Don't throw away that matzah

What do you do with all that matzah that you are left with after the Chag? To be honest, it isn't everyone's favorite food. We Jews eat most things without having to be told to do so, but we have to be commanded to eat matzah, perhaps because we wouldn't dream of doing so otherwise.

Looking for inspiration in the realms of AI, we asked ChatGPT for its advice on what to do with our leftover matzah -- and this is what it suggested:

🍯 1. Matzah “Baklava”

Layer crushed matzah with nuts, cinnamon, and honey (or date syrup), then bake and soak with syrup.

• Think Middle Eastern flavors
• The matzah softens and absorbs everything beautifully
• Surprisingly close to the real texture

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🧀 2. Savory Matzah Lasagna

Use softened matzah sheets instead of pasta.

• Layer with cheese, spinach, mushrooms, or even lentils
• Add tomato sauce or béchamel
• Bake like a regular lasagna

👉 Tip: briefly soak the matzah so it doesn’t stay stiff

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🍫 3. No-Bake Matzah “Cake”

Break matzah into pieces and layer with:

• Chocolate spread / ganache
• Whipped cream or coconut cream
• Coffee or milk to soften

Chill overnight → it turns into a sliceable cake.

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🌶️ 4. Matzah Nachos (!)

Break into chips and bake with:

• Olive oil + spices (paprika, cumin, garlic)
• Then add cheese, beans, salsa

You get a crunchy, slightly smoky snack that feels totally different from Pesach food.

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🧂 5. DIY Breadcrumb Substitute

Pulse matzah into crumbs and upgrade it:

• Mix with herbs, garlic, lemon zest
• Use for coating schnitzel, fish, or roasted veggies

It’s actually better than regular breadcrumbs if you season it well.

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🍯 6. Matzah Granola Clusters

Break into small pieces and bake with:

• Nuts, seeds, honey/silane, oil
• Optional: cinnamon, coconut

You get crunchy clusters for yogurt or snacking.

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🥣 7. Savory “Cereal” (very underrated)

Break matzah into a bowl and pour over:

• Hot soup (like onion or tomato)
• Or even olive oil + za’atar + yogurt

Kind of like croutons, but more rustic.

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🍦 8. Matzah Ice Cream Crunch

Crush and caramelize with sugar/butter (or oil + sugar), then mix into ice cream.

• Adds a toffee-like crunch
• Works especially well with vanilla or coffee flavors

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🔥 9. Stuffed Matzah Wraps

Lightly wet whole sheets until flexible, then roll like a wrap:

• Fill with hummus, roasted veggies, eggs, or tuna
• Pan-toast lightly

Feels almost like a tortilla substitute.

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🍳 10. Matzah Shakshuka Topping

Instead of bread:

• Break matzah over shakshuka toward the end of cooking
• Let it soak slightly but keep some crunch

Adds texture + absorbs the sauce.

The Message of the Haggadah

Following his devar Torah on the meaning and the significance of  Shabbat HaGadol, Rabbi Paul Bloom here shares with us a brief vort on the Haggadah, specifically the Ha Lachma Anya passage in which we read, “Now we are here: next year, may we be in the Land of Israel. Now we are slaves; next year, may we be free men.”

The Ya’avetz asks an insightful question: Why the repetition? If we’re praying to be in Eretz Yisrael, aren’t we already praying for freedom, for redemption? His answer is profound. First, we express our hope to be in the Land of Israel, even if the final redemption hasn’t fully arrived yet. We then pray for the complete redemption—both physical and spiritual—by the next Pesach.

This insight teaches a crucial lesson. Many Jews in the Diaspora justify their refusal to make aliyah, saying, “What’s so special about Israel today? I’ll go when Mashiach comes.” But Rav Ya’akov Emden teaches us that there is intrinsic merit in living in the Holy Land, even if things aren’t perfect yet.

There are three levels of exile: absolute exile, when Jews are far from Israel, and absolute redemption, when Mashiach comes. But there is a middle ground—living in Israel today is already a step closer to redemption, even if we’re not yet in the ultimate ge’ulah.

In Rav Emden’s time, traveling to Israel was incredibly difficult. Today, though, we have the opportunity to move to Eretz Yisrael freely. Let’s embrace that opportunity. If we make the effort to be in Israel, Hashem may just fulfill our prayer: “Next year, may we be free men.”

Sing your "Ha Lachma Anya" this year: some jolly tunes here, here and (especially for Moroccans) here.