

Thank you, but the Jewish perspective is not the intent of this thread. We may well reach that, but first I'd like to see the Christian reasoning.

Sorry about that. I became interested in the questions and glossed over the intent.

 

[Harel13]

Sorry about that. I became interested in the questions and glossed over the intent.

All good.

 

[Wandering Monk]

Having spent some time in the Messyantic Movement, the usual connection to Jesus is that the matzah is striped and pierced. and they cite Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. They used the square matzot which do have the appearance of stripes after they are baked, and are also perforated. Leavening has been equated with the evil inclination in rabbinic literature and so, unleavened bread is supposed to represent the ultimate, sinless Tzaddik, Jesus.

Of course, there is debate about the Psalm 22 passage ('they pierced my hands and feet.") Also, matzot don't all have the same characteristics when you buy them. Some are not striped.

Another element with the matzah is the use of three pieces which are placed in a holder with three slots (the trinity don'tcha know.) During the Seder, one of the pieces is broken and part of the broken piece is wrapped in a cloth (burial clothes of Jesus) and hidden away (Jesus burial.) The hidden piece later becomes the subject of a search by the children at the Seder. When it is discovered, the children bargain with the host for a reward. When a reward is agreed upon the broken piece is returned to the host (the ascension of Jesus back to God.) This is supposed to represent Jesus' resurrection.

It is a great STORY, but sadly, it seems to be another example of cultural appropriation. It is also anachronistic since many of these elements didn't exist in Jesus' day, so there would have been little to work with in spinning the tale.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Nothing about it is Jewish.
The bread used at communion can be any sort of bread, including stuff bought in the super market. It does not need to be unleavened. The wafers used by most churches are dry biscuit for their longevity. and bought in bulk from church suppliers, there is no ritual associated with their content or production. Some churches now buy gluten free ones so minimise health problems.
Our church holds one service a week with nonalcoholic wine, for those with an alcohol problem.

The Christian church un like the Jewish faith has no dietary rules. Though some people like to keep up with a few old traditions during Lent. None are compulsory.

What ever is used is representative of the body of Christ.

 

[Harel13]

Nothing about it is Jewish.
The bread used at communion can be any sort of bread, including stuff bought in the super market. It does not need to be unleavened. The wafers used by most churches are dry biscuit for their longevity. and bought in bulk from church suppliers, there is no ritual associated with their content or production. Some churches now buy gluten free ones so minimise health problems.
Our church holds one service a week with nonalcoholic wine, for those with an alcohol problem.

The Christian church in like the Jewish faith has no dietary rules. Though some people like to keep up with a few old traditions during Lent. None are compulsory.

What ever is used is representative of the body of Christ.

I was not referring to the communion wafer.

 

[VoidCat]

Nothing about it is Jewish.
The bread used at communion can be any sort of bread, including stuff bought in the super market. It does not need to be unleavened. The wafers used by most churches are dry biscuit for their longevity. and bought in bulk from church suppliers, there is no ritual associated with their content or production. Some churches now buy gluten free ones so minimise health problems.
Our church holds one service a week with nonalcoholic wine, for those with an alcohol problem.

The Christian church in like the Jewish faith has no dietary rules. Though some people like to keep up with a few old traditions during Lent. None are compulsory.

What ever is used is representative of the body of Christ.

I am not sure @Harel13 is talking about communion...

 

[VoidCat]

I was not referring to the communion wafer.

@Terrywoodenpic
Ah there you go

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I was not referring to the communion wafer.

The Christian faith is only interested in Christian practices. It knows and cares nothing at all about Jewish practices and their interpretation.
It certainly does not associate them with Jesus.
Nor Jesus death with the Passover. Though the last supper was at that time.
I would be surprised if Jews do either.

 

[Harel13]

The Christian faith is only interested in Christian practices. It knows and cares nothing at all about Jewish practices and their interpretation.
It certainly does not associate them with Jesus.
Nor Jesus death with the Passover. Though the last supper was at that time.
I would be surprised if Jews do either.

So Messianics are not Christian in your view?

 

[pearl]

The bread used at communion can be any sort of bread

Not in the Catholic Church

 

[Deeje]

The Christian faith is only interested in Christian practices. It knows and cares nothing at all about Jewish practices and their interpretation.
It certainly does not associate them with Jesus.
Nor Jesus death with the Passover. Though the last supper was at that time.
I would be surprised if Jews do either.

I do not think you speak for all Christians here.

JW’s see the Passover as very relevant to the celebration of the Lord’s last supper. As a Jew, Jesus took the unleavened bread and wine of that Jewish celebration to symbolise his sinless body and blood of atonement because as John the Baptist acknowledged, he was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” It was the blood of the lamb that was put on the doorposts so that the “angel of death” would spare that Jewish household on Passover night.

Leaven in our scripture was a symbol of corruption, so the unleavened bread is a symbol of Jesus’ sinless condition as the “Son of God”, not a “son of Adam”.

Jesus broke the loaf, so the bread had no particular shape when offered to his disciples. Making it round has more to do with false worship than anything Jesus did.

*** Mod Edit ***

 

[Brickjectivity]

I have some questions for those people - which I gather are mostly evangelical Christians - that believe that matzah (AKA unleavened bread), eaten by Jews on Passover, symbolizes Jesus. From what I understand, the puncture holes in the bread symbolizes Jesus's puncture wounds. The lack of yeast symbolizes his perfection. The lines symbolize Jesus having been whipped before the crucifixion.

As such, I was wondering:

1. What do round matzah symbolize?

2. What do square ones?

3. Why are there no triangular matzah - would this not be most symbolic of the trinity?

4. What is the significance of the matzah-making process from kneading to finished product being only up to 18 minutes?

5. Why isn't sugar added to the matzah? How about salt?

Thank you.

For communion the (evangelical charismatic) church I grew up in used normal bread, not flat bread. The stated reason was that Christ was risen, but it was not anything we had to learn or believe. They just liked the idea of using risen bread. What we believed about the passover (Pesach) was that it was the lamb which symbolized Jesus, not the bread. We didn't care what the bread represented at the passover, and we didn't celebrate passover. It barely got any mention I think. The SBC affiliated Baptist church I later joined also used normal bread, and the Christadelphians also used normal bread.