Yonathan says — sheep for the Pesach and cattle for the chagigah

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Pischa 4:6

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 14, 2025

R. Yonathan says: sheep for the Pesach (Passover) and cattle for the chagigah. 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 the Pesach for all the generations he could bring either (sheep or cattle). It is, therefore, written Ibid. 13:5) "then (in Canaan) you shall perform this service (of Pesach) on this month"—As the service that you performed in Egypt (i.e., from the sheep or from the goats), thus shall you perform in all the generations. These are the words of R. Yonathan.

Themes

Moses Egypt Passover Holidays Exodus

Biblical References

Exodus 12:5

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