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12:1

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם לֵאמֹֽר׃

Adonoy said to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt saying:

Adonoy said to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt saying:

Rashi

ויאמר ה' אל משה ואל אהרן. בשביל שאהרן עשה וטרח במופתים כמשה, חלק לו כבוד זה במצוה ראשונה, שכללו עם משה בדבור:

Adonoy said to Moshe and Aharon. Since Aharon performed, and troubled himself, in regard to the wonders, just as much as Moshe, He (God) does him this honor at the first mitzvah, by including him with Moshe in this message.

בארץ מצרים. חוץ לכרך, או אינו אלא בתוך הכרך, תלמוד לומר כצאתי את העיר וגו', ומה תפלה קלה לא התפלל בתוך הכרך, לפי שהיתה מלאה גילולים, דבר חמור כזה לא כל שכן (מכילתא פסחא פ"א):

In the land of Egypt — [but] outside the city. or was that not so, but [it was] rather within the city? The Torah, therefore, states [concerning Moshe’s prayer]: “When I leave the city, etc.” Now, if [regarding] prayer, which is [relatively] less significant, he would not pray within the city for it was full of idols, then, [regarding] a message [from God], which is so much more significant, how much more so [that he would leave the city.]

12:2

הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים רִאשׁוֹן הוּא לָכֶם לְחׇדְשֵׁי הַשָּׁנָֽה׃

“This month shall be [reckoned] to you [as] the head [beginning] of months. It shall be to you the first of the months of the year.

“This month shall be [reckoned] to you [as] the head [beginning] of months. It shall be to you the first of the months of the year.

Rashi

החדש הזה. הראהו לבנה בחדושה (שמו"ר טו, כח), ואמר לו, כשהירח מתחדש יהיה לך ר"ח. ואין מקרא יוצא מידי פשוטו, על חדש ניסן אמר לו, זה יהיה ראש לסדר מנין החדשים, שיהא אייר קרוי שני, סיון שלישי (מכילתא שם):

This month. He (God) showed him the moon at its renewal and said to him, “When the moon renews itself, let that be for you the beginning of a new month.” However, Scripture does not depart from its plain meaning: He (God) was telling him about the month of Nissan; [viz.] this (Nissan) shall be the start of the order of the counting of the months, so that Iyar will be called the second [month] and Sivan, the third.

הזה. נתקשה משה על מולד הלבנה, באיזו שעור תראה ותהיה ראויה לקדש, והראה לו באצבע את הלבנה ברקיע, ואמר לו כזה ראה וקדש. וכיצד הראהו, והלא לא היה מדבר עמו אלא ביום, שנאמר וַיְהִי בְּיֹום דִּבֶּר ה' (לעיל ז, כח), בְּיֹום צַוֹּתֹו (ויקרא ז, לח), מִן הַיֹום אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה' וָהָלְאָה (במדבר טו, כג), אלא סמוך לשקיעת החמה נאמרה לו פרשה זו, והראהו עם חשכה:

This. Moshe had difficulty regarding the renewal of the moon how much of it must be visible so that it be fit to be consecrated. He (God) then showed him with His “finger” the moon in the sky, and said to him, “When you see it like this, sanctify it.” But how could He show it to him — did He not speak with him only by day, as it is said: “And on the day that God spoke,” [or:] “on the day that He commanded him,” [or:] “from the day that God commanded and beyond?” But [the answer is] it was near sunset [when] this section was told to him (Moshe) and He pointed it out to him at nightfall.

12:3

דַּבְּרוּ אֶֽל־כׇּל־עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר בֶּעָשֹׂר לַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה וְיִקְחוּ לָהֶם אִישׁ שֶׂה לְבֵית־אָבֹת שֶׂה לַבָּֽיִת׃

Speak to the entire community of Israel saying, ‘On the tenth [day] of this month they shall take—each man [shall take] a lamb for [his] family, a lamb for each household.

Speak to the entire community of Israel saying, ‘On the tenth [day] of this month they shall take—each man [shall take] a lamb for [his] family, a lamb for each household.

Rashi

דברו אל כל עדת. וכי אהרן מדבר, והלא כבר נאמר אתה תדבר, אלא חולקין כבוד זה לזה, ואומרים זה לזה למדני, והדבור יוצא מבין שניהם כאלו שניהם מדברים (מכילתא פסחא פ"ג):

Speak to the entire community. But did Aharon speak? Has it not already been stated “You (Moshe) speak?” But [the answer is] they bestowed honor on each other and said to one another: “Teach me [what to say].” The message would then emanate from both, as if both were speaking.

אל כל עדת ישראל וגו' בעשור לחדש. דברו היום בראש חודש, שיקחוהו בעשור לחודש (שם):

To the entire community of Israel saying, “On the tenth [day] of this month.” [I.e.,] “Speak today, on the first of the month that they should take it (the lamb) on the tenth of the month.

הזה. פסח מצרים מקחו מבעשור, ולא פסח דורות (פסחים צו.):

This. The korbon Pesach in Egypt was acquired on the tenth, but not the korbon Pesach of future generations.

שה לבית אבות. למשפחה אחת, הרי שהיו מרובין יכול שה אחד לכולן, תלמוד לומר שה לבית (מכילתא פ"ג):

A lamb for [his] family. [Meaning one lamb] per family. Thus, if there were many [members in the family], one might think that one lamb [suffices] for all. The Torah, therefore, states: “A lamb for each household.”

12:4

וְאִם־יִמְעַט הַבַּיִת מִהְיוֹת מִשֶּׂה וְלָקַח הוּא וּשְׁכֵנוֹ הַקָּרֹב אֶל־בֵּיתוֹ בְּמִכְסַת נְפָשֹׁת אִישׁ לְפִי אׇכְלוֹ תָּכֹסּוּ עַל־הַשֶּֽׂה׃

If the [members of the] household are too few for the [eating of a] lamb then he shall take [a lamb] [together] with his neighbor, close by his house, according to the number of individuals. According to what the person eats shall you make your count regarding the lamb.

If the [members of the] household are too few for the [eating of a] lamb then he shall take [a lamb] [together] with his neighbor, close by his house, according to the number of individuals. According to what the person eats shall you make your count regarding the lamb.

Rashi

ואם ימעט הבית מהיות משה. ואם יהיו מועטין מהיות משה אחד, שאין יכולין לאכלו ויבא לידי נותר, ולקח הוא ושכנו וגו', זהו משמעו לפי פשוטו. ועוד יש בו מדרש, ללמד שאחר שנמנו עליו יכולין להתמעט ולמשוך ידיהם הימנו, ולהמנות על שה אחר, אך אם באו למשוך ידיהם ולהתמעט מהיות משה, יתמעטו בעוד השה קיים, בהיותו בחיים ולא משנשחט (פסחים פט.):

If the household [members] are too few for the lamb. [I.e.,] If they are too few to be sufficient for one lamb, so that they are unable to eat it [all] and will thus come to [the transgression of] נוֹתָר, then “Let him and his neighbor take, etc.,” That is the implication here according to its plain meaning. However, there is also an exposition [of the Sages]: [This verse intends] to teach that [even] after they have been counted in it they may [still] be excluded [from the group] and withdraw their association from it and be counted as [partners] of another lamb. However, if they do decide to withdraw their association and be counted [as partners] of another lamb, then this should be done “מִהְיוֹת מִשֶּׂה” — [i.e.,] they should be excluded while the lamb still exists, [that is to say,] while it is still alive and not once it has been slaughtered.

במכסת. חשבון, וכן מִכְסַת הָעֶרְכְּך (ויקרא כז, כג):

According to the number. [בְּמִכְסַת means: according to] the number. Similarly: מִכְסַת הָעֶרְכְּךָ [means the number of the evaluation].

לפי אכלו. הראוי לאכילה, פרט לחולה וזקן שאינו יכול לאכול כזית (מכילתא פ"ג):

According to what the person eats. Each according to his fitness to eat, to exclude the sick and the old who cannot eat a kezayis (a piece the size of an olive).

תכסו. תִּתְמְנוּן:

Shall you make your count. [As Onkelos translates it:] תִּתְמְנוּן — you will be counted.

12:5

שֶׂה תָמִים זָכָר בֶּן־שָׁנָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם מִן־הַכְּבָשִׂים וּמִן־הָעִזִּים תִּקָּֽחוּ׃

A flawless lamb, a yearling male must be in your possession. You may take it from sheep or goats.

A flawless lamb, a yearling male must be in your possession. You may take it from sheep or goats.

Rashi

תמים. בלא מום:

Flawless. Without a blemish

בן שנה. כל שנתו קרוי בן שנה, כלומר שנולד בשנה זו:

A yearling Its entire [first] year it is called a בֶּן שָׁנָה, as if to say: it was born this year.

מן הכבשים ומן העזים. או מזה או מזה, שאף עז קרויה שה, שנאמר וְשֵׂה עִזִּים (דברים יד, ד):

From the sheep or goats. Either one or the other, for a goat is also called שֶׂה as it is said: “And a שֶׂה of the goats.”

12:6

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

You shall hold it in safekeeping until the fourteenth day of this month, they shall slaughter it—the entire community of Yisrael—between evenings [in the afternoon].

You shall hold it in safekeeping until the fourteenth day of this month, they shall slaughter it—the entire community of Yisrael—between evenings [in the afternoon].

Rashi

והיה לכם למשמרת. זה לשון בקור, שטעון בקור ממום ארבעה ימים קודם שחיטה. ומפני מה הקדים לקיחתו לשחיטתו ארבעה ימים מה שלא צוה כן בפסח דורות, היה ר' מתיא בן חרש אומר, הרי הוא אומר וָאֶעֱבֹר עָלַיִך וָאֶרְאֵךְ וְהִנֵּה עִתֵּךְ עֵת דֹּדִים (יחזקאל טז, ח), הגיעה שבועה שנשבעתי לאברהם שאגאל את בניו, ולא היו בידם מצות להתעסק בהם כדי שיגאלו, שנאמר וְאַתְּ עֵרֹם וְעֶרְיָה (שם ז), ונתן להם שתי מצות, דם פסח ודם מילה שמלו באותו הלילה, שנאמר מִתְבֹּוסֶסֶת בְּדָמָיִך (שם ו), בשני דמים, ואומר גַּם אַתְּ בְּדַם בְּרִיתֵך שִׁלַּחְתִּי אֲסִירַיִךְ מִבֹּור אֵין מַיִם בֹּו (זכריה ט, יא), ושהיו שטופים באלילים, אמר להם מִשְכוּ וּקְחוּ לָכֶם, משכו ידיכם מאלילים וקחו לכם צאן של מצוה:

You shall hold it in safekeeping. This term (לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת) refers to “examining,” for it requires examination against any blemish for four days before its slaughter. Why was it necessary to acquire it four days before its slaughter — something not commanded regarding the Pesach of later generations? [In response] R. Masia b. Cheresh would say: Scripture says: “And I passed over you and saw you and behold your time was a time of love” — “the time has come [to fulfill] the oath which I swore to Avraham that I will redeem his children.” But they possessed no mitzvos with which to be occupied in order to merit redemption as it is said “And you are naked and bare.” So He gave them two mitzvos [regarding] the blood of the [korbon] pesach and the blood of circumcision, for that night they circumcized themselves; as it is said: [“when I passed over you I saw] you wallowing in your bloods (pl.),” referring to two bloods (Pesach and circumcision). It is also said: “As for you, because of the blood of your covenant I released your prisoners from the pit which had no water” And because they (the B’nei Yisroel in Egypt) were immersed in idol worship, He said to them, “Draw and take [a lamb],” [meaning:] “withdraw your hands from idol worship and take unto yourselves a lamb to fulfill a mitzvah.”

ושחטו אתו וגו'. וכי כולן שוחטין, אלא מכאן ששלוחו של אדם כמותו (מכילתא פ"ה קידושין מא:):

They shall slaughter it, etc. But did they all slaughter [the korbon Pesach]?! But [the answer is that] from here we derive [the rule] that “the agent of a person is as himself.”

קהל עדת ישראל. קהל ועדה וישראל, מכאן אמרו פסחי צבור נשחטין בשלשה כתות זו אחר זו, נכנסת כת ראשונה ננעלו דלתות העזרה וכו', כדאיתא בפסחים (סד.):

Community of Yisrael. [It speaks here of three groups:] assembly, congregation and Yisrael. From here they (the Sages) derived that the congregational Pesachim are slaughtered in three groups, one followed by the other — once the first group had entered the doors of the [Temple] courtyard were closed, etc., as is cited in Pesachim (64 b).

בין הערבים. משש שעות ולמעלה קרוי בין הערבים, שהשמש נוטה לבית מבואו לערוב, ולשון בין הערבים נראה בעיני, אותן שעות שבין עריבת היום לעריבת הלילה, עריבת היום בתחלת שבע שעות מכי ינטו צללי ערב, ועריבת הלילה בתחלת הלילה. ערב לשון נשף וחשך, כמו עָרְבָה כָּל שִׂמְחָה (ישעי' כד, יא):

In the afternoon. The period of time after the sixth hour of the day is referred to as בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם because then the sun [begins] inclining towards where it sets so that it will become dark. As for the term בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, it seems to me: [refers to] those hours that are between when the day begins to darken (עֲרִיבַת הַיּוֹם). and when night begins to darken (עֲרִיבַת לַיְלָה). עֲרִיבַת הַיּוֹם is at the start of the seventh hour, when the afternoon shadows begin extending, and עֲרִיבַת הַלַּיְלָה is at the start of the night. עֶרֶב means blackness and darkness, as in: עָרְבָה כָּל שִֹמְחָה — “All joy has darkened”

12:7

וְלָֽקְחוּ מִן־הַדָּם וְנָתְנוּ עַל־שְׁתֵּי הַמְּזוּזֹת וְעַל־הַמַּשְׁקוֹף עַל הַבָּתִּים אֲשֶׁר־יֹאכְלוּ אֹתוֹ בָּהֶֽם׃

They shall take of its blood and place it on the side of the doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they will eat [the lamb].

They shall take of its blood and place it on the side of the doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they will eat [the lamb].

Rashi

ולקחו מן הדם. זו קבלת הדם, יכול ביד, תלמוד לומר אשר בסף:

They shall take of its blood. This refers to the mitzvah of “taking the blood”(קַבָּלָה). I might think that it is taken by hand; Therefore the Torah states: “[And you shall dip it in the blood] which is in the basin.”

המזוזות. הם הזקופות, אחת מכאן לפתח ואחת מכאן:

Doorposts. They are the upright [doorposts], one on one side of the entrance and one on the other side.

המשקוף. הוא העליון, שהדלת שוקף עליו כשסוגרין אותו, לינט"ל בלע"ז ולשון שקיפה, חבטה, כמו קֹול עָלֶה נִדָּף (ויקרא כו, לו), טַרְפָא דְּשָׁקִיף. חַבּוּרָה, מַשְׁקוֹפֵי:

The lintel. This is the upper [post] against which the door bangs when it is closed, Lintier in Old French. The word שְׁקִיפָה means banging as in: קוֹל עָלֶה נִדָּף [which Onkelos translates as] a leaf beating against another or: חַבּוּרָה [is translated by Onkelos as] a bang (wound).

על הבתים אשר יאכלו אותו בהם. ולא על משקוף ומזוזות שבבית התבן ובבית הַבָּקָר, שאין דרין בתוכו:

Of the houses in which they will eat. But not on the upper and side posts of the house [in which you store your] straw, [nor] of the stable (lit. the cattle house) in which people do not reside [or eat].

12:8

וְאָכְלוּ אֶת־הַבָּשָׂר בַּלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה צְלִי־אֵשׁ וּמַצּוֹת עַל־מְרֹרִים יֹאכְלֻֽהוּ׃

They shall eat the meat during this night. It shall be roasted over fire. They shall eat it with matzos and bitter herbs.

They shall eat the meat during this night. It shall be roasted over fire. They shall eat it with matzos and bitter herbs.

Rashi

את הבשר. ולא גידים ועצמות (מכילתא פ"ו):

The meat. But not the sinews or the bones.

על מררים. כל עשב מר נקרא מרור, וציום לאכול מרור זכר לוימררו את חייהם:

With bitter herbs. Any bitter herb is call מָרוֹר He commanded them to eat bitter herbs as a remembrance of “And they made their lives bitter.”

12:9

אַל־תֹּאכְלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ נָא וּבָשֵׁל מְבֻשָּׁל בַּמָּיִם כִּי אִם־צְלִי־אֵשׁ רֹאשׁוֹ עַל־כְּרָעָיו וְעַל־קִרְבּֽוֹ׃

You must not eat it half-cooked or boiled in water, but only roasted over fire, its head with its knees and its inner organs.

You must not eat it half-cooked or boiled in water, but only roasted over fire, its head with its knees and its inner organs.

Rashi

אל תאכלו ממנו נא. שאינו צלוי כל צרכו קוראו נא בלשון ערבי:

You must not eat it half-cooked. Anything not sufficiently roasted is called נָא (naye) in Arabic.

ובשל מבושל. כל זה באזהרת לא תאכלו (פסחים מא:):

Or boiled. All this is part of the prohibition: “Do not eat [it].”

במים. מנין לשאר משקין, תלמוד לומר ובשל מבושל מכל מקום (פסחים מא.):

In water. From where do we know other liquids [as well]? The Torah tells us וּבָשֵׁל מְבֻשָּׁל (not just וּמְבוּשָּׁל), [to include] anything [boiled].

כי אם צלי אש. למעלה גזר עליו במצות עשה, וכאן הוסיף עליו לא תעשה, אל תאכלו ממנו כי אם צלי אש:

But only roasted over fire. Above (in the previous verse) the Torah decrees it as a positive precept whereas, here, it adds a negative precept. I.e., “Do not eat from it unless roasted by fire.”

ראשו על כרעיו. צולהו כולו כאחד עם ראשו ועם כרעיו ועם קרבו, ובני מעיו נותן לתוכו אחר הדחתן (שם עד.). ולשון על כרעיו ועל קרבו, כלשון עַל צִבְאֹתָם (שמות ו, כו), כמו בצבאותם כמות שהן, אף זה כמות שהוא, כל בשרו משלם:

Its head with its knees. He roasts it all as one with its head together with its legs together with its inner parts and he places its intestines inside after having rinsed them. The word עַל of עַל כְּרָעָיו וְעַל קִרְבּוֹ is similar to [the עַל of] עַל צִבְאוֹתָם (v. 51) which is the same as with their hosts — just as they are (i.e., everyone). Here, too, [it means] just as it is, [he roasts] all its flesh, whole.

12:10

וְלֹא־תוֹתִירוּ מִמֶּנּוּ עַד־בֹּקֶר וְהַנֹּתָר מִמֶּנּוּ עַד־בֹּקֶר בָּאֵשׁ תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ׃

You must not leave any of it over until morning. Any of it left over until morning must be burned in fire.

You must not leave any of it over until morning. Any of it left over until morning must be burned in fire.

Rashi

והנותר ממנו עד בקר. מה תלמוד לומר עד בקר פעם שניה, ליתן בקר על בקר, שהבקר משמעו משעת הנץ החמה, ובא הכתוב להקדים שאסור באכילה מעלות השחר, זהו לפי משמעו. ועוד מדרש אחר, למד שאינו נשרף ביו"ט אלא ממחרת, וכך תדרשנו, והנותר ממנו בבקר ראשון, עד בקר שני תעמוד ותשרפנו:

Any of it left over until morning. What does the Torah intend to teach by mentioning עַד בֹּקֶר a second time? This is to add an [earlier] morning to the [previous] “morning,” because “morning” signifies the time of sunrise and the Torah intends to move the time back — that it is prohibited to eat [the korbon Pesach] after daybreak. That is the plain meaning. There is another [halachic] midrash: It teaches that it (the leftover Pesach) may not be burned on Yom Tov, but rather the next day, and this is how you ought to explain it: “And that which is left over on the first morning, on the following morning go and burn it.

12:11

וְכָכָה תֹּאכְלוּ אֹתוֹ מׇתְנֵיכֶם חֲגֻרִים נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם בְּרַגְלֵיכֶם וּמַקֶּלְכֶם בְּיֶדְכֶם וַאֲכַלְתֶּם אֹתוֹ בְּחִפָּזוֹן פֶּסַח הוּא לַיהֹוָֽה׃

This is how you must eat it: with your waist belted, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You must eat it in haste, it is a Pesach-offering to Adonoy.

This is how you must eat it: with your waist belted, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You must eat it in haste, it is a Pesach-offering to Adonoy.

Rashi

מתניכם חגורים. מזומנים לדרך:

With your waist belted — ready to travel.

בחפזון. לשון בהלה ומהירות, כמו וַיְהִי דָוִד נֶחְפָּז לָלֶכֶת (שמואל־א כג, כו), אֲשֶׁר הִשְׁלִיכוּ אֲרָם בְּחָפְזָם (מלכים־ב ז, טו):

In haste. [בְּחִפָּזוֹן is] a term denoting rushing and hurrying, as in: “And David (נֶחְפָּז) rushed to leave,” [or:] “which the Aramites threw away (בְחָפְזָם) in their rush.”

פסח הוא לה'. הקרבן הוא קרוי פסח, על שם הדלוג והפסיחה שהקב"ה מדלג בתי ישראל מבין בתי מצרים, וקופץ ממצרי למצרי וישראל אמצעי נמלט, ואתם עשו כל עבודותיו לשם שמים (דבר אחר)דרך דילוג וקפיצה, זכר לשמו שקרוי פסח, וגם פסק"א לשון פסיעה:

It is a Pesach-offering to Adonoy. The korbon (sacrifice) is called “Pesach” on account of the skipping and passing over, because God skipped over the Israelite houses that were among the Egyptian houses and He would jump from Egyptian to Egyptian and the Israelite in the middle escaped. “[Therefore,] you perform all its (the korbon Pesach) service for the sake of God” in a manner of skipping and springing (i.e., hastily) as a remembrance of its (i.e., the korbon’s) name which is called “Pesach” (“skipping or passing over”). Also, the word [for Passover] Paske [in Old French] denotes stepping-over.

12:12

וְעָבַרְתִּי בְאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַיִם בַּלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה וְהִכֵּיתִי כׇל־בְּכוֹר בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מֵאָדָם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָה וּבְכׇל־אֱלֹהֵי מִצְרַיִם אֶֽעֱשֶׂה שְׁפָטִים אֲנִי יְהֹוָֽה׃

I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and I will strike [kill] every first-born in the land of Egypt, from man to beast; and against all the gods of Egypt, I will execute judgments, I am Adonoy.

I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and I will strike [kill] every first-born in the land of Egypt, from man to beast; and against all the gods of Egypt, I will execute judgments, I am Adonoy.

Rashi

ועברתי. כמלך העובר ממקום למקום (מכילתא פ"ז), ובהעברה אחת וברגע אחד כולן לוקין:

I will pass. [This is meant allegorically:] as if He were a king who passes from place to place [but here it was] with one passing and in one instant that all were struck.

כל בכור בארץ מצרים. אף בכורות אחרים והם במצרים, ומנין אף בכורי מצרים שבמקומות אחרים, תלמוד לומר לְמַכֵּה מִצְרַיִם בִּבְכֹורֵיהֶם (תהלים קלו, י):

Every first born in the land of Egypt. [This includes] also other first-born who were in Egypt. From where do we derive that also Egyptian first-born who were in other places [were struck]? Scripture tells us: “To the One that struck the Egyptians through their first-born”

מאדם ועד בהמה. מי שהתחיל בעבירה תחלה ממנו מתחלת הפורענות:

From man to beast. [From] him who first began sinning, it is from him that punishment begins.

ובכל אלהי מצרים. של עץ נרקבת, ושל מתכת נמסת ונתכת לארץ:

And against all the gods of Egypt. [If it was] of wood it would rot, [if it was] of metal it would melt and be poured onto the ground.

אעשה שפטים אני ה'. אני בעצמי, ולא על ידי שליח:

I will execute judgments, I am Adonoy. “I myself, not through an agent.”

12:13

וְהָיָה הַדָּם לָכֶם לְאֹת עַל הַבָּתִּים אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם שָׁם וְרָאִיתִי אֶת־הַדָּם וּפָסַחְתִּי עֲלֵכֶם וְלֹֽא־יִֽהְיֶה בָכֶם נֶגֶף לְמַשְׁחִית בְּהַכֹּתִי בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

The blood will be for you as a sign on the houses where you are [staying]. I will see the blood and I will pass over you. There will be no plague against you when I strike the land of Egypt.

The blood will be for you as a sign on the houses where you are [staying]. I will see the blood and I will pass over you. There will be no plague against you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Rashi

והיה הדם לכם לאות. לכם לאות ולא לאחרים לאות, מכאן שלא נתנו הדם אלא מבפנים:

The blood will be for you as a sign. “As a sign to you” but not as a sign to others. From here [we derive] that they put blood only on the inside [of the doorposts].

וראיתי את הדם. הכל גלוי לפניו, אלא אמר הקב"ה נותן אני את עיני לראות שאתם עסוקים במצותי, ופוסח אני עליכם:

I will see the blood. [Surely] everything is revealed to Him! But [the explanation is:] God said, “I will set My attention to take note that you are occupied in the performance of My commands, and thereby I will pass over you.

ופסחתי. וחמלתי, ודומה לו פסוח וְהִמְלִיט (ישעיה לא, ה). ואני אומר, כל פסיחה לשון דלוג וקפיצה, ופסחתי, מדלג היה מבתי ישראל לבתי מצרים, שהיו שרוים זה בתוך זה, וכן פֹּסְחִים עַל שְׁתֵּי הַסְּעִפִּים (מלכים־א יח, כא), וכן כל הפסחים הולכים כקופצים, וכן פסוח והמליט, מדלגו וממלטו מבין המומתים:

And I will pass over. [וִּפָסַחְתִּי means:] I will take pity (or: spare). Similar to this is: “(פָּסוֹחַ) taking pity and sparing.” But I say that all terms relating to פְּסִיחָה have the meaning of skipping and jumping, [Thus] וּפָסַחְתִּי means that He skipped from the Israelite houses to the Egyptian houses, for they dwelt amongst each other. Similarly: “(פּוֹסְחִים) jumping between two opinions” Similarly all lame people [are called] פִּיסְחִים [because] they walk as though they were jumping. This, too, is the meaning of פָּסוֹחַ וְהִמְלִיט — “He skips over and saves it (Yerushalayim) from among those being killed.”

ולא יהיה בכם נגף. אבל הווה הוא במצרים. הרי שהיה מצרי בביתו של ישראל יכול ימלט, תלמוד לומר ולא יהיה בכם נגף, אבל הווה במצרי שבבתיכם. הרי שהיה ישראל בביתו של מצרי שומע אני ילקה כמותו, תלמוד לומר ולא יהיה בכם נגף (מכילתא פ"ז):

There will be no plague against you. But it will be among the Egyptians. If an Egyptian was in a Israelite house I might have thought that he would be saved. The Torah therefore says: “There will be no plague against you.”

12:14

וְהָיָה הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה לָכֶם לְזִכָּרוֹן וְחַגֹּתֶם אֹתוֹ חַג לַֽיהֹוָה לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם חֻקַּת עוֹלָם תְּחׇגֻּֽהוּ׃

This day shall be for you a [day of] remembrance. You shall celebrate it as a festival to Adonoy, throughout your generations. It is an eternal statute that you must celebrate it.

This day shall be for you a [day of] remembrance. You shall celebrate it as a festival to Adonoy, throughout your generations. It is an eternal statute that you must celebrate it.

Rashi

לזכרון. לדורות:

A remembrance — for [future] generations.

וחגתם אותו. יום שהוא לך לזכרון אתה חוגגו (שם), ועדיין לא שמענו אי זהו יום הזכרון, תלמוד לומר זָכֹור אֶת הַיֹּום הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר יְצָאתֶם, למדנו שיום היציאה הוא יום של זכרון, ואיזה יום יצאו, תלמוד לומר מִמָּחֳרַת הַפֶּסַח יָצְאוּ (במדבר לג, ג), הוי אומר יום ט"ו בניסן הוא של יו"ט, שהרי ליל ט"ו אכלו את הפסח ולבקר יצאו (מכילתא שם):

You shall celebrate it. The day which is for you a remembrance, you shall celebrate it. But we have not yet heard which day is the day of remembrance. The Torah therefore tells us: “Remember this day on which you left,” which teaches us that the day of the departure is the day of remembrance. And on which day did they depart? The Torah tells us: “On the day following the [korbon] Pesach they departed.” Thus, you must say that the fifteenth day of Nissan is a Yom Tov for on the eve of the fifteenth they ate the [korbon] Pesach and in the morning they departed.

לדרתיכם וגו'. שומע אני מעוט דורות שנים, תלמוד לומר חקת עולם תחגהו (מכילתא פ"ז):

Throughout your generations, etc. I might conclude that the minimum of “generations” is two. The Torah therefore says: “As a statute forever shall you celebrate it.”

12:15

שִׁבְעַת יָמִים מַצּוֹת תֹּאכֵלוּ אַךְ בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן תַּשְׁבִּיתוּ שְּׂאֹר מִבָּתֵּיכֶם כִּי ׀ כׇּל־אֹכֵל חָמֵץ וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל מִיּוֹם הָרִאשֹׁן עַד־יוֹם הַשְּׁבִעִֽי׃

You must eat matzos for seven days, but before the first day you must remove [all] leaven from your homes; for anyone who eats chametz, that soul will be cut off from Yisrael. [Chametz is forbidden] from the first day [of Pesach] until [after] the seventh day.

You must eat matzos for seven days, but before the first day you must remove [all] leaven from your homes; for anyone who eats chametz, that soul will be cut off from Yisrael. [Chametz is forbidden] from the first day [of Pesach] until [after] the seventh day.

Rashi

שבעת ימים. שטיי"נא של ימים:

Seven days. [שִׁבְעַת יָמִים denotes] a seiteine (Old French) of days

שבעת ימים מצות תאכלו. ובמקום אחר הוא אומר שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים תֹּאכַל מַצֹּות (דברים טז, ח), למד על שביעי של פסח שאינו חובה לאכול מצה, ובלבד שלא יאכל חמץ, מנין אף ששה רשות, תלמוד לומר ששת ימים. זו מדה בתורה, דבר שהיה בכלל ויצא מן הכלל ללמד, לא ללמד על עצמו בלבד יצא אלא ללמד על הכלל כלו יצא, מה שביעי רשות אף ששה רשות, יכול אף לילה הראשון רשות, תלמוד לומר בערב תאכלו מצות, הכתוב קבעו חובה (פסחים קכ.):

You must eat matzos for seven days. Whereas elsewhere it states: “Six days shall you eat matzos;” this teaches that on the seventh day of Pesach, it is not obligatory to eat matzoh, [the] only [obligation] is not to eat chametz. From where do we derive that the six other days are also voluntary? The Torah says: “Seven days.” This is one of the (thirteen) methods [through which] the Torah [is expounded]: Something that was included in a general rule and was singled out to teach [something new] was not singled out to teach only about itself but rather to teach [something new] concerning the rule as a whole [In this case it applies thus] just as [eating matzoh] the seventh day is voluntary so, too, are the [other] six days voluntary. You might think that the first night is also voluntary. Therefore, the Torah states: “In the evening [of the first day] you shall eat matzos.” Scripture [thereby] establishes it as an obligation.

אך ביום הראשון תשביתו שאור. מערב יום טוב, וקרוי ראשון לפי שהוא לפני השבעה, ומצינו מוקדם קרוי ראשון, כמו הֲרִאישֹׁון אָדָם תִּוָּלֵד (איוב טו, ז), הלפני אדם נולדת, או אינו אלא ראשון של שבעה, תלמוד לומר לֹא תִשְׁחַט עַל חָמֵץ, לא תשחט הפסח ועדיין חמץ קיים:

But before the first day you must remove leaven. [בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן means:] from the day before Yom Tov, and it is called רִאשׁוֹן (lit. first) because it comes ahead of the seven days. We find that that which precedes is called רִאשׁוֹן as in “הֲרִאשׁוֹן אָדָם תִּוָּלֵד” [which means] “Were you born before Adam?” But maybe it does refer to the first of the seven days? The Torah therefore states: “Do not slaughter upon chametz,” [meaning:] “Do not slaughter the korbon Pesach while there is still chametz [in your possession].

הנפש ההוא. כשהיא בנפשה ובדעתה, פרט לאנוס (מכילתא פ"ח):

That soul. When [that soul] has its full faculties and knowledge. This excludes [from kares] one who is forced.

מישראל. שומע אני תכרת מישראל ותלך לה לעם אחר, תלמוד לומר במקום אחר, מלפני, בכל מקום שהוא רשותי:

From Yisrael. It would seem that it is cut off from Yisrael and goes off to another nation. The Torah therefore tells us elsewhere: “[And the soul will be cut off] from My presence,” [i.e.,] “from anywhere which is My domain.”

12:16

וּבַיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם כׇּל־מְלָאכָה לֹא־יֵעָשֶׂה בָהֶם אַךְ אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל לְכׇל־נֶפֶשׁ הוּא לְבַדּוֹ יֵעָשֶׂה לָכֶֽם׃

The first day shall be a holy assembly and the seventh day shall be a holy assembly to you. No work shall be done on them, only for [the preparation of food] which will be eaten by every person, that alone may be done for you.

The first day shall be a holy assembly and the seventh day shall be a holy assembly to you. No work shall be done on them, only for [the preparation of food] which will be eaten by every person, that alone may be done for you.

Rashi

מקרא קדש. מקרא שם דבר, קרא אותו קדש, לאכילה, ושתייה, וכסות (מכילתא פ"ט):

A holy assembly. The word מִקְרָא is an infinitive — “you must proclaim its holiness by means of eating, drinking, and [special] clothing.”

לא יעשה בהם. אפי' על ידי אחרים:

[No work] shall be done on them. Even by others.

הוא לבדו. (יכול אף לעובד גלולים, תלמוד לומר הוא לבדו יעשה לכם, לכם ולא לעובד גלולים) הוא ולא מכשיריו שאפשר לעשותן מערב יום טוב:

That alone. (I might think that you may [prepare food] for non-Jews as well. Therefore the Torah states: “That alone may be done for yourselves” — for yourselves and not for non-Jews.) [הוּא stresses] it (the work itself), but not the preparations for it which can be done before Yom Tov.

לכל נפש. אפילו לבהמה, יכול אף לנכרים, תלמוד לומר לכם (נ"א אך) (ביצה כח:):

Every person. Even for an animal [it is permitted to prepare food]. You might think for non-Jews as well, therefore, the Torah states לָכֶם — for you.

12:17

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת־הַמַּצּוֹת כִּי בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה הוֹצֵאתִי אֶת־צִבְאוֹתֵיכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם חֻקַּת עוֹלָֽם׃

You must be vigilant regarding the matzos, for on this very day I brought out your hosts from the land of Egypt. You must preserve this day for your generations, it is an eternal statute.

You must be vigilant regarding the matzos, for on this very day I brought out your hosts from the land of Egypt. You must preserve this day for your generations, it is an eternal statute.

Rashi

ושמרתם את המצות. שלא יבאו לידי חמוץ, מכאן אמרו, תָּפַח, תִּלְטוֹשׁ בצונן. רבי יאשיה אומר, אל תהי קורא את הַמַּצּוֹת, אלא את הַמִּצְווֹת, כדרך שאין מחמיצין את המצות כך אין מחמיצין את המצוות, אלא אם באה לידך עשה אותה מיד:

You must be vigilant regarding the matzos — so that they do not become chametz. From this [the Sages] said: “If [the dough] has begun to rise pat it with cold moisture.” Rabbi Yashia says: “Do not read it: אֶת הַמַּצּוֹת, but, rather, אֶת הַמִּצְו‍ֹת (i.e., the mitzvos) [to teach us that] just as we hasten [in baking the matzos] so as not to permit the matzos to become chametz so, too, we must not permit the “leavening” of the mitzvos but, rather, if a chance [to fulfill a mitzvah] presents itself to you, do it immediately.

ושמרתם את היום הזה. ממלאכה:

You must preserve this day — from doing melachah (work prohibited on Yom Tov).

לדרתיכם חקת עולם. לפי שלא נאמר דורות וחקת עולם על המלאכה אלא על החגיגה, לכך חזר ושנאו כאן, שלא תאמר, אזהרת כל מלאכה לא יעשה, לא לדורות נאמרה אלא לאותו הדור:

For your generations it is an eternal statute. Since “generations” and “an eternal statute” was not said in regard to working, but only regarding the celebration of the festival, it is, therefore, repeated here, so that you may not say that the negative prohibition: “No work shall be done” was not said for future generations and only for that generation.

12:18

בָּרִאשֹׁן בְּאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ בָּעֶרֶב תֹּאכְלוּ מַצֹּת עַד יוֹם הָאֶחָד וְעֶשְׂרִים לַחֹדֶשׁ בָּעָֽרֶב׃

In the first [month] on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening you shall eat matzos; until the twenty-first day of the month in the evening.

In the first [month] on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening you shall eat matzos; until the twenty-first day of the month in the evening.

Rashi

עד יום האחד ועשרים. למה נאמר, והלא כבר נאמר שבעת ימים, לפי שנאמר ימים, לילות מנין, תלמוד לומר עד יום האחד וגו':

Until the twenty-first day. Why is this said — has it not already said: “seven days?” Since it has stated יָמִים — days from where do we derive “nights” as well? Therefore, the Torah states: until the [twenty]-first, etc.,

12:19

שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שְׂאֹר לֹא יִמָּצֵא בְּבָתֵּיכֶם כִּי ׀ כׇּל־אֹכֵל מַחְמֶצֶת וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מֵעֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּגֵּר וּבְאֶזְרַח הָאָֽרֶץ׃

For seven days leaven may not be found in your homes, for whoever eats chametz that soul shall be cut off from the community of Israel, whether a proselyte or a native born in the land.

For seven days leaven may not be found in your homes, for whoever eats chametz that soul shall be cut off from the community of Israel, whether a proselyte or a native born in the land.

Rashi

לא ימצא בבתיכם. מנין לגבולין, תלמוד לומר בכל גבולך. מה תלמוד לומר בבתיכם, מה ביתך ברשותך אף גבולך ברשותך, יצא חמצו של נכרי שהוא אצל ישראל ולא קבל עליו אחריות:

Leaven may not be found in your homes. From where do we know [that this applies] to [your properties] outside your house? The Torah therefore states: “[Leaven may not be seen] in all your boundaries.” Then why does the Torah state: “in your houses?” [This is to teach that] just as your house is within your dominion so, too, [does the prohibition of having chametz] “within your boundaries” [apply only to that] which is within your dominion. This would exclude a non-Jew’s chametz which is [stored] by a Jew for which the Jew accepted no responsibility

כי כל אוכל מחמצת. לענוש כרת על השאור, והלא כבר ענש על החמץ, אלא שלא תאמר, חמץ שראוי לאכילה ענש עליו, שאור שאינו ראוי לאכילה לא יענש עליו, ואם ענש על השאור ולא ענש על החמץ, הייתי אומר, שאור שהוא מחמץ אחרים ענש עליו, חמץ שאינו מחמץ אחרים לא יענש עליו, לכך נאמרו שניהם (מכילתא פ"י):

For whoever eats chametz. [This verse comes] to provide the punishment of kares for [the eating of] leaven (yeast) [on Pesach]. But has it not already provided for the kares punishment regarding [the eating of] chametz?! But [this was done so] that you should not say for chametz (bread) which is fit to eat, a punishment is provided, [whereas for] yeast, which is not fit to eat, he should not be punished. And [if the Torah] had provided punishment for yeast and not [mentioned] punishment for chametz, I would have said that [for] yeast, which renders other foods chametz a punishment is provided, whereas chametz which does not render other foods chametz one should not be punished for [eating] it. Therefore, both [chametz and yeast] are mentioned.

בגר ובאזרח הארץ. לפי שהנס נעשה לישראל, הוצרך לרבות את הגרים:

A proselyte or a native-born in the land. Since the miracle [of the Exodus from Egypt] was experienced [exclusively] by the Israelites, it was necessary to [specifically] include the converts.

12:20

כׇּל־מַחְמֶצֶת לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ בְּכֹל מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם תֹּאכְלוּ מַצּֽוֹת׃ {פ}

You must not eat anything that is chametz. In all your dwellings you shall eat matzos.

You must not eat anything that is chametz. In all your dwellings you shall eat matzos.

Rashi

מחמצת לא תאכלו. אזהרה על אכילת שאור:

You must not eat chametz. This is the warning against the eating of yeast.

כל מחמצת. להביא את תערובתו:

Anything that is chametz. [כָּל] includes its mixture [as well].

בכל מושבתיכם תאכלו מצות. זה בא ללמד שתהא ראויה ליאכל בכל מושבתיכם, פרט למעשר שני וחלות תודה (מכילתא פ"י ע"ש) (שאינה ראויה להאכל בכל מושבות אלא בירושלים):

In all your dwellings you shall eat matzos. This comes to teach that [the matzoh] must be fit to be eaten anywhere you reside This excludes Maaser Sheni and the breads of the thanksgiving korbon (which may not be eaten in all places of residence, but only in Jerusalem.).

12:21

וַיִּקְרָא מֹשֶׁה לְכׇל־זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם מִֽשְׁכוּ וּקְחוּ לָכֶם צֹאן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיכֶם וְשַׁחֲטוּ הַפָּֽסַח׃

Moshe called to all the elders of Yisrael, and he said to them, “Draw [from your flocks] or purchase for yourselves a lamb for your families and slaughter it as a Pesach offering.

Moshe called to all the elders of Yisrael, and he said to them, “Draw [from your flocks] or purchase for yourselves a lamb for your families and slaughter it as a Pesach offering.

Rashi

משכו. מי שיש לו צאן ימשוך משלו:

Draw. Whoever owns lambs shall draw one of his own —

וקחו. מי שאין לו יקח מן השוק:

Or purchase. Whoever does not own [lambs] shall acquire one from the marketplace.

למשפחותיכם. שה לבית אבות:

For your families. A lamb for each household.

12:22

וּלְקַחְתֶּם אֲגֻדַּת אֵזוֹב וּטְבַלְתֶּם בַּדָּם אֲשֶׁר־בַּסַּף וְהִגַּעְתֶּם אֶל־הַמַּשְׁקוֹף וְאֶל־שְׁתֵּי הַמְּזוּזֹת מִן־הַדָּם אֲשֶׁר בַּסָּף וְאַתֶּם לֹא תֵצְאוּ אִישׁ מִפֶּֽתַח־בֵּיתוֹ עַד־בֹּֽקֶר׃

Take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin. Touch the lintel and the two side [door] posts with some of the blood in the basin. And all of you, let no man go out the door of his house until morning.

Take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin. Touch the lintel and the two side [door] posts with some of the blood in the basin. And all of you, let no man go out the door of his house until morning.

Rashi

אזוב. מין ירק שיש לו גבעולין:

Hyssop. אֵזוֹב is a vegetable that has thin stems.

אגדת אזוב. ג' קלחין קרויין אגודה:

A bunch of Hyssop. Three stalks are called an אֲגדָּה — a bunch.

אשר בסף. בכלי, כמו ספות כסף:

Which is in the basin. [בַּסָּף means:] in a vessel, as in: (סִּפּוֹת) the pitcherlike vessels of silver.”

מן הדם אשר בסף. למה חזר ושנאו, שלא תאמר טבילה אחת לשלש המתנות, לכך נאמר עוד אשר בסף, שתהא כל נתינה ונתינה מן הדם אשר בסף, על כל הגעה טבילה:

With some of the blood in the basin. Why does [the verse] repeat (אֲשֶׁר בַּסָּף)? So that you should not say that one dipping [of the hyssop in the blood is sufficient] for the three sprinklings; אֲשֶׁר בַּסָּף is therefore written again so that each and every sprinkling should be from the blood which is in the basin — for every touching, a [separate] dipping.

ואתם לא תצאו וגו'. מגיד, שמאחר שנתנה רשות למשחית לחבל, אינו מבחין בין צדיק לרשע, ולילה רשות למחבלים היא, שנאמר בֹּו תִרְמֹשׂ כָּל חַיתֹו יָעַר (תהלים קד, כ):

And all of you, let [no man] go out, etc. This teaches that once dominion is given to the destroyer to do harm, he does not distinguish between a righteous person and an evil person. And night is when the destroying angels have dominion, as it is said: “[Then night comes] in which move about all the beasts of the forest.”

12:23

וְעָבַר יְהֹוָה לִנְגֹּף אֶת־מִצְרַיִם וְרָאָה אֶת־הַדָּם עַל־הַמַּשְׁקוֹף וְעַל שְׁתֵּי הַמְּזוּזֹת וּפָסַח יְהֹוָה עַל־הַפֶּתַח וְלֹא יִתֵּן הַמַּשְׁחִית לָבֹא אֶל־בָּתֵּיכֶם לִנְגֹּֽף׃

Adonoy will pass through to plague the Egyptians and He will see the blood on the lintel and on the two side [door] posts. Adonoy will then pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to plague you.

Adonoy will pass through to plague the Egyptians and He will see the blood on the lintel and on the two side [door] posts. Adonoy will then pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to plague you.

Rashi

ופסח. וחמל וי"ל ודלג:

Will pass over. [וּפָסַח means] “And He will take pity (or: spare).” One can also translate it: “And he skipped.”

ולא יתן המשחית. ולא יתן לו יכולת לבא, כמו וְלֹא נְתָנֹו אֱלֹהִים לְהָרַע עִמָּדִי (בראשית לא, ז):

And will not allow the destroyer. He will not give the destroyer the ability to come, as in: “God will not give him [the ability] to harm me.”

12:24

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה לְחׇק־לְךָ וּלְבָנֶיךָ עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃

You must preserve this [ritual] as a statute for you and your children forever.

You must preserve this [ritual] as a statute for you and your children forever.

12:25

וְהָיָה כִּֽי־תָבֹאוּ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יִתֵּן יְהֹוָה לָכֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת־הָעֲבֹדָה הַזֹּֽאת׃

When you come to the land that Adonoy will give to you, as He spoke, you must preserve this service.

When you come to the land that Adonoy will give to you, as He spoke, you must preserve this service.

Rashi

והיה כי תבאו. תלה הכתוב מצוה זו בביאתם לארץ, ולא נתחייבו במדבר אלא פסח אחד שעשו בשנה השנית על פי הדבור:

When you come to the land. Scripture makes this mitzvah dependent upon their coming into the land (Eretz Yisrael). They had no obligation to do so in the wilderness except for the one [korbon] Pesach which they fulfilled in the second year based on a Divine command.

כאשר דבר. והיכן דבר, וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם אֶל הָאָרֶץ וגו' (שמות ו, ח):

As He spoke. Where [or when] did He speak? [When He said,] “And I will bring you, etc.”

12:26

וְהָיָה כִּֽי־יֹאמְרוּ אֲלֵיכֶם בְּנֵיכֶם מָה הָעֲבֹדָה הַזֹּאת לָכֶֽם׃

When your children will ask you, “What is this service of yours?”

When your children will ask you, “What is this service of yours?”

12:27

וַאֲמַרְתֶּם זֶֽבַח־פֶּסַח הוּא לַֽיהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר פָּסַח עַל־בָּתֵּי בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּמִצְרַיִם בְּנׇגְפּוֹ אֶת־מִצְרַיִם וְאֶת־בָּתֵּינוּ הִצִּיל וַיִּקֹּד הָעָם וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃

You shall say, “It is the Pesach-offering to Adonoy Who passed over the houses of the B’nei Yisrael in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and saved our homes. The people then bowed and prostrated themselves.

You shall say, “It is the Pesach-offering to Adonoy Who passed over the houses of the B’nei Yisrael in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and saved our homes. The people then bowed and prostrated themselves.

Rashi

ויקד העם. על בשורת הגאולה, וביאת הארץ, ובשורת הבנים שיהיו להם:

The people then bowed. — [in thankfulness] for the foretelling of the redemption, and [their] coming into the land (Eretz Yisrael), and the foretelling of their having children.

12:28

וַיֵּלְכוּ וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן כֵּן עָשֽׂוּ׃ {ס}        

The B’nei Yisrael went and did as Adonoy commanded Moshe and Aharon. They [also] did so.

The B’nei Yisrael went and did as Adonoy commanded Moshe and Aharon. They [also] did so.

Rashi

וילכו ויעשו בני ישראל. וכי כבר עשו, והלא מראש חודש נאמר להם, אלא מכיון שקבלו עליהם, מעלה עליהם הכתוב כאלו עשו (מכילתא פי"ב):

The B’nei Yisrael went and did. But had they already done — were they not commanded from the first of the month? But [the answer is] that once they committed themselves, the Torah considers it just as if they had done it.

וילכו ויעשו. אף ההליכה מנה הכתוב, ליתן שכר להליכה ושכר לעשייה:

They went and did. The “going” is also mentioned in the Torah, in order to give reward for the “going” and reward for doing.

כאשר צוה ה' את משה ואהרן. להגיד שבחן של ישראל שלא הפילו דבר מכל מצות משה ואהרן, ומהו כן עשו, אף משה ואהרן כן עשו:

As Adonoy commanded Moshe and Aharon. In order to relate the praise of [the B’nei] Yisrael that they omitted absolutely nothing of all the commands of Moshe and Aharon. And what is meant by כֵּן עָשֹוּ — they did so? [This refers to the fact that] Moshe and Aharon, too, did so.

12:29

וַיְהִי ׀ בַּחֲצִי הַלַּיְלָה וַֽיהֹוָה הִכָּה כׇל־בְּכוֹר בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מִבְּכֹר פַּרְעֹה הַיֹּשֵׁב עַל־כִּסְאוֹ עַד בְּכוֹר הַשְּׁבִי אֲשֶׁר בְּבֵית הַבּוֹר וְכֹל בְּכוֹר בְּהֵמָֽה׃

It was [exactly] midnight and Adonoy struck down [killed] every first-born son in the land of Egypt, from the first-born son of Pharaoh sitting on his throne, to the first-born son of the captive [prisoner] who was in the dungeon, as well as every first-born animal.

It was [exactly] midnight and Adonoy struck down [killed] every first-born son in the land of Egypt, from the first-born son of Pharaoh sitting on his throne, to the first-born son of the captive [prisoner] who was in the dungeon, as well as every first-born animal.

Rashi

וה'. כל מקום שנאמר וה', הוא ובית דינו, שהוי"ו לשון תוספת הוא, כמו פלוני ופלוני:

And Adonoy. Wherever it states וה' (with the ו' prefix), it means He and His Divine court, for the letter ו' represents an addition as one says, “so-and-so as well as so-and-so.”

הכה כל בכור. אף של אומה אחרת והוא במצרים:

Struck down every first-born son. Even if he was of another nation, who was [at the time] in Egypt.

מבכור פרעה. אף פרעה בכור היה ונשתייר מן הבכורים, ועליו הוא אומר בַּעֲבוּר זֹאת הֶעֱמַדְתִּיךָ (שמות ט, טז):

From the first-born son (of) Pharaoh. Pharaoh, too, was a first-born son, but he was spared from the fate of the [other] first-born sons. It is he that is referred to when it states: “It is for this reason that I have spared you in order to show you My power in the Reed Sea.”

עד בכור השבי. שהיו שמחין לאידם של ישראל, ועוד שלא יאמרו יראתנו הביאה הפורענות זו. ובכור השפחה בכלל היה, שהרי מנה מן החשוב שבכלן עד הפחות, ובכור השפחה חשוב מבכור השבי:

To the first-born son of the captive. 1. Because they rejoiced at the misfortune of the Israelites. Also, so that they might not say: “It is our god that brought the punishment [on the Egyptians].” 2. The first-born of the slave-girl is included [here], because [this verse] lists [everyone] from the most important [down] to the least important, and the slave-girl’s first-born son is more important than the captive’s first-born son.

12:30

וַיָּקׇם פַּרְעֹה לַיְלָה הוּא וְכׇל־עֲבָדָיו וְכׇל־מִצְרַיִם וַתְּהִי צְעָקָה גְדֹלָה בְּמִצְרָיִם כִּֽי־אֵין בַּיִת אֲשֶׁר אֵֽין־שָׁם מֵֽת׃

Pharaoh arose at night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no house where there were no dead.

Pharaoh arose at night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no house where there were no dead.

Rashi

ויקם פרעה. ממטתו:

Pharaoh arose — from his bed —

לילה. ולא כדרך המלכים בשלש שעות ביום:

at night — and not as is customary for kings [to arise] three hours into the day.

הוא. תחלה, ואחר כך עבדיו, מלמד שהיה הוא מחזר על בתי עבדיו ומעמידן:

He — first, and afterwards his servants. This teaches us that he (Pharaoh) made the rounds of his servants’ houses and made them get up.

כי אין בית אשר אין שם מת. יש שם בכור, מת, אין שם בכור, גדול שבבית קרוי בכור, שנאמר אַף אָנִי בְּכֹור אֶתְּנֵהוּ (תהלים פט, כח). דבר אחר, מצריות מזנות תחת בעליהן ויולדות מרווקים פנויים, והיו להם בכורות הרבה, פעמים הם חמשה לאשה אחת, כל אחד בכור לאביו:

For there was no house where there were no dead. If a first-born son was there, he died If there was no first-born there, then, the eldest of the household is regarded as a בְּכוֹר, as it is said: “I, too, will appoint him a בְּכוֹר .” An alternate explanation: The Egyptian women were unfaithful to their husbands and bore children from single unmarried men and they (these men) thereby had many first-born sons, sometimes [as many as] five to one woman, each one being a first-born son to his father.

12:31

וַיִּקְרָא לְמֹשֶׁה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹן לַיְלָה וַיֹּאמֶר קוּמוּ צְּאוּ מִתּוֹךְ עַמִּי גַּם־אַתֶּם גַּם־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְכוּ עִבְדוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה כְּדַבֶּרְכֶֽם׃

[Pharaoh] called for Moshe and Aharon that night and said, “Set out! Get out from among my people, both you and the B’nei Yisrael. Go worship Adonoy as you have said [requested].

[Pharaoh] called for Moshe and Aharon that night and said, “Set out! Get out from among my people, both you and the B’nei Yisrael. Go worship Adonoy as you have said [requested].

Rashi

ויקרא למשה ולאהרן לילה. מגיד שהיה מחזר על פתחי העיר וצועק, היכן משה שרוי, היכן אהרן שרוי:

He called for Moshe and Aharon that night. This tells us that he (Pharaoh) went around to the various entrances (i.e., districts) of the city shouting, “Where does Moshe reside? — Where does Aharon reside?”

גם אתם. הגברים:

Both you — the men.

גם בני ישראל. הטף:

And the B’nei Yisrael — the infants.

ולכו עבדו וגו' כדברכם. הכל כמו שאמרתם, ולא כמו שאמרתי אני, בטל לא אשלח, בטל מי ומי ההולכים, בטל רק צאנכם ובקרכם יצג:

Go worship, etc., as you have said. Everything [shall be] as you have said and not as I have said. Void is [my statement:] “I will not send.” Void is [my statement:] “Who and who are going?” Void is [my statement:] “Only your sheep and cattle shall remain.”

12:32

גַּם־צֹאנְכֶם גַּם־בְּקַרְכֶם קְחוּ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתֶּם וָלֵכוּ וּבֵֽרַכְתֶּם גַּם־אֹתִֽי׃

Take your sheep and cattle too, as you have said and go; bless me too.

Take your sheep and cattle too, as you have said and go; bless me too.

Rashi

גם צאנכם גם בקרכם קחו. מהו כאשר דברתם, גַּם אַתָּה תִּתֵּן בְּיָדֵינוּ זְבָחִים וְעֹלֹות (שמות י, כה):

Take your sheep and cattle too. What is [stressed] כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתֶּם — as you have said? [It alludes to:] “You yourself will place in our hands [animals for] korbonos and burnt-offerings take, as you have said.”

וברכתם גם אותי. התפללו עלי שלא אמות, שאני בכור (מכילתא פי"ג):

Bless me too. [Meaning:] “Pray for me that I do not die, for I am a first-born son.”

12:33

וַתֶּחֱזַק מִצְרַיִם עַל־הָעָם לְמַהֵר לְשַׁלְּחָם מִן־הָאָרֶץ כִּי אָמְרוּ כֻּלָּנוּ מֵתִֽים׃

The Egyptians pressed the people to hurry them—to send them out of the land, for they said, “We are all dead men.”

The Egyptians pressed the people to hurry them—to send them out of the land, for they said, “We are all dead men.”

Rashi

כלנו מתים. אמרו, לא כגזרת משה הוא, שהרי אמר ומת כל בכור, וכאן אף הפשוטים מתים, ה' או י' בבית אחד (שם):

We are all dead men! They said: “This is not the same as Moshe’s decree for he had said, ‘Every first-born will die,’ and here the ordinary ones are dying — five or ten in the same house.

12:34

וַיִּשָּׂא הָעָם אֶת־בְּצֵקוֹ טֶרֶם יֶחְמָץ מִשְׁאֲרֹתָם צְרֻרֹת בְּשִׂמְלֹתָם עַל־שִׁכְמָֽם׃

The people took their dough before it was leavened. Their leftovers were wrapped in their clothing, [and carried] on their shoulders.

The people took their dough before it was leavened. Their leftovers were wrapped in their clothing, [and carried] on their shoulders.

Rashi

טרם יחמץ. המצריים לא הניחום לשהות כדי חימוץ:

Before it was leavened. The Egyptians did not let them procrastinate long enough [for the dough] to become chametz.

משארתם. שירי מצה ומרור (שם):

Their leftovers. [I.e.,] what was left of their matzoh and maror.

על שכמם. אע"פ שבהמות הרבה הוליכו עמהם, מחבבים היו את המצות (שם):

On their shoulders. Although they took with them many animals, they nevertheless showed their love for the mitzvah.

12:35

וּבְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל עָשׂוּ כִּדְבַר מֹשֶׁה וַֽיִּשְׁאֲלוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם כְּלֵי־כֶסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב וּשְׂמָלֹֽת׃

The B’nei Yisrael did as Moshe said, and they requested of the Egyptians silver articles and gold articles and clothing.

The B’nei Yisrael did as Moshe said, and they requested of the Egyptians silver articles and gold articles and clothing.

Rashi

כדבר משה. שאמר להם במצרים, וְיִשְׁאֲלוּ אִישׁ מֵאֵת רֵעֵהוּ (שמות יא, ב):

As Moshe said. For he had told them in Egypt, “Each man shall borrow from his friend.”

ושמלת. אף הן היו חשובות להם מן הכסף ומן הזהב, והמאוחר בפסוק חשוב (מכילתא שם):

And clothing. These were even dearer to them than silver and gold. the later [something is listed] in the verse the dearer [it is].

12:36

וַֽיהֹוָה נָתַן אֶת־חֵן הָעָם בְּעֵינֵי מִצְרַיִם וַיַּשְׁאִלוּם וַֽיְנַצְּלוּ אֶת־מִצְרָֽיִם׃ {פ}

Adonoy granted the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they granted their request. They [B’nei Yisrael thus] drained Egypt of its wealth.

Adonoy granted the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they granted their request. They [B’nei Yisrael thus] drained Egypt of its wealth.

Rashi

וישאלום. אף מה שלא היו שואלים מהם היו נותנים להם, אתה אומר אחד טול שנים ולך:

And they granted their request. Even that which they did not request of them they gave to them — “You asked for one — take two and go!”

וינצלו. ורוקינו:

They drained. [As Onkelos translates it:] וְרוֹקִינוּ — they emptied.

12:37

וַיִּסְעוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵרַעְמְסֵס סֻכֹּתָה כְּשֵׁשׁ־מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף רַגְלִי הַגְּבָרִים לְבַד מִטָּֽף׃

The B’nei Yisrael traveled from Ramseis to Sukkos. There were about six hundred thousand males on foot besides the children.

The B’nei Yisrael traveled from Ramseis to Sukkos. There were about six hundred thousand males on foot besides the children.

Rashi

מרעמסס סכתה. ק"ך מיל היו, ובאו שם לפי שעה, שנאמר וָאֶשָׂא אֶתְכֶם עַל כַּנְפֵי נְשָׁרִים (שמות יט, ד):

From Ramseis to Sukkos. [The distance between them] was 120 miles but they came there in a moment, as it is said: “And I carried you on eagles’ wings.”

הגברים: מבן עשרים שנה ומעלה:

Males — who were twenty years and older.

12:38

וְגַם־עֵרֶב רַב עָלָה אִתָּם וְצֹאן וּבָקָר מִקְנֶה כָּבֵד מְאֹֽד׃

A great mixture [of nationalities] also went up with them. There were [also] sheep and cattle, a huge amount of livestock.

A great mixture [of nationalities] also went up with them. There were [also] sheep and cattle, a huge amount of livestock.

Rashi

ערב רב. תערובות אומות של גרים:

A great mixture. A mixture of various nations who were proselytes.

12:39

וַיֹּאפוּ אֶת־הַבָּצֵק אֲשֶׁר הוֹצִיאוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם עֻגֹת מַצּוֹת כִּי לֹא חָמֵץ כִּֽי־גֹרְשׁוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם וְלֹא יָֽכְלוּ לְהִתְמַהְמֵהַּ וְגַם־צֵדָה לֹא־עָשׂוּ לָהֶֽם׃

They baked the dough that they had brought out of Egypt into matzoh cakes, for it was not leavened. Since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, they had also not prepared provisions for themselves.

They baked the dough that they had brought out of Egypt into matzoh cakes, for it was not leavened. Since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, they had also not prepared provisions for themselves.

Rashi

עגות מצות. חררה של מצה. בצק שלא החמיץ קרוי מצה:

Matzoh cakes. [עֻגֹת מַצּוֹת means:] cake made of unleavened bread. Dough that has not leavened is called matzoh.

וגם צדה לא עשו להם. לדרך. מגיד שבחן של ישראל, שלא אמרו האיך נצא למדבר בלא צדה, אלא האמינו והלכו (מכילתא פי"ד), הוא שמפורש בקבלה זָכַרְתִּי לָךְ חֶסֶד נְעוּרַיִךְ אַהֲבַת כְּלוּלֹתָיִךְ לֶכְתֵּךְ אַחֲרַי בַּמִדְבָּר בְּאֶרֶץ לֹא זְרוּעָה (ירמיה ב, ב), ומה שכר מפורש אחריו קֹדֶש יִשְׂרָאֵל לַה' וגו':

They had also not prepared provisions for themselves — for the journey. This tells the praise of the Israelites, that they did not say, “How can we go out into the wilderness without provisions?,” but rather they had faith and they went. This is what is explicitly told in the Prophets: “I (God) remember to you the love of your youth, the love of your betrothal [to Me], when you followed Me into the wilderness — into a land that was not sown.” And what reward is set forth afterwards? “Yisrael is hallowed to Adonoy, etc.”

12:40

וּמוֹשַׁב בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר יָשְׁבוּ בְּמִצְרָיִם שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָֽה׃

The habitation of the B’nei Yisrael living in Egypt lasted four hundred and thirty years.

The habitation of the B’nei Yisrael living in Egypt lasted four hundred and thirty years.

Rashi

אשר ישבו במצרים. אחר שאר הישיבות שישבו גרים בארץ לא להם:

Living in Egypt. After the other settlements where they settled as strangers in a land that was not theirs.

שלשים שנה וארבע מאות שנה. בין הכל, משנולד יצחק עד עכשיו היו ארבע מאות שנה, משהיה לו זרע לאברהם נתקיים כי גר יהיה זרעך, ושלשים שנה היו משנגזרה גזירת בין הבתרים עד שנולד יצחק. ואי אפשר לומר בארץ מצרים לבדה, שהרי קהת מן הבאים עם יעקב היה, צא וחשוב כל שנותיו וכל שנות עמרם בנו ושמנים של משה, לא תמצאם כל כך, ועל כרחך הרבה שנים היו לקהת עד שלא ירד למצרים, והרבה משנות עמרם נבלעים בשנות קהת, והרבה משמונים של משה נבלעים בשנות עמרם, הרי שלא תמצא ארבע מאות לביאת מצרים, והוזקקת לומר על כרחך שאף שאר הישיבות נקראו גרות, אפילו בחברון, כענין שנאמר אֲשֶׁר גָּר שָׁם אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק (בראשית לה, כז), ואומר אֵת אֶרֶץ מְגֻרֵיהֶם אֲשֶׁר גָרוּ בָהּ (שמות ו, ד), לפיכך אתה צריך לומר כי גר יהיה זרעך, משהיה לו זרע, וכשתמנה ארבע מאות שנה משנולד יצחק, תמצא מביאתן למצרים עד יציאתן ר"י שנה, וזה אחד מן הדברים ששינו לתלמי המלך:

Four hundred and thirty years. Altogether, from when Yitzchok was born until now, there were four hundred years. [Our reckoning is from then] because [only] from the time that Avraham had a child could there be a fulfillment [of the prophecy]: “For your descendant will be a stranger,” and thirty years passed from when the decree of “between the pieces” was decreed until the birth of Yitzchok. One cannot say [that the 430 years was] in the land of Egypt alone, for Kehos was among those who came with Yaakov. Now go and calculate all his years and all the years of his son Amram

12:41

וַיְהִי מִקֵּץ שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וַיְהִי בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יָצְאוּ כׇּל־צִבְאוֹת יְהֹוָה מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

It was at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, and on that very day all of Adonoy’s multitudes went out of the land of Egypt.

It was at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, and on that very day all of Adonoy’s multitudes went out of the land of Egypt.

Rashi

ויהי מקץ שלשים שנה וגו' ויהי בעצם היום הזה. מגיד, שכיון שהגיע הקץ, לא עכבן המקום כהרף עין, בט"ו בניסן באו מלאכי השרת אצל אברהם לבשרו, בט"ו בניסן נולד יצחק, ובט"ו בניסן נגזרה גזירת בין הבתרים (מכילתא פי"ד):

It was at the end of [four hundred and] thirty years, etc. And on that very day This tells us that the moment the bondage ended God did not detain them for even the blink of an eye: [This therefore tells us that] on the fifteenth of Nissan the serving angels came to Avraham to foretell to him (the birth of Yitzchok), On the fifteenth of Nissan Yitzchok was born and on the fifteenth of Nissan the decree of “between the pieces” was decreed.

12:42

לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים הוּא לַֽיהֹוָה לְהוֹצִיאָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם הֽוּא־הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה לַֽיהֹוָה שִׁמֻּרִים לְכׇל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְדֹרֹתָֽם׃ {פ}

This was a night of vigil for Adonoy, to bring them out of the land of Egypt. This night remains a night of vigil to Adonoy for all the B’nei Yisrael for [all] their generations.

This was a night of vigil for Adonoy, to bring them out of the land of Egypt. This night remains a night of vigil to Adonoy for all the B’nei Yisrael for [all] their generations.

Rashi

ליל שמרים. שהיה הקב"ה שומר ומצפה לו לקיים הבטחתו להוציאם מארץ מצרים:

A night of vigil — to which God watched and looked forward in order to fulfill His promise to take them out of Egypt.

הוא הלילה הזה לה'. הוא הלילה שאמר לאברהם בלילה הזה אני גואל את בניך:

This night remains a night [of vigil] to Adonoy. This is the night about which He said to Avraham, “It is on this night that I will redeem your children.”

שמרים לכל בני ישראל לדרתם. מְשֻׁמָּר ובא מן המזיקין, כענין שנאמר וְלֹא יִתֵּן הַמַשְׁחִית וגו':

A night of vigil for all the B’nei Yisrael for their generations. It is continuously protected from destructive forces. As is said: “He will not permit the destroyer, etc.”

12:43

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן זֹאת חֻקַּת הַפָּסַח כׇּל־בֶּן־נֵכָר לֹא־יֹאכַל בּֽוֹ׃

Adonoy said to Moshe and Aharon, “This is the statute of the Pesach offering: No alien may eat it.

Adonoy said to Moshe and Aharon, “This is the statute of the Pesach offering: No alien may eat it.

Rashi

זאת חקת הפסח. בי"ד בניסן נאמרה להם פרשה זו:

This is the statute of the Pesach offering. This section was told to them on the 14th of Nissan.

כל בן נכר. שנתנכרו מעשיו לאביו שבשמים (פסחים צו.), ואחד נכרי ואחד ישראל מומר במשמע (מכילתא פט"ו):

[No] alien. [So called] because his deeds have become alienated from his Father in heaven. Both a non-Jew and a Jewish apostate are included [in the words כָּל בֶּן נֵכָר].

12:44

וְכׇל־עֶבֶד אִישׁ מִקְנַת־כָּסֶף וּמַלְתָּה אֹתוֹ אָז יֹאכַל בּֽוֹ׃

However each man’s slave [if he was]purchased with money, you must circumcise him and then he may eat it.

However each man’s slave [if he was]purchased with money, you must circumcise him and then he may eat it.

Rashi

ומלתה אותו אז יאכל בו. רבו, מגיד שמילת עבדיו מעכבתו מלאכול בפסח (יבמות ע:), דברי רבי יהושע. רבי אליעזר אומר, אין מילת עבדיו מעכבתו מלאכול בפסח, א"כ מה תלמוד לומר אז יאכל בו, העבד:

You must circumcise him and then he may eat it. [“He” refers to] his master. This teaches that his uncircumcised slaves prevent him from partaking of the korbon Pesach; This is the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua. Rabbi Eliezer says: His uncircumcised slaves do not prevent him from partaking of the korbon Pesach. If so, what is the meaning of “And then he may eat it”? [It refers to] the slave.

12:45

תּוֹשָׁב וְשָׂכִיר לֹא־יֹאכַל בּֽוֹ׃

An [alien] sojourner or hired worker may not eat it.

An [alien] sojourner or hired worker may not eat it.

Rashi

תושב. זה גר תושב:

A sojourner. This refers to a stranger who settles in Eretz Yisrael.

ושכיר. זה הנכרי, ומה תלמוד לומר, והלא ערלים הם ונאמר וְכָל עָרֵל לֹא יֹאכַל בֹּו, אלא כגון ערבי מהול וגבעוני מהול והוא תושב או שכיר:

Hired worker. This refers to a non-Jew. But why does the Torah need to tell us this — are they not uncircumcised — and it states: No uncircumcised may eat of it? But [the answer is that it refers to] a circumcised Arab or a circumcised Givonite who is either a תּוֹשָׁב or a שָׂכִיר .

12:46

בְּבַיִת אֶחָד יֵאָכֵל לֹא־תוֹצִיא מִן־הַבַּיִת מִן־הַבָּשָׂר חוּצָה וְעֶצֶם לֹא תִשְׁבְּרוּ־בֽוֹ׃

It must be eaten in one house. You must not remove from the house any of its flesh, to the outdoors, and you must not break any of its bones.

It must be eaten in one house. You must not remove from the house any of its flesh, to the outdoors, and you must not break any of its bones.

Rashi

בבית אחד יאכל. בחבורה אחת, שלא יעשו הנמנין עליו שתי חבורות ויחלקוהו, אתה אומר בחבורה אחת או אינו אלא בבית אחד כמשמעו, וללמד שאם התחילו והיו אוכלים בחצר וירדו גשמים שלא יכנסו לבית, תלמוד לומר על הבתים אשר יאכלו אותו בהם, מכאן שהאוכל, אוכל בשני מקומות (מכילתא פט"ו):

It must be eaten in one house — as one group — that those who were counted [as members] of it shall not [break up] into two groups and divide it up [among the two groups]. You say that [בְּבַיִת אֶחָד means] one group or maybe this is not so but [it means] in one house as is its plain meaning and it comes to teach that if they had begun and were eating in the courtyard and rain began to fall, that they may not enter the house. Therefore, the Torah tells us: “On the houses in which they will eat,” from this [we infer] that whoever eats it may eat it in two places.

לא תוציא מן הבית. מן החבורה:

You must not remove from the house. [Meaning:] from the group.

ועצם לא תשברו בו. הראוי לאכילה, כגון שיש עליו כזית בשר יש בו משום שבירת עצם, אין עליו כזית בשר או מוח, אין בו משום שבירת עצם:

And you must not break any of its bones. [A bone] that is edible as, for example, if it has upon it a kezayis piece of flesh, there is the prohibition against breaking the bone. If it does not have upon it a kezayis of flesh or marrow, there is no prohibition against breaking the bone.

12:47

כׇּל־עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל יַעֲשׂוּ אֹתֽוֹ׃

The entire community of Yisrael must make this [offering].

The entire community of Yisrael must make this [offering].

Rashi

כל עדת ישראל יעשו אותו. למה נאמר, לפי שהוא אומר בפסח מצרים שה לבית אבות, שנמנו עליו למשפחות, יכול אף פסח דורות כן, תלמוד לומר כל עדת ישראל יעשו אותו:

The entire community of Yisrael must make this offering. Why is this said? Because about the Pesach in Egypt it states: “A lamb for a family” [i.e.,] they were assigned to it according to families; I might therefore think that this holds true for the Pesach of later generations. The Torah therefore tells us: “The entire community of Israel shall make it.”

12:48

וְכִֽי־יָגוּר אִתְּךָ גֵּר וְעָשָׂה פֶסַח לַיהֹוָה הִמּוֹל לוֹ כׇל־זָכָר וְאָז יִקְרַב לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ וְהָיָה כְּאֶזְרַח הָאָרֶץ וְכׇל־עָרֵל לֹֽא־יֹאכַל בּֽוֹ׃

When a proselyte dwells with you and wants to make the Pesach-offering to Adonoy, every male must be circumcised. He may then come near [join] to make it, and be like the native born. But no uncircumcised male may eat of it.

When a proselyte dwells with you and wants to make the Pesach-offering to Adonoy, every male must be circumcised. He may then come near [join] to make it, and be like the native born. But no uncircumcised male may eat of it.

Rashi

ועשה פסח. יכול כל המתגייר יעשה פסח מיד, תלמוד לומר והיה כאזרח הארץ, מה אזרח בארבעה עשר אף גר בארבעה עשר:

And wants to make the Pesach-offering. I might think that when one converts he must immediately do the korbon Pesach service, the Torah therefore tells us: “and he shall be like the native born” — just as the native-born [brings the Pesach] on the 14th so, too, the convert [brings it] on the 14th.

וכל ערל לא יאכל בו. להביא את שמתו אחיו מחמת מילה, שאינו מומר לערלות ואינו נלמד מבן נכר לא יאכל בו:

But no uncircumcised male may eat it. [This is stated] to include [in the prohibition] someone whose brothers have died as a result of circumcision whereby he is not an apostate regarding circumcision, and [his prohibition against eating it] cannot be ascertained from “any alien may not eat of it.”

12:49

תּוֹרָה אַחַת יִהְיֶה לָֽאֶזְרָח וְלַגֵּר הַגָּר בְּתוֹכְכֶֽם׃

There shall be one law for the native born and for the proselyte who dwells among you.

There shall be one law for the native born and for the proselyte who dwells among you.

Rashi

תורה אחת וגו'. להשוות גר לאזרח אף לשאר מצות שבתורה (מכילתא שם):

One law, etc. To equate the convert with the native-born regarding the other mitzvos of the Torah.

12:50

וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ כׇּל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן כֵּן עָשֽׂוּ׃ {ס}        

All the B’nei Yisrael did as Adonoy commanded Moshe and Aharon. They [Moshe and Aharon] also did so.

All the B’nei Yisrael did as Adonoy commanded Moshe and Aharon. They [Moshe and Aharon] also did so.

12:51

וַיְהִי בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה הוֹצִיא יְהֹוָה אֶת־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם עַל־צִבְאֹתָֽם׃ {פ}

On that very day, Adonoy took the B’nei Yisrael out of Egypt in their multitudes.

On that very day, Adonoy took the B’nei Yisrael out of Egypt in their multitudes.

Texts

  • Hebrew: Miqra according to the Masorah · License: CC-BY-SA
  • English: Metsudah Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009 · License: CC-BY
  • Hebrew: Rashi Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009 · License: CC-BY
  • English: Rashi Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009 · License: CC-BY

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