Knead it or not

Rabbi Yechezkel of Kuzmir often said: “The Jew is like the dough from which matzo is to be baked. As long as one works it and kneads it, it is fine. But if it is left alone unattended, it becomes forbidden chometz.”

Making matzo — the unleavened bread eaten on Passover — is no easy task. Under normal climatic conditions, flour mixed with water begins to ferment within eighteen minutes. Exceeding that time limit renders the dough chometz: a leavened foodstuff, impermissible for Passover use.

Sometimes the challenge is steeper yet; for if the water temperature goes above normal, the mixture leavens even sooner. matzo bakers have discovered, though, that the process can be controlled by continually manipulating the dough.

That is why they work it so furiously. By kneading the dough non-stop, they can pop it into the oven before it has a chance to rise. If they lose their focus for even an instant, however, they could jeopardize the whole enterprise.

Rabbi Yechezkel understood that the same is true of man. When pursuing intellectual, moral, and spiritual perfection, there can be no standing still. If you don’t continually ascend life’s mountainside, you are bound to slide down its slippery slope.

For a man of conviction, there can be no vacation from observing the commandments – no recess from God, Torah study, and deeds of loving-kindness. Like the baker who kneads his dough, the spiritual striver must apply himself each and every moment to the task the Almighty has set before him.

Fools believe you can succeed in life without effort. But the wise man knows better: if you care about life, you knead it!

May this be a wonderful Passover for all who are partners in the Covenant and a lovely, meaningful season for all mankind!

Rabbi Ginsburg is the spiritual leader of Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere.