1)

What role did the elders play?

1.

Ramban #1 (citing the Mechilta - according to R. Yoshiyah): The elders gathered the people to Moshe, and he issued them with the instructions.

2.

Ramban #2 (citing the Mechilta - according to R. Yonasan): Moshe instructed the elders, and it was they who passed it on to the people. 1


1

Ramban: In which case, "Speak to the congregation of Yisrael" (12:3, above) was said with reference to the elders, who are called "Edah" (See Bamidbar 15:24).

2)

Why did Moshe address specifically the elders?

1.

Mechilta: He went in the footsteps of Hashem, who always gave honor to the Zekeinim. 1

2.

Oznayim la'Torah: This was still part of the Parshah of "Ha'Chodesh ha'Zeh Lachem" (12:2), which was said to the whole of Yisrael - and indeed, the whole of Yisrael were currently still standing in front of Moshe and Aharon. 2 Only, on account of the element of Mesiras Nefesh involved, Moshe addressed the Zekeinim to take a lamb and tie it to their bedposts, to act as examples to the rest of the people - who would then follow suit and do likewise.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 185.

2

Oznayim la'Torah: As is evident from 12:28.

3)

What are the implications of the double expression, "Mishchu u'Kechu [Lachem Tzon]"?

1.

Rashi #1: It means that if one owns flocks, one should draw a lamb or a kid-goat from there; and if not, then he must purchase one from the market. 1

2.

Rashi #2 (to 12:6) and Targum Yonasan: It means 'Withdraw from the Egyptians' Avodah-Zarah (because they were steeped in Avodah Zarah - Rashi), and take for yourselves 2 lambs for the Mitzvah!' 3

3.

Ramban #1: Moshe, who was speaking to the people on Rosh Chodesh Nisan, 4 now instructed them to draw a lamb from the flock to their house on the tenth of Nisan, 5 and to take it and slaughter it as a Korban Pesach on the fourteenth. 6

4.

Ramban #2: He meant they should fetch a lamb from their flocks, which were situated in Goshen, far from where they resided.

5.

Yerushalmi Kidushin, 11:4: It teaches us that one acquires a small animal by means of Meshichah (by leading it or causing it to walk). 7

6.

Mechilta #1 (according to the Chachamim): It means that those who have should withdraw from their flocks; and those who don't should purchase.

7.

Mechilta #2 (according to R. Yossi): and Pesikta: It means 'Withdraw from idolatry, and cleave to Mitzvos.' 8


1

But isn't this obvious? See Maharal (12:21:2.1:1).

2

Refer to 12:6:2:1.

3

Gur Aryeh: Why does Rashi give two interpretations? A Midrashic interpretation never replaces the verse's simple Peshat - and so Rashi explains here. But this Peshat is obvious; why need it be said? That is why Rashi also cites the Midrash (in his comments to 12:6).

4

Refer to 11:4:2:1.

5

Refer to 12:6:1 and 12:6:2.

6

Ramban: In keeping with the instructions that he gave them earlier in the chapter.

7

See Torah Temimah, note 186.

8

See Torah Temimah, note 188.

4)

Why does the Torah write "v'Shachatu ha'Pasach," and not 'v'Shachatu Oso' (as it did in 12:6)?

1.

Mechilta: To teach us that the lamb must be Shechted specifically for the sake of a Pesach - otherwise, it is Pasul.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

5)

Rashi writes: "U'Kechu - Whoever does not have [a sheep], should purchase it in the market." Isn't this obvious?

1.

Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 37, p. 139): Usually, one is not obligated to spend all of his assets to fulfill one Mitzvas Aseh. 1 In this case, however, a Jew would have had to spend everything he had, in order to purchase a Korban Pesach - if he wanted to be saved from Makas Bechoros.


1

Rather, no more than one-fifth (see Tosafos to Bava Kama 9b).

6)

Rashi writes: "'For your families' - [As the verse said above,] 'a sheep for each fathers' house' (12:3)." What is Rashi explaining?

1.

Gur Aryeh: We should not interpret that all the families should go and buy sheep together; but rather, that each family should acquire one sheep. 1


1

Maharal: Why was this first Korban Pesach in Mitzrayim, a family Mitzvah? Refer to 12:3:6.1.

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