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Exodus 12:4 - Sharing the Pesach sacrifice

Exodus 12:4 - שמות 12:4

Hebrew Text

וְאִם־יִמְעַט הַבַּיִת מִהְיֹת מִשֶּׂה וְלָקַח הוּא וּשְׁכֵנוֹ הַקָּרֹב אֶל־בֵּיתוֹ בְּמִכְסַת נְפָשֹׁת אִישׁ לְפִי אָכְלוֹ תָּכֹסּוּ עַל־הַשֶּׂה׃

English Translation

and if the household be too little for a lamb, let him and his neighbour next to his house take it according to the number of the souls; according to every man’s eating shall you make your count for the lamb.

Transliteration

Ve-im-yimat habayit mihiyot miseh velakach hu ushcheno hakarov el-beito bemichsat nefashot ish lefi ochlo tachosu al-haseh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־יִמְעַ֣ט הַבַּ֘יִת֮ מִהְי֣וֹת מִשֶּׂה֒ וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל־בֵּית֖וֹ בְּמִכְסַ֣ת נְפָשֹׁ֑ת אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י אׇכְל֔וֹ תָּכֹ֖סּוּ עַל־הַשֶּֽׂה׃
וְאִם־יִמְעַ֣ט הַבַּ֘יִת֮ מִהְי֣וֹת מִשֶּׂה֒ וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל־בֵּית֖וֹ בְּמִכְסַ֣ת נְפָשֹׁ֑ת אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י אׇכְל֔וֹ תָּכֹ֖סּוּ עַל־הַשֶּֽׂה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 12:4) is part of the instructions given to Bnei Yisrael regarding the Korban Pesach (Paschal Lamb) before their exodus from Mitzrayim (Egypt). The Torah outlines how the lamb should be shared among households, ensuring that none of its meat goes to waste.

Explanation of the Text

The phrase "וְאִם־יִמְעַט הַבַּיִת מִהְיֹת מִשֶּׂה" ("and if the household be too little for a lamb") teaches that if a household is too small to consume an entire lamb by themselves, they should join with a neighboring household. Rashi explains that this prevents בִּזּוּי קָדָשִׁים (disrespect to holy things), as leftover sacrificial meat would become invalid and wasted if not eaten in time.

Key Halachic Insights

  • Sharing the Korban Pesach: The Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 2:1) rules that the lamb must be consumed by a group large enough to finish it, but not so large that each person receives less than a kezayit (olive-sized portion). This ensures proper fulfillment of the mitzvah.
  • Neighborly Cooperation: The phrase "וּשְׁכֵנוֹ הַקָּרֹב אֶל־בֵּיתוֹ" ("his neighbor next to his house") emphasizes forming a חֲבוּרָה (group) for the korban. The Talmud (Pesachim 89a) discusses how neighbors should join together to avoid waste.
  • Proportional Consumption: The words "לְפִי אָכְלוֹ" ("according to every man’s eating") teach that the division should account for each person’s appetite, ensuring fair distribution (Ibn Ezra).

Midrashic Perspective

The Midrash (Mechilta de-Rabbi Yishmael) highlights that this mitzvah fostered unity among Bnei Yisrael before Yetziat Mitzrayim. By sharing the korban, families bonded in preparation for their redemption, reinforcing the principle of כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה ("all Jews are responsible for one another").

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 89a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the Passover sacrifice, specifically how to determine the number of people required to share a single lamb.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 12:4 mean when it says 'if the household be too little for a lamb'?
A: This verse refers to the Korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) in Egypt. If a household was too small to consume an entire lamb by themselves (as required for the mitzvah), they were instructed to join with a neighboring household to share one lamb. This ensured that no part of the sacrifice would go to waste, as it had to be fully consumed (Rashi on Exodus 12:4).
Q: Why was it important to count people 'according to every man’s eating' for the Passover lamb?
A: The Torah emphasizes careful planning so that the Korban Pesach would be fully eaten without leftovers. Each person's portion was calculated based on how much they could reasonably consume. This teaches the importance of avoiding waste (bal tashchit) and respecting the sanctity of the sacrifice (Mechilta on Exodus 12:4).
Q: How does the concept of sharing a Passover lamb apply today?
A: While we no longer bring the Korban Pesach, this verse teaches timeless values: 1) Community - joining with others to fulfill mitzvot, 2) Planning - ensuring we have what we need for holidays, and 3) Avoiding waste - being mindful with food, especially at sacred times (Rambam, Hilchot Korban Pesach 1:4).
Q: What does 'his neighbor next to his house' teach us about relationships?
A: The Torah encourages reaching out to those physically closest to us first when forming groups for mitzvot. This emphasizes building strong local communities and showing consideration for neighbors in religious observance (Talmud Yoma 54a).
Q: Why was the Passover lamb specifically chosen for this mitzvah?
A: The lamb was significant because the Egyptians worshipped sheep as deities. By sacrificing a lamb publicly, the Israelites demonstrated their rejection of idolatry and complete faith in Hashem (Midrash Shemot Rabbah 16:3). The shared meal also strengthened Jewish unity before redemption.