Final answer:
Matzah is traditionally eaten during the eight-day Passover holiday to remember the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt. The specific time to start eating matzah is during the Passover Seder, with the breaking of the matzah and hiding the larger piece for later consumption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The eating of matzah on Passover is governed by Jewish law and customs. According to Jewish tradition, matzah is eaten during the eight days of the Passover holiday to commemorate the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt, which did not allow time for their bread to rise. The specified time to start eating matzah is during the Passover Seder, which takes place on the first night of Passover. During the Seder, the leader of the meal will break the middle matzah into two and hide the larger piece, known as the afikoman, to be eaten later. This is the first time the matzah is consumed during the holiday.