Episode 2 - Matzah: The Food That Sustained Us

Matzah (or matzo) is arguably the most Jewish Food there is, eaten annually for Passover, especially at the seder, the formal Passover meal. This episode explores the origins of matzah, what differentiates it from other flatbreads, how it has changed over the millennia, how important it was throughout Jewish history, and what are some of the popular Jewish Foods that are made from matzah.

Interview: Jennifer Abadi

Episode Notes

Definitions:
“Converso” – A Jew who converted to Christianity in Medieval Spain (either willingly or by force)
“Crypto Jew” – A Converso, or his/her descendants, who secretly maintained Jewish identity and practice
“Paschal Lamb” – a lamb that was sacrificed and eaten in honor of the Passover holiday to remember the Exodus
“Pasuk” – a sentence in the Torah
“Pesach” – the Hebrew name for Passover
“Torah” – the Jewish Bible, alternately used to describe just the Five Books of Moses or the entire Jewish Bible

Sources and links:
Exodus 12
Leviticus 23
Deuteronomy 16
On Sacrificing a Lamb in Egypt
John Cooper, Eat and Be Satisfied
YIVO: A Seat at The Table
David M. Gitlitz & Linda Kay Davidson, A Drizzle of Honey
Molly Lyons Bar-David, The Israeli Cook Book
Nicholas Stavroulakis, The Cookbook of the Jews of Greece
Jennifer Abadi