KOREKH / WRAPPING
The bottom matza is now taken. Each participant takes two pieces and between them places maror that has been dipped in ḥaroset. No blessing is said, since we have already said the blessings over the matza and maror separately.
It appears that there was a difference of opinion between Hillel and his contemporaries as to whether the matza and maror should be eaten separately or together. The view that they should be eaten separately holds that these are distinctive commands, neither of which should diminish or detract from the other. Matza symbolizes freedom; maror represents slavery. They have different tastes. They are opposite experiences. They do not belong together.
Hillel, however, thought otherwise, and out of respect for his opinion we do as he did as well. Hillel was guided by his understanding of the biblical verse that one should eat the Paschal offering “with matzot and bitter herbs” (Num. 9:11), suggesting that all three be eaten together. Perhaps, too, he was reminding us of the Jewish experience of history. Within the bitterness of slavery there was also the hope and promise of freedom. Within freedom, we are also commanded each year never to forget the taste of slavery, so that we should not take liberty for granted, or forget those who are still afflicted.