The Afikomen

You are going to LOVE this one…

As the generations passed from the first exodus Passover, the Jews continued to celebrate as they had been told.  However, some traditions were added and changed a bit.  Of particular beauty to us, as believers is the Afikomen. 

I first read of this in Marv Rosenthal’s “The Feasts of the Lord,” a rich book, full of beautiful illustrations and spiritual meat.  Mr. Rosenthal has a very interesting personal history, but important for our study here is his Jewish heritage and lifelong study.  He knows whereof he speaks.

In his discussion of the Afikomen, we are introduced in a small unassuming paragraph that simply states that during the preparation for the Passover meal, 3 matzahs are placed in a specially embroidered bag with 3 pockets called the matzah tash. As a reminder, the matzah is unleavened bread. When it is prepared, no yeast is added and therefore stays flat. In order for it not to bubble in the baking process, it is PIERCED!

So, there are 3 unleavened matzahs in a special bag on the table at the beginning of the seder.  Early in the meal, something amazing happens. Listen carefully to the description Mr. Rosenthal provides:

“Next, the leader removes the middle matzah from the linen bag to break it in half. Half is replaced, and half is carefully wrapped in a linen napkin and hidden away in the house while the children cover their eyes. It reappears later in the service to illustrate a very important truth.” (page 56)

Let me repeat that in case you missed it… the middle matzah (Father, SON, and Holy Spirit, perhaps?), the unleavened (sinless, as leaven is biblically symbolic of sin) and PIERCED bread is broken, wrapped in linen and hidden away!!

But wait! There’s more!

“After the meal, the children are sent out to find the broken half-matzah that was wrapped and hidden away. It is known as the Afikomen. The children search high and low with great excitement for they know that the one who finds it will receive a reward. From a remote corner of the house, shouts of delight announce that the desired treasure has been discovered. Rabbinic law requires that a small piece of the Afikomen be broken off and eaten by everyone present at the service as a reminder of the Passover Lamb.”

The afikomen, the pierced, unleavened bread is broken (death), wrapped in linen and hidden away (burial), and brought back (resurrection).

Ok, now hold on to your socks. 

We are reminded of the Lord’s words that night, “He broke the bread, gave it to His disciple’s and said, ‘Take and eat, this is my body.’” (Mat 26:26) He also said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53).

In 70 AD, the Roman armies destroyed the temple in Jerusalem, thereby ending the sacrificial system. According to Mr. Rosenthal, “Rabbinic tradition holds that the afikomen now represents the lamb, and therefore everyone must eat of it.”!!!

No really, there’s MORE!

When the children find the afikomen, they all proclaim the word “Afikomen!” However, it is the only non-Hebrew word in the Seder. It is Greek. It means – “I CAME.”

Is that not the most amazing thing EVER?! It’s right there in the Passover, “I came!” How much plainer can He make it? He IS the afikomen! GLORY to God!

He makes many more interesting observations regarding the afikomen, one in particular is that “Moroccan Jews save a piece of the afikomen for use when traveling at sea throughout the year. They believe that if a piece of the afikomen is tossed into the stormy waves, it will still the waters.” (page 61)