Another interpretation: “This month shall be for you” – Rabbi Meir says: The redemption is for Me and for you. As it were, I was redeemed with you, as it is stated: “Whom You redeemed from Egypt, the nation and its God” (II Samuel 7:23). Establish this month for Me and for you, as I will see the blood of the paschal offering and it will atone for you, as it is stated: “Speak to the entire congregation of Israel […they shall take for them each man a lamb…a lamb for each household” (Exodus 12:3) – and your rejoicing will be complete, even for one who is poor.
“An unblemished lamb, a male in the first year, from the sheep or from the goats you shall take it. You shall hold it in safekeeping until the fourteenth day of this month; and the entire assembly of the congregation of Israel shall slaughter it in the afternoon” (Exodus 12:5–6). “An unblemished lamb, a male in the first year” – “a lamb,” corresponding to: “God will see to the lamb for Him…” (Genesis 22:8);34This is Abraham’s response to Isaac when asked where the lamb was for the sacrifice. “unblemished [tamim],” corresponding to: “The Rock, His actions are perfect [tamim]” (Deuteronomy 32:4); “a male,” as He killed all the firstborn of Egypt and spared the firstborn of Israel.
“From the sheep or from the goats you shall take it” – just as I kill man and animal, the captive and the maidservant, so do you have license to take from any place that you wish, and should guard it [the lamb], and it shall be for you a great festivity, as it is stated: “You shall hold it in safekeeping.” “Shall slaughter it” – you slaughter the paschal offering and I slaughter the firstborn. “They shall take of the blood and place it on the two doorposts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they will eat it.
They shall eat the meat on that night, roasted with fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it” (Exodus 12:7–8). “They shall take of the blood and place it on the two doorposts” – as I will pass over you and protect you. You shall be careful with it, as it is eaten [only] at night, as it is stated: “They shall eat the meat on that night, roasted with fire,” corresponding to Abraham, whom I rescued from the fiery furnace.35See Bereshit Rabba 38:5.
“And unleavened bread” – corresponding to Sarah, who prepared loaves for the ministering angels, but they did not taste the bread (see Genesis 18:6). “Bitter herbs,” corresponding to Jacob; just as his descendants were pursued in Egypt, so did Esau pursue him. “You shall not leave any of it until morning; and what remains of it until morning you shall burn in fire” (Exodus 12:10). “You shall not leave any of it until morning” – just as I will not leave any soul of the Egyptian firstborn, so, “you shall not leave any of it until morning.”
It is analogous to a king who told his sons: Know that I judge capital cases and convict [the guilty]. Offer a gift to me, so that if you come before my tribunal I will transfer [aavir] your verdict to others. So, the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: I am dealing in capital cases, and I hereby inform you how I can spare you with mercy – with the blood of the paschal offering and the blood of circumcision; and I will grant atonement to your souls, as the passage [haavara] that I will make is severe, as it is stated: “I will pass in the land of Egypt [on that night]” (Exodus 12:12).36The verse continues: “And I will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from man to animal; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments; I am the Lord.” Likewise, Israel says: “The Lord also will be a haven for the oppressed, a haven for times of trouble” (Psalms 9:10).