1)

Why does the Torah juxtapose Pesach to Avodah Zarah?

1.

Seforno: After forbidding turning to molten images to attain success in this world, 1 the Torah presents the correct method of attaining success - with regard to the ripening, the harvesting and the ingathering of one's crops and the acquiring of wealth. 2

2.

Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim and Rosh (in Pasuk 17): It serves a warning against concocting a new festival, like they did by the Eigel, when they declared "Chag la'Hashem Machar", and against initiating a day for idolatry, but rather, to observe the Yom-Tov of Pesach, which Hashem commanded us to observe.

3.

Pesachim, 118a: To teach us that if someone treats Yom-Tov (Chol ha'Mo'ed) lightly, it is as if he worshipped Avodah Zarah. 3

4.

Yerushalmi, Chagigah 3:1: The Torah juxtaposes "es Chag ha'Matzos Tishmor" to Avodah Zarah, to teach us that if someone is capable of declaring a leap-year 4 and fails to do so, it is as if he worshipped Avodah Zarah.

5.

Oznayim la'Torah (on Pasuk 22): The Torah juxtaposes Pesach and the Yamim Yovim to Avodah Zarah to teach us that the Yamim-Tovim create a safeguard against Avodah Zarah, 5


1

Refer to 34:17:1:1.

2

Which the Torah now lists in the order that they were given to Yisrael when they left Egypt: Refer to 34:18:2:1.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 20 1 and Torah Temimah in Mishpatim, 23:15, note 97 DH 've'Hinei Yadu'a', who elborates.

4

See Torah Temimah, note 21.

5

Oznayim la'Torah Ibid.): Refer to 34:18:1:3. See Oznayim la'Torah

2)

What is the reason for the sequence of the Mitzvos listed in the current Pesukim?

1.

Seforno: a. Pesach - which brings a B'rachah to the crops as they ripen; b. B'choros - a B'rachah on one's flocks; c. Shabbos - a B'rachah for the week, and Sh'mitah - for the other six years of the cycle; d. Shavu'os - a B'rachah on the harvest of the crops e. Sukos - a B'rachah for the ingathering of the crops, followed by the Mitzvah of going to Yerushalayim on Yom-Tov, pertaining to all the Shalosh Regalim. And f. the Torah presents Mitzvos that pertain to Pesach 1 and that apply to the seasons of Shavu'os 2 and of Sukos. 3


1

34:25 (Seforno).

2

34:26 - the Mitzvah of Bikurim. See Bikurim, 1:6 (Seforno).

3

34:26 - The prohibition of cooking a kid in its mother's milk. See Rosh Hashanah, 2b (Seforno).

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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