All the Congregation Offers the Passover in Three Companies

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai 12:47

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"All the congregation of Israel shall offer it" (Exodus 12:47). From the fact that it is said, "and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall slaughter it" (Exodus 12:6), we learn that the Passover offering is slaughtered in three groups: "assembly," "congregation," and "Israel." One might think that if they slaughtered it all at once it would be invalid; therefore Scripture teaches "all the congregation of Israel shall offer it." "It" — even on the Sabbath. "It" — even in impurity, for if the majority of the assembly, or the priests, or the service vessels were impure, they may perform it in impurity.

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