Purpose of the Pesach/2

Purpose of the Pesach

Exegetical Approaches

Apotropaic Blood Rite

The blood of the Pesach protected the Israelites by deterring the destroying angel from entering their homes and killing their firstborns.

Sources: JubileesChapter 49About Jubilees, Shemot Rabbah18:7About Shemot Rabbah, Ibn EzraShemot Long Commentary 4:25Shemot Long Commentary 12:7Shemot Long Commentary 12:13Shemot Long Commentary 12:27Shemot Short Commentary 12:7Shemot Short Commentary 12:11Shemot Short Commentary 12:13About R. Avraham ibn Ezra,¹ R. Avraham Ibn DaudSefer HaEmunah HaRamah, Maamar 3 SefornoShemot 12:13Shemot 12:22About R. Ovadyah Seforno,

Target audience –

Meaning of the name "פֶּסַח" –

Nature of the משחית –

Focal point of the ceremony –

Accompanying actions –

Purpose of the blood –

Inner or outer doorpost? –

Biblical parallels –

"לֹא תֵצְאוּ אִישׁ מִפֶּתַח בֵּיתוֹ" –

"לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים" –

General purpose of sacrifices –

פסח דורות –

Israelites' Religious identity –

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Sacrifice to Hashem

The Pesach strengthened the bond between the Children of Israel and Hashem, in preparation for the Exodus.

To Merit Redemption

The Israelites needed to accumulate mitzvot in order to compensate for their sinful behavior in Egypt and be worthy of His deliverance.

Sources: R. Matya b. Charash in Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelBo Pischa 5About the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, R. Yishmael in Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelBo Pischa 11About the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, RashiShemot 12:6About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, R. BachyaShemot 12:13R. Bachya b. Asher, AvudrahamCommentary on Haggadah s.v. "Lo al yedei malakh", Tzeror HaMorShemot 12:3About R. Avraham Saba, R. S"R HirschShemot 12:3-8Shemot 12:11Shemot 12:24About R. S"R Hirsch, R. D"Z HoffmannShemot 12:12-13About R. D"Z Hoffmann,² Zvi KarlCommentary on Mishnayot Pesachim, pp.12-15, U. CassutoShemot 12:5About U. Cassuto

Petitionary Offering – The Pesach was brought as a request for Hashem's protection, and the sheep represented the Israelites' dependence on Hashem to be their shepherd.

Redemption of the Firstborn (פדיון בכור) – The Paschal lambs served as an exchange for the lives of the Israelite firstborns, and their blood symbolized the consecration of the Israelites to God's worship.

Target audience –

Meaning of the name "פֶּסַח" –

Nature of the משחית –

Focal point of the ceremony –

Accompanying actions –

Purpose of the blood –

Inner or outer doorpost? –

Biblical parallels –

"לֹא תֵצְאוּ אִישׁ מִפֶּתַח בֵּיתוֹ" –

"לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים" –

General purpose of sacrifices –

פסח דורות –

Israelites' Religious identity –

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Thanksgiving Offering

The Pesach was a Korban Todah, a celebratory sacrifice thanking Hashem for the nation's impending salvation.

Sources: PhiloOn the Special Laws II:XXVII:145-149Questions and Answers on Exodus #4Questions and Answers on Exodus #7Questions and Answers on Exodus #10Questions and Answers on Exodus #12About Philo, R. Chasdai CrescasDerashat HaPesach (p. 166)About R. Chasdai Crescas, R. D"Z HoffmannShemot 12:12-13About R. D"Z Hoffmann

Target audience –

Meaning of the name "פֶּסַח" –

Nature of the משחית –

Focal point of the ceremony –

Accompanying actions –

Purpose of the blood –

Inner or outer doorpost? –

Biblical parallels –

"לֹא תֵצְאוּ אִישׁ מִפֶּתַח בֵּיתוֹ" –

"לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים" –

General purpose of sacrifices –

פסח דורות –

Israelites' Religious identity –

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Demonstrative Act Against Idolatry

The Egyptians worshiped sheep, and the slaughtering of the Pesach proclaimed the sovereignty of Hashem and His supremacy over the Egyptian gods. This approach subdivides regarding the intended audience:

Transforming the Israelites

The Paschal rite facilitated and symbolized the Israelites' rejection of Egyptian idolatry.

Sources: R. Eliezer HaKappar in Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelBo Pischa 5About the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, R. Yosi HaGelili in Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelBo Pischa 11About the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, R. Eliezer in Mekhilta DeRashbiShemot 12:21About Mekhilta DeRashbi, Shemot Rabbah16:2About Shemot Rabbah, Bemidbar RabbahNaso 13About Bemidbar Rabbah, Seikhel TovShemot 12:6About R. Menachem b. Shelomo, RambamMoreh Nevukhim 3:46About R. Moshe Maimonides, RalbagShemot 12:3Shemot 12:7Shemot 12:9Shemot 12:13Shemot 12:22-23Shemot 12 Toelet 3About R. Levi b. Gershon, Akeidat YitzchakShemot #38About R. Yitzchak Arama, AbarbanelShemot 12, Question 4Shemot 12:3-14Shemot 12:14Commentary on Haggadah s.v. "Pesach"About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, R"M AlshikhShemot 12 IntroductionShemot 12:7-9About R. Moshe Alshikh, HaKetav VeHaKabbalahShemot 12:13About R"Y Mecklenburg

Target audience –

Meaning of the name "פֶּסַח" –

Nature of the משחית –

Focal point of the ceremony –

Accompanying actions –

Purpose of the blood –

Inner or outer doorpost? –

Biblical parallels –

"לֹא תֵצְאוּ אִישׁ מִפֶּתַח בֵּיתוֹ" –

"לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים" –

General purpose of sacrifices –

פסח דורות –

Israelites' Religious identity –

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Mocking the Egyptians

The public slaughter of the sheep proved to the Egyptians that their gods were powerless.

Sources: R. Yitzchak in Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelBo Pischa 6About the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Pesikta DeRav KahanaPesikta DeRav Kahana HaChodesh 5:17About Pesikta DeRav Kahana, Shemot Rabbah16:3About Shemot Rabbah, ChizkuniShemot 12:3,5-7Shemot 12:8-11Shemot 12:13About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach,³ RambanShemot 12:3About R. Moshe Nachmanides, R. BachyaShemot 12:23R. Bachya b. Asher⁴

Target audience –

Meaning of the name "פֶּסַח" –

Nature of the משחית –

Focal point of the ceremony –

Accompanying actions –

Purpose of the blood –

Inner or outer doorpost? –

Biblical parallels –

"לֹא תֵצְאוּ אִישׁ מִפֶּתַח בֵּיתוֹ" –

"לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים" –

General purpose of sacrifices –

פסח דורות –

Israelites' Religious identity –

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¹ It is not totally clear from Ibn Ezra's comments if he views the entire sacrifice as a ransom, or just the blood. See also R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 12:7Shemot 12:13Shemot 12:14About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor. Like Ibn Ezra, also R. Yosef Bekhor Shor is unclear whether it is the sheep or just the blood which acts as the ransom.

² R. D"Z Hoffmann combines this possibility with the option that the Pesach was a thanksgiving sacrifice – see below.

³ Chizkuni emphasizes the teaching to the Egyptians, but notes that this was a lesson learned by the Israelites as well.

⁴ R. Bachya sees in the Pesach also a demonstration of Israelite belief in Hashem, which earned them their salvation. See his comments on 12:13 and the discussion above.