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Exodus 12:6 - Pesach sacrifice: evening redemption moment?

Exodus 12:6 - שמות 12:6

Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת עַד אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה וְשָׁחֲטוּ אֹתוֹ כֹּל קְהַל עֲדַת־יִשְׂרָאֵל בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם׃

English Translation

and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisra᾽el shall kill it towards evening.

Transliteration

Vehaya lakhem lemishmeret ad arba'ah asar yom lachodesh hazeh vesha'chatu oto kol kehal adat-Yisrael bein ha'arbayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת עַ֣ד אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְשָׁחֲט֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ כֹּ֛ל קְהַ֥ל עֲדַֽת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֵּ֥ין הָעַרְבָּֽיִם׃
וְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת עַ֣ד אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְשָׁחֲט֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ כֹּ֛ל קְהַ֥ל עֲדַֽת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֵּ֥ין הָעַרְבָּֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 12:6) is part of the Torah's instructions regarding the Korban Pesach (Paschal Lamb) in Mitzrayim (Egypt). It describes the timeline for preparing and slaughtering the lamb, which was a central element of the first Pesach observance before the Exodus.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments on the phrase "וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת" ("and you shall keep it") that the lamb was to be designated and observed from the 10th of Nisan until the 14th. This four-day period allowed for scrutiny to ensure the lamb was free from blemishes, as required for a korban (sacrifice). Rashi also notes that this demonstrated the Israelites' commitment to Hashem's commandments, as they risked angering the Egyptians by preparing to sacrifice their deity (the lamb being sacred in Egyptian culture).

Rambam's Perspective

The Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Korban Pesach (1:3) elaborates on the requirement for "כֹּל קְהַל עֲדַת־יִשְׂרָאֵל" ("the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel") to participate. He explains that the korban must be slaughtered in a communal gathering, emphasizing unity and collective responsibility in fulfilling the mitzvah.

Talmudic Insights

The Talmud (Pesachim 64a) discusses the precise timing of "בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם" ("towards evening"). It defines this period as starting after midday (from approximately 12:30 PM onward) until nightfall. The Gemara further clarifies that the slaughter must occur specifically in the afternoon to align with the later offering of the Tamid sacrifice in the Beit Hamikdash.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Mechilta (a halachic midrash on Shemot) connects this verse to the broader theme of geulah (redemption). The four-day preparation period symbolizes the four terms of redemption mentioned earlier in Shemot 6:6-7 ("I will bring you out... I will deliver you... I will redeem you... I will take you"). Each day of guarding the lamb reinforced Bnei Yisrael's readiness for their imminent deliverance.

Practical Halachic Implications

  • The requirement to observe the lamb for four days applied only to the first Pesach in Egypt, not to subsequent observances (Rambam, Hilchot Korban Pesach 1:4).
  • The phrase "whole assembly" teaches that even if individuals were ritually impure, they were included in this mitzvah (unlike later Temple-era rules) - showing the exceptional nature of the Egyptian redemption.
  • The afternoon timing became the standard for all future Korban Pesach offerings in the Beit Hamikdash.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 5b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the Passover sacrifice, specifically the timing of when the lamb is to be kept and slaughtered.
📖 Pesachim 96a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper time for slaughtering the Passover offering and the communal nature of the sacrifice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 12:6 mean when it says to keep the lamb until the 14th day?
A: This verse refers to the mitzvah of selecting a lamb for the Korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) on the 10th of Nissan and keeping it until the 14th, when it would be slaughtered. Rashi explains that this four-day period allowed time to inspect the lamb for blemishes and to demonstrate our commitment to the mitzvah, as the Egyptians worshipped lambs and we showed no fear in preparing it for sacrifice.
Q: Why did the entire congregation of Israel slaughter the lamb together?
A: The Talmud (Pesachim 64a) teaches that the phrase 'the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel' indicates that the slaughtering was done in large groups, as it was impossible for every individual to slaughter their own lamb simultaneously. This communal aspect emphasized our unity as a nation during the Exodus.
Q: What time is 'between the evenings' (bein ha'arbayim) when the lamb was slaughtered?
A: Rashi explains that 'between the evenings' refers to the afternoon, specifically from about the 6th hour of the day (noon) until evening. The Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 1:4) states it was done after midday until nightfall, with the ideal time being in the latter part of the afternoon.
Q: How do we observe this mitzvah today without the Temple?
A: Since we cannot bring sacrifices without the Beit Hamikdash (Temple), we commemorate the Korban Pesach at the Seder through the roasted zeroa (shankbone) on the Seder plate and by discussing the details of the sacrifice. The Rambam (Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah 8:1) emphasizes that recounting the Exodus story fulfills part of this mitzvah in our times.
Q: What lesson can we learn from preparing the lamb four days in advance?
A: The Midrash teaches that this shows the importance of preparing for mitzvot in advance. Just as our ancestors demonstrated their faith by preparing the sacrifice days before the miracle occurred, we learn to approach divine commandments with enthusiasm and proper preparation. This also symbolizes how we must carefully examine our actions (like inspecting the lamb) before approaching sacred moments.