Leaven

S’or is distinct from chametz, another Hebrew word tied to Passover. While s’or is the leavening agent itself, chametz refers to any fermented grain product (e.g., bread, beer). During Passover, both are prohibited, but s’or is the root cause of chametz.

Exodus 12:15

• Shivat yamim shall ye eat matzot; but the first day ye shall put away se’or (yeast, leaven) out of your batim (houses); for whosoever eateth chametz from the first day until the seventh day, that nefesh shall be cut off from Yisroel.
  • Cause to cease - Shabbat the se’or

Exodus 12:17-20

• Chametz is not to be “eaten”, but se’or is not to be found int he house.
• Verse 20 we again read “You shall eat nothing leavened (machmetzet)
  • machmetzet - noun, that which leavens - not necessarily bread. Example: Beer, Whiskey

Exodus 13

• Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders
• Matzot shall be eaten shivat hayamim; and there shall no chametz be seen with thee, neither shall there be se’or seen with thee within all thy borders.