The keeping of the Feast of Unleavened is commanded in Leviticus 23:6 and Numbers 28:17.  Although the Passover (14th of Abib) was to include unleavened (bread) as a symbol of Israel's haste to pack and get out of Egypt, the command to get all of the leavened goods out of the house for seven days did not begin until the 15th.  Technically, both leavened and unleavened could  be eaten at the Passover, then the next day would begin the Unleavened Feast Proper.  However, by the time of the New Testament days, the two feasts (Passover and Unleavened) had become "orally combined" with respect to the common language of the day due to the two feast's continuity.

     In other words, since unleavened bread was first eaten at Passover but this stipulation continued for seven days following ( the accompanying Unleavened Feast)) we note that Luke 22:1 reads, "Now the Feast of Unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover."  But the real distinction of the two feasts as being separate feasts is clear from a reading of the law. (Lev.23:5,6)   

  Faithful participants are reminded to NOT appear at the Feasts of Unleavened, Pentecost, and Tabernacles EMPTY before Yahweh Almighty. (Deut.16:16)  This means that we are to bring something of our increase for use in the Kingdom work.  It may be a financial gift, food for the meal, tape lessons or books to share, etc. --- but we are not to attend these feasts empty handed, or giving grudgingly ( Yahweh loveth a cheerful giver - I Cor.9:7)

    We are to eat no leavened food products during the Feast of Unleavened, nor to have leaven in our living quarters. (Ex.13:7)  But why?  Each feast day tells a part of the story of Yahweh's  redemption for Adam's family, which is why we are to celebrate the feasts throughout the year. Living the story of redemption ingrains it into our minds, hearts, and lives.  Passover begins the Christian experience as we have our sins (which lead to death) covered by the blood.  Next with the Feast of Unleavened we show our love for Yahweh  by remembering that we must not be servants to sin. (I Cor.5:8) but that if we love Him we keep His commandments. (Jn.14:15)  Leaven represents  types of sin and  wickedness, and "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." (Gal.5:9)  The Feast of Unleavened reminds us to get the sin out of our lives for the rest of the year.

   But the question is often asked --- "What constitutes leavened products?"  As best as can be presently understood compared to "Bible days", we may divide this matter into three topics.  1) Leavened bread   2) Leaven itself; that is -- leavening agents   3) gray area items which may or may not be prohibited.

    Before we continue any further let's make this point clear.  The Feast Days, including "Unleavened" are symbolic, although we are certainly commanded to observe them.  A concerned and heartfelt effort to observe the Feasts in the "spirit of the law" without being consumed by guilt feelings over what may be classified as "gray areas", is what is important.  Remember that it was the Edomite Jewish Pharisees who established trivial customs to apply to the law of Moses.  For this Christ readily criticized them.  They kept Jewish tradition to the utmost but Christ said they "were not of God". (Jn.8:47)  Let's not miss the obvious intent of the law, but let's not be consumed with anxiety by worrying over points that may never be clear.  We shall  cover some of the things about leavening of which we can be sure.  Then if you have doubt about some remaining food items, make the judgement call for your own house and stick with it.

    Leaven = Puffed Up = Sin    Grain leavening "puffs up", fruit leavening does not.  Keep this in mind and you'll find it to be a rule that covers most of the issues concerning the Biblical meaning of "leavening".

    The two Biblical qualifications of "leavening" is that it spreads by contact and "puffs up", which is seen most noticeably in the consistency and rising of dough.  This is what sin does.  It makes a person's ego grow big and elevates the individual to a "self god" full of self pride.  Paul says of incestuous fornication in I Cor.5:2 "And ye are PUFFED UP (contaminated by sin), and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you."  Also in I Cor.13:4, "Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy, love does not vaunt itself, is not PUFFED UP."

   A person who is "into himself" with a puffed up ego pride will not be compatible with Yahweh's Spirit. "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Ps.10:2)   "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov.16:18)   A bishop's qualification is that he is not "LIFTED UP" with pride. (I.Tim.3:6)   A person having such a puffed up ego is prone to be led of sin.  If not kept in check, this type of individual will have a corrupting influence within a group by contact with the several people.  "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." (I Cor.5:6)  This verse of Scripture is in direct reference to bread/grain leavening which both spreads by contact and PUFFS UP.

    It is within the connotation of a PUFFED UP SINFUL EGO that we realize exactly why FRUIT FERMENTATION IS NOT BIBLICAL LEAVEN with respect to food items during the Feast of Unleavened.  Fruit fermentation such as wines, even though types of yeast are active in the process, does not puff up the liquid, and is therefore outside the purview of Yahweh's symbolic meaning of PUFFED UP SIN.  Wine has no active fruit/yeast leaven remaining because of its high alcohol content and can't be used as a grain flour leaven.  Vinegar made from apples or other fruit is not leaven either. Risen bread, of course, is not consumed or found in the home during the feast.   Leavening agents that can be used to leaven grain products would be on the prohibited list during the seven day feast. In past centuries, a little leavened bread lump was kept in the kitchen as a leavening agent for making bread, along with several various leavening agents.  Here's a list of leavening agent's from the book "Were the Feast Days Abolished?", by Herald Hemenway, page 50.

"Yeast (but as mentioned above fruit wines not included); Leaven dough itself; Baking soda; Baking powder; Sodium bicarbonate; Bicarbonate of soda; Tartaric acid; Creme of tartar; Sourdough; Phosphates; Calcium phosphate; Alum; Sodium aluminum sulfate; Sugar fermenting bacteria for grains; Sour milk; Writer's paste; Some toothpastes; Beer (leavened barley, beer also used as leavening in some breads); Direct yeasts, molds; smuts; mushrooms."

Gray areas items

   Since there is plenty to eat during the week without falling mistake to a guessing game, it is up to the individual if they wish to err on the side of caution or not --- your call here.

Corn whiskey and related drinks (a leavened corn action usually used); All cheeses -- (Cheese comes from a grain eating animal and the consistency of the milk is changed by a spread of a leavening reaction.  The gas expands the cheese slightly but not near as much as with bread.  Many folks consider it enough of the same contact change to eliminate cheese for the week); Same with yogurts, sour cream, etc.  The contact leavening action is there, plus a billowy puffy texture results. 

False leaven (safe)

    These are food products that are "puffed up" but cannot be used as a contact spreading agent.  Mainly, they are just puffed up by air.  These include popcorn, beaten eggs, air puffed cereal (puffed rice, wheat).  They are "false leaven" and pose no problem Biblically speaking.  Malt is a false leaven as well.  Malt has an enzyme that changes starch into sugars, rather than changing sugars into carbon dioxide.  It does not fall into the gaseous leavening products.

     Hopefully this will give the Bible student a good start in observing the Feast of Unleavened.  If you have some well researched additions to the above, please email the website with suggestions.