Sh’murah matzah – Ask the Rabbi
Q. What is sh’murah matzah?
A. There is a command (Ed. 12:17), “You shall watch over – ush’martem – the matzot”.
Of course all matzah is watched over throughout the process of manufacture to ensure that moisture does not cause fermentation. But in a sense this is only a basic, minimalist means of observing the commandment.
A higher level of observance emphasises that, especially for the Seder, extra care is taken and a deeper level of concentration is attained.
The watching over of special matzah of this kind begins from the time the grain is harvested.
Some use sh’murah matzah throughout the festival; some prefer hand-baked and not machine-made matzot.
