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Exodus 13:15 - Divine justice demands redemption.

Exodus 13:15 - שמות 13:15

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי כִּי־הִקְשָׁה פַרְעֹה לְשַׁלְּחֵנוּ וַיַּהֲרֹג יְהֹוָה כָּל־בְּכוֹר בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מִבְּכֹר אָדָם וְעַד־בְּכוֹר בְּהֵמָה עַל־כֵּן אֲנִי זֹבֵחַ לַיהוָה כָּל־פֶּטֶר רֶחֶם הַזְּכָרִים וְכָל־בְּכוֹר בָּנַי אֶפְדֶּה׃

English Translation

and it came to pass, when Par῾o would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Miżrayim, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

Transliteration

Vay'hi ki-hiksha Par'o l'shalcheinu vayaharog Adonai kol-bechor b'eretz Mitzrayim mibechor adam v'ad-bechor beheimah al-ken ani zovei'ach la'Adonai kol-peter rechem haz'charim v'kol-bechor banai efdeh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֗י כִּֽי־הִקְשָׁ֣ה פַרְעֹה֮ לְשַׁלְּחֵ֒נוּ֒ וַיַּהֲרֹ֨ג יְהֹוָ֤ה כׇּל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מִבְּכֹ֥ר אָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּכ֣וֹר בְּהֵמָ֑ה עַל־כֵּן֩ אֲנִ֨י זֹבֵ֜חַ לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה כׇּל־פֶּ֤טֶר רֶ֙חֶם֙ הַזְּכָרִ֔ים וְכׇל־בְּכ֥וֹר בָּנַ֖י אֶפְדֶּֽה׃
וַיְהִ֗י כִּֽי־הִקְשָׁ֣ה פַרְעֹה֮ לְשַׁלְּחֵ֒נוּ֒ וַיַּהֲרֹ֨ג יְהֹוָ֤ה כׇּל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מִבְּכֹ֥ר אָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּכ֣וֹר בְּהֵמָ֑ה עַל־כֵּן֩ אֲנִ֨י זֹבֵ֜חַ לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה כׇּל־פֶּ֤טֶר רֶ֙חֶם֙ הַזְּכָרִ֔ים וְכׇל־בְּכ֥וֹר בָּנַ֖י אֶפְדֶּֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Exodus Narrative

This verse (Exodus 13:15) is part of the commandment to sanctify the firstborn, given after the Exodus from Egypt. It serves as a perpetual reminder of Hashem's deliverance of Bnei Yisrael from slavery, particularly through the final plague—the death of the Egyptian firstborn.

Pharaoh's Hardened Heart

Rashi explains that "when Pharaoh would hardly let us go" refers to his stubborn refusal to release the Israelites despite witnessing the previous nine plagues. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart (mentioned earlier in Exodus) demonstrates Hashem's complete control over human rulers and history, ultimately leading to the dramatic redemption.

The Plague of the Firstborn

The verse emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the tenth plague:

  • Human and animal firstborn: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 18:3) notes this showed Hashem's precision—sparing Israelite firstborn while striking Egyptian ones, even their livestock.
  • Divine justice: Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:46) suggests this plague corresponded to Pharaoh's decree to drown Israelite boys (Exodus 1:22)—measure for measure.

Sanctification of Firstborn

The verse establishes two mitzvot:

  • Pidyon HaBen: Redeeming firstborn sons (Exodus 13:13). The Talmud (Bechorot 47a) details this obligation to give five silver shekels to a kohen.
  • Sacrificing firstborn animals: Firstborn kosher animals were given to kohanim (Numbers 18:17-18), while donkeys were redeemed (Exodus 13:13).

Eternal Remembrance

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 18) explains these commandments serve as eternal testimony to the Exodus miracle. By consecrating firstborns—who were saved during the plague—we perpetuate the memory of Hashem's intervention in history.

Spiritual Significance

The Kli Yakar notes that firstborns represent "the first of one's strength" (Deuteronomy 21:17). By dedicating them to Hashem, we acknowledge that all beginnings—whether children, livestock, or crops—belong to the Creator who granted us freedom.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 96b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the laws of Passover and the redemption of the firstborn, connecting the Exodus narrative to contemporary practices.
📖 Bekhorot 4b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the obligation to redeem firstborn sons and the sanctity of firstborn animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem kill the firstborn in Egypt?
A: Hashem killed the firstborn in Egypt as the final and most severe of the ten plagues, because Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let the Jewish people go free despite the previous plagues. This demonstrated Hashem's supreme power and fulfilled His promise to redeem the Jewish people from slavery (Rashi on Exodus 12:29).
Q: What is the significance of redeeming firstborn sons?
A: The Torah commands us to redeem firstborn sons (pidyon haben) because they were saved during the plague of the firstborn in Egypt. This mitzvah reminds us of Hashem's mercy and our gratitude for being taken out of Egypt (Rambam, Hilchot Bikkurim 11:1). A kohen performs the redemption ceremony by accepting five silver coins in exchange for the child.
Q: Why does the verse mention sacrificing firstborn animals?
A: Firstborn kosher animals were originally meant to be given to the kohanim (priests) for sacrifice in the Temple, commemorating how Hashem spared Jewish firstborns in Egypt. Today, since we don't have the Temple, we give these animals to a kohen who must ensure they are treated properly (Talmud, Bekhorot 5a).
Q: How do we observe these commandments today?
A: Today we: 1) Perform pidyon haben (redemption of firstborn sons) 30 days after birth, 2) Separate firstborn kosher animals for a kohen, and 3) Remember these events during Passover when we retell the Exodus story. These practices keep us connected to our redemption from Egypt (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 305).
Q: Why were animals included in the plague of the firstborn?
A: The Midrash explains that Egyptian animals were included to show that their false deities (which included animal worship) were powerless. Additionally, the animals shared the fate of their Egyptian owners to demonstrate complete divine judgment (Mechilta Bo 12:29).