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As we mentioned above (section 5), there are three matzot in front of the Seder leader. The top and bottom ones remain whole, and will later be used for the mitzva of eating matza (section 11 below). The middle matza is broken in two. Why?
The Torah calls matza the bread of poverty (Deuteronomy 16:3). Therefore, it is appropriate to use a broken piece of matza as the poor are accustomed to eat broken pieces of bread. The matza is broken right before Maggid so all the participants can see the damaged half while reciting Maggid, a tale of poverty and enslavement.
The larger of the two broken pieces is set aside to be used as the afikoman. It will be eaten at the end of the meal in commemoration of the Paschal offering (section 14 below).
In many families, it is customary for the Seder leader to hide the afikoman and for the children to search for it. The child who finds the afikoman returns it at the end of the meal in exchange for the promise of a gift. This custom helps children stay awake for the whole Seder. Some adults promise a gift to every child who stays up until the afikoman is eaten, independent of the hiding and finding.
