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Exodus 12:3 - Prepare for redemption with lamb

Exodus 12:3 - שמות 12:3

Hebrew Text

דַּבְּרוּ אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר בֶּעָשֹׂר לַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה וְיִקְחוּ לָהֶם אִישׁ שֶׂה לְבֵית־אָבֹת שֶׂה לַבָּיִת׃

English Translation

Speak to all the congregation of Yisra᾽el, saying, On the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a house:

Transliteration

Dabru el-kol-adat Yisrael lemor ba'asor lachodesh hazeh veyikchu lahem ish seh levet-avot seh labayit.

Hebrew Leining Text

דַּבְּר֗וּ אֶֽל־כׇּל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בֶּעָשֹׂ֖ר לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְיִקְח֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם אִ֛ישׁ שֶׂ֥ה לְבֵית־אָבֹ֖ת שֶׂ֥ה לַבָּֽיִת׃
דַּבְּר֗וּ אֶֽל־כׇּל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בֶּעָשֹׂ֖ר לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְיִקְח֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם אִ֛ישׁ שֶׂ֥ה לְבֵית־אָבֹ֖ת שֶׂ֥ה לַבָּֽיִת׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Exodus Narrative

This verse (Shemot 12:3) marks the beginning of the mitzvah of the Korban Pesach (Paschal Lamb), given to Bnei Yisrael in Egypt before their redemption. The instruction to take a lamb on the 10th of Nisan sets the stage for the Exodus, as the lamb would later be sacrificed on the 14th of Nisan (Shemot 12:6).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that taking the lamb four days before its sacrifice served two purposes:

  • To demonstrate that Bnei Yisrael were rejecting Egyptian idolatry, since the lamb was considered a deity in Egypt (based on Mekhilta).
  • To fulfill the principle of "במום" (without blemish), allowing time to inspect the lamb for defects before offering it (based on Pesachim 96a).

The Significance of the 10th of Nisan

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 15:1) connects this date with future events:

  • It was the day Yehoshua led Bnei Yisrael across the Jordan River (Yehoshua 4:19).
  • It would later be the yahrzeit of Miriam, Moshe's sister (Megillah 14a).

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 1:1-3) derives several halachic principles from this verse:

  • The lamb must be acquired specifically for the purpose of the Korban Pesach ("וְיִקְחוּ לָהֶם" - "take for yourselves").
  • The mitzvah applies to the entire community ("כָּל־עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל").
  • The lamb is designated by household ("שֶׂה לַבָּיִת"), teaching that those who cannot finish a whole lamb should join with others.

Symbolic Meaning

The Kli Yakar emphasizes that taking the lamb demonstrated Bnei Yisrael's faith in Hashem's redemption. By publicly preparing the sacrifice while still enslaved, they showed bitachon (trust) that their liberation was imminent.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 96a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning the Passover lamb, specifically regarding the timing of taking the lamb on the tenth day of the month.
📖 Mekhilta de-Rabbi Yishmael Bo, Parsha 5
The verse is cited in the Mekhilta, a tannaitic midrash, in the discussion about the commandment to take the Passover lamb on the tenth day of the month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 12:3 mean?
A: Exodus 12:3 is part of the instructions given to the Israelites before the Exodus from Egypt. It commands each household to take a lamb on the 10th day of the month of Nissan, which would later be used as the Passover offering (Korban Pesach). Rashi explains that taking the lamb four days before slaughtering it (on the 14th) demonstrated their faith in Hashem's promise of redemption, as they were openly preparing the Egyptian deity (a lamb) for sacrifice.
Q: Why was the lamb taken on the 10th of Nissan?
A: The lamb was taken on the 10th of Nissan to give the Israelites time to inspect it for blemishes (as required for sacrifices) and to demonstrate their commitment to Hashem's command. The Midrash teaches that this act showed their readiness to follow divine instructions despite living among Egyptians who worshipped lambs. By publicly selecting and preparing these lambs, the Israelites displayed their faith in Hashem.
Q: How does this verse relate to Passover today?
A: While we no longer bring the Passover sacrifice without the Temple, Exodus 12:3 remains central to understanding the origins of Pesach. The Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach) discusses how these details were observed when the Temple stood. Today, we remember this mitzvah through the Seder's symbolic foods (like the roasted shank bone) and by studying the laws of the Korban Pesach.
Q: Why was the lamb assigned 'per household'?
A: The Torah specifies 'a lamb for a house' to emphasize family unity in serving Hashem. The Talmud (Pesachim 86a) notes that households could join together if they were too small to consume an entire lamb, showing both the importance of communal participation and avoiding waste. This teaches that Jewish worship often combines family intimacy with broader community connection.
Q: What lesson can we learn from preparing the lamb days in advance?
A: Taking the lamb four days early teaches the value of preparation (hachana) for mitzvot. The Kli Yakar explains that this period allowed for introspection - just as the lamb was examined for flaws, we should examine ourselves spiritually before major events. This idea extends to all mitzvot: proper preparation enhances their meaning and performance.