Exodus (Sh'mot)
Chapter 12
Instructions
for PassoverA couple of weeks before Passover, there is an additional Torah portion that is read in synagogues on Shabbat: Exodus chapter 12. This chapter describes the very first Passover as it was observed in ancient Egypt, that very fateful day when the Israelites left their homes in Egypt, en route to the Land that their forefathers had left 430 years earlier.

Rav Richard

'Aharon'

Chaimberlin

     They had arrived in Egypt at the invitation of Joseph. Joseph was the favored son of Jacob, but who was hated by his brothers, primarily because they resented the favoritism that Jacob had shown to him. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers to merchants on their way to Egypt. He was sold to Potiphar. Joseph obtained much favor, as a result of his excellent service to Potiphar. Joseph was made charge of all of Potiphar's household. However, Potiphar's wife desired Joseph. Joseph refused her attentions. Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph of attempting to rape her, and Joseph was unjustly thrown into prison.

     Joseph had the ability to correctly interpret dreams, and as a result became Prime Minister to Pharaoh. There was famine in Canaan. As a result, Joseph's brothers went to Egypt, seeking to buy grain. Joseph eventually invited his brothers, their families, and his father to move to Egypt, where there was both land and food. Life was good! However, eventually Joseph died, and there arose a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph. The Israelites were thrown into slavery, a miserable condition that lasted 400 years, as had been revealed to Abraham many years earlier, in Genesis 15:13.

     This first Passover in Egypt would bring them out of slavery, under the very capable leadership of Moshe (Moses). Adonai gave the instructions to Moshe, who in turn gave the instructions to Israel about how to observe this first Passover.

     "This month[1] shall be the beginning of months for you. It is to be the first month of the year to you (12:2)." Prior to this time, the month of Tishrei (roughly late September to early October) was the first month. According to the Rabbis, Adam was created on the first of Tishrei, which serves to this day as the anniversary of Creation. However, the sacred calendar of Leviticus 23 recognizes the month of Aviv (Nissan) as the beginning of months for the sacred calendar.

     On the tenth day of Nissan, the Israelites were commanded to each take a year-old unblemished lamb or a goat into their homes, one for each household. Nobody had wall-to-wall carpeting. The homes all had dirt floors, very well-equipped for having ani-mals in the house. They were then commanded to slay the animal four days later, on the 14th of Aviv.

     My grandmother had a pet lamb in her house. The droppings were little brown marbles, very easy to sweep up from her uncarpeted floors. Although not very bright, lambs are very endearing. Try to imagine these households 3500 years ago. You keep the lamb in your house for four days. You and your children get attached to the animal. And then you have to slay it.

     In 2 Peter 3:8, we read that "one day with the Lord is as thousand years, and a thousand years as a day." From Creation to the crucifixion of Yeshua was about 4,000 years, or about four days in the eyes of God. He loves His Son, the Lamb of God,[2] yet had Him sacrificed for our sins. "For God so loved the world, that  He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."

     The Israelites were commanded to take the blood from the sacrificed lamb and apply it with hyssop branches to the doorposts[3] and lintel (top of the doorway). Curiously, it might look like a Catholic priest making the sign of the cross. The blood was applied on the doorposts and lintel. This is also a picture of the crucified hands of Yeshua and the blood on His head from the crown of thorns that was pushed onto His head.

     The lamb was to be roasted with fire and eaten that night in haste, with sandals on the feet and loins girded. The various plagues that occurred in Egypt were judgments against the various Egyptian deities (12:12). The Egyptians worshipped the Nile River, the sun, cattle, and various other critters and things that were judged in the Ten Plagues that struck Egypt.

     The homes that had the blood applied to the doorposts and lintels were spared the death of the firstborn when the Angel of Death passed over Egypt. Likewise, when we appropriate the blood of atonement to the doorposts of our hearts, the "angel of death" will also pass over us, and we can live with our Messiah for eternity. "And the blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt (12:13)." The Hebrew word for Passover (Pesach) comes from pass over in the above verse.

In today's Passover celebrations, we no longer sacrifice a Passover lamb. Why? The answer is in Deut. 16:1-2. "And you shall sacrifice the Passover (lamb) to Adonai your God from the flock and the herd, in the place where YHWH chooses to establish His name." That place became the Beit HaMikdash ("Temple") in Jerusalem. The Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.[4] Since that time, there has been no sacrifice of Passover lambs. There is an exception: The Samaritans in Israel still sacrifice lambs at Passover each year near Mount Gerizim. However, Ezekiel 40 - 48 tells us that the Temple will one day be rebuilt. Presumably at that time, Passover lambs will again be sacrificed in Jerusalem.

     Christians, and even some Messianic Jews believe that the first day of the weeklong holiday is Passover. Then the rest of the days becomes the "Feast of Unleavened Bread." However, if you look at any Jewish calendar, you will see that the whole week is Passover. The Newer Testament is in agreement, as it is also written by Jews. Mark 14:1 begins, "After two days was the feast of the Passover and of Unleavened Bread..." Luke 22:1 reads, "Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover." Pesach (Passover) and Unleavened Bread (Matzot) are different names for the same holiday. Also, the Feast of First Fruits (Yom HaBikkurim) occurs on Yom Rishon ("Sunday") during the week of Passover. It is not a Holy Day. Normal work and even shopping can be done on the "Feast of First Fruits."

     In Exodus 12:14, we discover that Passover is memorial holiday which we are commanded to "celebrate as a feast to YHWH. Throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance." We are to celebrate Passover; it isn't bondage to observe the Biblical holidays, as some Christians would have you believe. It is a memorial holiday. That means we remember important events that occurred at this time. This includes the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

     We also remember Yeshua, who became our Passover Lamb, who supplied the blood of atonement for our salvation. When God tells us to celebrate it throughout our generations as a permanent ordinance, I happen to believe He means what He says. If you are a Gentile who has been grafted into the Jewish Olive Tree of Romans chapter 11:17-24, then this applies to you also. If you are a Believer in Yeshua, this holiday takes on a whole new significance. It is meaningful for a Jew who doesn't believe in Yeshua, and even more meaningful for those of us who believe in Yeshua. If you don't celebrate this holiday, you are missing something very important. Also, you are being disobedient to God!

     In Exodus 12:14, we are commanded to eat matzah (unleavened bread) for seven days, so make sure you have enough matzah to last for a week. You can even make your own matzah! You need only fresh wheat flour and water (three cups of flour and one cup of water). Mix them together very quickly. The Rabbis tell us that the matzah must be mixed, flattened out, and put in the oven - all within 18 minutes. You should also have a matzah perforator, which looks like a rolling pin with spikes, and roll it over the matzah before placing it in the oven. Professional matzah makers use ovens heated 600 to 800 degrees F.  At that temperature, the circular matzahs take about 2 to 3 minutes to bake, assuming your matzahs are about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. You probably don't have an oven that can operate at such high temperatures safely, so you might need more time in the oven. No other ingredients are needed. And of course, there must be no yeast or baking powder added to the mixture. Your local JCC might also offer free lessons on how to make matzah. You can also get instructions on the Internet for making matzah.

     We happen to live in an area where matzah is abundantly available at extremely reasonable prices. Usually it costs us $6 for a package containing 5 one-pound boxes of matzah, both domestic and imported from Israel. Such a deal! Today, there is also good gluten free matzah available, but it costs much more.

     In Exodus 12:15, we are commanded to remove all leaven from our houses. This is perhaps the origin of spring cleaning, as we prepare our homes for Passover, not only cleaning all leaven out of the house, but also thoroughly cleaning the house. Getting rid of leaven means removing anything that contains leaven or yeast. This includes most breads, cookies, crackers, bagels, pizza (weep!), many cereals, and beer. Check the ingredients. Yeast is often added to unexpected things such as some salad dressings. "And whoever eats anything leavened from the first day to the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel." In Hebrew, anything containing yeast is called chametz. No chametz should be in your home, and no chametz should be consumed. Just say No to chametz! It's only for 7 days.

Chametz is considered symbolic of pride, because yeast puffs up. Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 describe the fall of HaSatan - the Adversary. His beauty caused him to become proud, and led to his fall. Pride led to the invasion of all other sins into God's Creation. Therefore, chametz is also associated with sin. Yeast is also in the air. If you leave some bread on top of juice, it can attract the yeast to ferment the juice. Sin is also in the air, especially today, with television, radio, and the Internet.

     "And on the first day, you shall have a holy convocation (mikra kodesh),[5] and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation to you. No manner of work shall be done on them, except what must be eaten by every person, that alone may be prepared by you (Ex. 12:16)." The holy convocation usually takes place in the homes on the first day, as extended Jewish families gather in the home of a close relative on that day. Many synagogues might also have a seder at the synagogue on that day. On the seventh day of Passover, there is an additional holy convocation. These are both Holy Day convocations, in addition to the normal Shabbat. Orthodox Jews in the Galut (Diaspora or Exile) add an eighth day to Passover. However, this is not biblically required, and is not done in Israel.

     "And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts (armies) out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you shall observe this day throughout your generations (12:17)." Interesting! The Israelites went into Egypt on Passover, and left Egypt on Passover! And once again, we are reminded that this is an eternal ordinance, to be observed forever.

     In verses 18 and 19, we are reminded once again to observe all seven days with unleavened bread. It is for both the Israelite and the alien (non-Jew). Matzah isn't very tasty. However, there are easy recipes, such as for matzah brei. Just crunch up some matzah in some water and add eggs plus vegies, such as onion, peppers, and tomato, plus salt and pepper. Yummy! You can also put matzah into a microwave oven with a slice of cheese on top. It is called the "bread of affliction," so it is good for us to have just plain matzah once in a while during Passover. Matzah is also the "bread" that the Israelites carried with them when they left Egypt. It is the ideal bread for traveling. Even though there are no preservatives, it takes several weeks to spoil, unlike normal homemade bread, that spoils in days. The original matzah was made from whole wheat, which was even more unappetizing than the matzah we get from boxes. However, it was also more nutritious.

     "For Adonai will pass through to smite the Egyptians, and when He sees the blood on the lintel and two side doorposts, Adonai will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you (12:23)." This is a reference to the tenth and last plague that hit the Egyptians - the death of the first-born, both of man and beast.

     In the next verse, we are reminded once again to observe this feast forever! I don't know why Christians have a hard time with this one. God never commands us to celebrate Easter! The very name is pagan, from the goddess Ishtar. This goddess came to earth in a giant egg. The egg hatched in early spring, and out popped Ishtar! Hence, today we have the Easter egg. Ishtar was the goddess of fertility. Therefore, we have the Easter Bunny. (You all know how fertile rabbits are!) Lastly, Nimrod was killed by a wild boar at this time of the year. In revenge, it was decreed that ham would be served at the feast of Ishtar, hence the Easter ham. It's all pagan! And why would any Bible-believing Christian want to celebrate the resurrection of a Jew (Jesus) with a ham dinner? I have a suggestion: Celebrate Passover instead, Historically, it is about the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery. However, it also prophetically points to the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua.

     The Israelites did not celebrate Passover during the 40 years they were in the wilderness. In verse 25, we read, "And it shall come to pass, when you come into the Land which YHWH gives to you, as He has promised, that you shall observe this rite." It would be over 40 years later, in Joshua 5:10, when we see the Israelites celebrating Passover. Actually, it was a rather painful celebration, The boys who had been born in the wilderness during those 40 years had never been circumcised. Therefore, we read in Joshua 5:7-9 that all of those born in the wilderness were circumcised before they could partake of the Passover lambs.

     In Exodus 12:26-27, we see that children will ask questions at Passover, which shall be answered by adults. Therefore, the "Four Questions" are part of every Passover seder, preferably asked by a young child.

     In verses 28-30, we read about the deaths of the first-born throughout Egypt, a time of great lamentation. If only Pharaoh had listened to Moshe! However, at this time Pharaoh called for Moshe and Aharon (Aaron), ordered them to remove the Israelites from Egypt, "and go, worship YHWH as you have said... and bless me also (12:31-32)."

     In verse 35, we see that the Israelites requested articles of gold and silver, as well as clothing from the Egyptians. In verse 36, my NAS Bible says, "Thus they plundered the Egyptians." That's a terrible translation of this verse. The shoresh (root word) for the word translated plundered is lvp (natzal), which more correctly means saved.

     The Israelites (God's Chosen People!) had served the Egyptians as slaves for 40 years. Egyptian generosity to their former captives saved them from further punishment. The Israelites were not wicked plunderers taking advantage of these "poor, downtrodden" Egyptians! However, prior to the Ten Plagues and the Israelite exodus from Egypt, we see that Egyptian civilization was perhaps the highest in the world. After the Exodus, Egypt became a "has-been" nation, only a shadow of its former self. In Genesis 12:3, God promises to bless those who bless His people, and to curse those who curse His people. The nations of the world would be wise to take heed to this, and to bless God's people, the Jews, instead of cursing them.

     In Exodus 12:37, we find that the number of Israelite men was 600,000. In addition, there were the women and children. I think it is safe to say at least 2 million people. However, in the next verse, we find that a "mixed multitude" also went up with them. The "mixed multitude" were non-Jews who attached themselves to the Israelites, converts to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, if you will. When they finally arrived in the Promised Land 40 years later, the Land was divided among the Twelve Tribes of Israel. There was no separate parcel of land for the "mixed multitude." Therefore, it is self-evident that these people of non-Israelite heritage were adopted into the various Twelve Tribes of Israel.

     This isn't the only time that we see a mass conversion to Judaism. It also happened in Esther 8:17, when "many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen upon them." We see this also happening in Ezra 6:21. Also, in Acts 2:10, at that famous Shavuot (Pentecost) gathering in Jerusalem, we see that both "Jews and proselytes" were there. The proselytes were Gentile converts to Judaism.

     I happen to believe that truth is truth. There isn't one truth for the Jews, and a different truth for the Gentiles. In Zechariah 8:23, we read, "Thus says YHWH of armies, 'In those days, ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment (perhaps the tzitziot - ritual fringes) of him that is a Jew, saying,  Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' " I believe that these Gentiles are grasping the tzitzit of Messianic Jews. There are some Messianic rabbis that don't want Gentiles to come to their Messianic synagogues. Apparently, they prefer that Christians stay in congregations that have been invaded by Babylonian religion.

     In Exodus 12:40-41, we learn that the Israelites had been in Egypt exactly 430 years to the day. Of that time, it was 400 years in slavery. In Orthodox Judaism, they teach that the Jews were in Egypt only 210 years, even though the Bible says 430 years. That is because for 220 years, the Jewish had been in such sin and idolatry that we choose not to count those years.[6] If we add those years to the Jewish calendar, we find that we are very close to 6000 years since Creation!

     In Exodus 12:43-48, we learn that the sojourner (non-Israelite) can partake of the Passover (lamb), but only if he is first circumcised. When eating the Passover is referred to, it means the Passover lamb, as in Deut. 16:2. Since there is no sacrifice of the Passover lamb in the celebration of Passover today, there is no problem in Gentiles coming to a Passover seder.

     In verse 49, we read, "The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you." Numbers 15:15-16 says basically the same thing. Rav Sha'ul tells us in Romans 11:17-24 that Gentile believers are grafted into the Jewish Olive Tree. As partakers of the rich Jewish roots of this tree, we support Gentile believers celebrating Passover!



[1] The month of Aviv, but called Nissan today.

[2] Yochanan (John) 1:29.

[3] In Hebrew, called mezuzot. Today, a mezuzah is the little box attached to the doorpost with scripture verses enclosed.

[4] "Common Era," equivalent to A.D.

[5] A calling together for holy assembly.

[6] Rashi stubbornly insists that it really was only 210 years in Egypt, despite the Torah saying it was 430 years. Source: Artscroll Series Interlinear Chumash, p. 399. Rashi was a great scholar, but was also a great wine-maker. Perhaps he had too much of his famous wine! RAC