Biblical Parallels Index – Shemot 12/0

Biblical Parallels Index – Shemot 12

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Korban Pesach

The laws of the Pesach sacrifice are spoken of in both Shemot 12 and Devarim 16.

Tools

• Makbilot Bamikra points out parallel passages in the Torah that describe the Korban Pesach. In addition to Shemot 12, the most extensive discussion of Korban Pesach is in Devarim 16.

Articles

• See הפסח וסיפור יציאת מצרים, by R. Yehuda Rock, for a comparison and contrast of the requirements of Korban Pesach as set forth in Parashat Bo and Parashat Re’eh.  R. Rock suggests that the two passages reflect two different aspects of what Korban Pesach is meant to symbolize and commemorate. Parashat Bo emphasizes how the sacrifice is an expression of belief in God and a rejection of Egyptian culture and religion, while Parashat Re'eh views it as a thanksgiving offering to God for the redemption of Israel.

Pesach Mitzrayim and Pesach Dorot Shemot 12 contains two separate sections about the Pesach sacrifice: verses 21-22 discuss the Pesach offering to be brought in Egypt, while verses 43-49 set forth the requirements of the eternal mitzvah of Korban Pesach.

Articles

• See Purpose of the Pesach for an examination of the nature and goals of the original Korban Pesach and its relation to the eternal mitzvah of Korban Pesach, from the perspectives of a vast range of commentaries. Some view the original sacrifice as an apotropaic bood rite, others as a demonstrative act against idolatry, and yet others as a thanksgiving offering. The yearly Pesach might either simply commemorate the original or serve as a continued expression of thanksgiving.
• See Pesach Mitzrayim -- A Commitment to God, by R. Moshe Aberman, for analysis of the significance of Pesach Mitzrayim.  R. Aberman suggests that the purpose of the original Pesach was to dissociate from Egyptian culture and demonstrate allegiance to Hashem, while the annual Pesach is part of the educational experience of Seder night, also meant to strengthen Jewish identity. 

Korban Pesach in Later Biblical Stories Tanakh describes the bringing of a Pesach sacrifice during several periods of Jewish history, in the times of Yehoshua, Chizkiyahu, Yoshiyahu, and Ezra. This leads one to wonder as to the specific symbolism and significance of the Pesach in these various historical contexts.

Tools

• See Makbilot BaMikra for links to sources which describe each of the celebrations of Pesach mentioned above.

Articles

• See The Meaning of the Korban Pesach, by R. Amnon Bazak, for analysis of the significance of many aspects of the Korban Pesach and its relevance to the other narratives in which a Pesach offering is brought.  R. Bazak suggests that throughout these narratives, the Pesach sacrifice serves as part of the renewal of the covenant between the collective Jewish people and Hashem.
• See The Korban Pesach -- Sacrifice or Feast, by Prof. Yonatan Grossman, for an interpretation of the Korban Pesach as representing the sanctity of the Jewish home and its centrality to redemption.  Prof. Grossman (like R. Bazak above) suggests that the Pesach sacrifice appears in the subsequent stories as well because they represent moments of national renewal and re-commitment to the covenant.

Sedom and Egypt There are numerous parallels between the stories of the destruction of Sedom and of divine retribution against Egypt at the time of the Exodus.

Articles

• In Lot’s “Pesach” And Its Significance (or the Hebrew version פסח מצרים ופסח סדום), R. Yoel Bin-Nun points out the many commonalities between the stories of Lot’s salvation from Sedom and the Children of Israel’s salvation from Egypt. These include: the divine destruction of a corrupt society and the escape of one group of people, the centrality of the home as the safe place within that society, the need for haste in escaping, and the preparation of matzot. These parallels emphasize and explain the significance of the home and family within these stories of salvation and our own commemoration and celebration of Pesach.

Rapid Redemption

The noun "חִפָּזוֹן" (haste) appears three times in Tanakh, in Shemot 12:11, Devarim 16:3, and Yeshayahu 52:12, all in the context of redemption. In the first two verses, the word refers to the haste of the Exodus. In the last, interestingly, Hashem promises that the ultimate redemption will not be in haste. Exploring these stories and the concept of "haste" in general makes one both ponder the necessity of redeeming Israel in haste and question what were the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

Tools

• Concordance – Use the concordance to explore usage of the noun "חפזון" and the related verbal root "חפז".  While the former appear in the context of redemption, all of the appearances of the verb in Tanakh are associated with an undignified rush.¹ These usages indicate a duality associated with the concept of haste; it seems to reflect Hashem’s miraculous salvation in the story of the Exodus, but a lack of dignity and forethought in other contexts.

Articles

• See Hippazon - Rapid Redemption, by R. Alex Israel, for analysis of the nuances of the notion of "חִפָּזוֹן", which includes both a connotation of panic as well as of Hashem’s instantaneous salvation.   R. Israel explores the symbolism and significance of the concept of "חפזון" through the writings of a range of Jewish thinkers. He notes that sometimes change takes time and haste is dangerous, but that simultaneously a rush of energy and passion might be necessary to kick-start a colossal religious and national transformation.

¹ In some cases this leads to misguided conclusions (for example, see Tehillim 31:23 and 116:11).