Why the Passover Lamb Must Be Unblemished and a Year Old

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai 12:5

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"A lamb" (Exodus 12:5). What does the verse teach by saying "without blemish"? Rabbi Akiva says: It is necessary to state it, since now, wherever Scripture says "a lamb" it includes both unblemished animals and those with a blemish. One might think this lamb is the same; therefore the verse says "without blemish" [perfect] and not blemished. Everywhere Scripture says "a lamb" it includes both large and small; one might think this lamb is the same; therefore the verse says "a year old." I would know only that at the time of its slaughter it must be unblemished and a year old. From where do I learn to include the receiving of its blood and the sprinkling of its blood? The verse says "it shall be for you" (Exodus 12:5): as long as it is yours, it shall be unblemished and a year old. "From the sheep or from the goats" (Exodus 12:5) excludes a crossbreed. "Sheep and goats" is a royal decree. "From the sheep or from the goats" comes to exclude what is taken from the cattle, and to exclude an animal that mounted a person or was mounted by one. I would know only the matters stated here. "You shall take" (Exodus 12:5) comes to include the fourteenth day, which is not fit for the taking. Is this not a matter of logic? If the tenth day, which is unfit for slaughter, is fit for the taking, then the fourteenth, which is fit for slaughter, surely should be fit for the taking. Therefore the verse says "you shall take," to include the fourteenth day, which would otherwise not be fit for the taking.

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PassoverSacrificeCommandments

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