shall you take" — What is the intent of this

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Pischa 4:5

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 7, 2025

"shall you take": What is the intent of this? (i.e., it seems redundant.) It is written (Devarim 16:2) "And you shall slaughter the Pesach (Passover) for the L–rd your G–d, sheep and cattle"—sheep for the Pesach (offering) and cattle for the chagigah (the festive offering.) You say this, but perhaps (the meaning is) both for the Pesach? And how would I understand (Exodus 12:5) "an unblemished lamb, a male"? As referring to the Pesach of Egypt, but Pesach for all the generations he could bring either (sheep or cattle). It is, therefore, written "Of the lambs or of the goats shall you take." Why (the redundant) shall you take?" That the Pesach for all the generations be brought only from the sheep or from the goats (but not from the cattle). These are the words of R. Yoshiyah.

Themes

Moses Egypt Passover Holidays Sacrifice

Biblical References

Exodus 12:5

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