The answer is: Leaven

Exo 12:19

When we think about Passover, we might picture the Seder plate filled with symbolic foods, but at the heart of the celebration is the crucial role of leaven or yeast. According to Exodus 12:19, during Passover, it was (and still is) forbidden to eat anything leavened. Why? Because leaven represents corruption and decay, a striking contrast to the fresh start that the Exodus provided for the Israelites.

This commandment to eliminate leaven during Passover echoes throughout Jewish traditions. The week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread that follows is a significant reminder of the hasty exodus from Egypt, where there simply wasn’t time for bread to rise. What's interesting is that in Hebrew tradition, leaven isn't just about the ingredient itself; it's often a metaphor for sin or anything that puffs up and can lead one astray. In contrast, matzo, the unleavened bread eaten during this time, stands flat and humble—illustrating humility and simplicity, qualities valued in many spiritual teachings.

Delving deeper into history, it's noteworthy that similar practices of abstaining from leaven during spring festivals can be found in other cultures as well, which alludes to a broader human experience of purification and renewal. In embracing this symbolism, we too can recognize spaces in our lives needing a little spring-cleaning, clearing out the needless fluff that might hold us back from growth and liberation.