Early on during the Passover Seder we pick up the matzah tosh (pouch) which contains three pieces of matzot. We take the middle piece of matzah out and break it into two pieces. We place one piece back inside the matzah tosh, and place the other piece inside a white linen cloth. This piece of matzah is now called afikomen which means "that which comes after" or "dessert."

Next we have all the little children cover their eyes. When no child is peeking, dad hides the afikomen. Since it becomes dessert, we continue with the Seder and wait until it is time to eat our dessert to discuss the afikomen again.

When it’s time for dessert, the children get out of their chairs and search for the afikomen. Finally one child finds the afikomen.
When he/she does, the child gives it to dad. Dad gives the child a prize for finding the afikomen. Since the matzah is dessert it is broken into pieces and everyone eats a piece for dessert.

Why do we do this? What does it mean? Some Jewish teachers say that the three pieces of matzah represent the three fathers of our faith: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is true that there are three fathers of our faith but what do they have to do with Passover and why do we break Isaac, represented by the middle piece of matzah?

I’ve seen a few other explanations and none of them make sense to me, except for one taught in Messianic Judaism. Peter, Matthew, Mark and the original disciples were all Jewish. They continued living and worshipping God as Jews after they put their faith/trust in Messiah Yeshua. This means they continued celebrating Passover and all the other feasts of the Lord. This is also true of Messianic Jews all throughout history. I believe it is possible that a Messianic Jew created this custom or object lesson. Consider this …

The Three Pieces of Matzah
There are 3 pieces of matzah inside the pouch, each one distinct in itself, separated by a cloth - yet all together as one.
♦ God is echad (He is one, yet more than one). (Isaiah 48:12-16).

The Middle Piece of Matzah is Removed
The leader removes the 2nd or middle piece of matzah.
♦ Yeshua is usually mentioned 2nd, and listed in between the Father and Ruach (Spirit). He left heaven to come to earth.

The Middle Piece of Matzah is Hidden
The middle piece of matzah is broken into two pieces and one part is hidden in a white cloth or napkin.
♦ Yeshua died for us and was buried in a white linen burial shroud (Isaiah 53:9). He is hidden in the earth, just as the afikomen was hidden in the house.

The Hidden Piece of Matzah is Found
After the meal, the children search for the Afikomen (the hidden matzah). Once it is found it is no longer hidden.
♦ Three days after His death Yeshua rose from the dead! He was no longer "hidden" in the ground.

A Gift is Given to Whomever Finds the Afikomen
The leader gives a gift to the child who finds the Afikomen.
♦ Whoever finds Messiah Yeshua (the hidden afikomen) receives the greatest gift, which is eternal life in Yeshua (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Afikomen is shared by all
Everyone takes some matzah and eats a piece for dessert. The afikomen is shared by all people.
♦ Yeshua is not just for Jews anymore! Jews were “chosen” to bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth (or to share the Good News with all people).

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