Rabbi Heller's Blog

This Shabbat, we announce the coming of the month of Nisan with the special “HaHodesh” reading, which details the commandments of the very first seder.  The Israelites are told to slaughter a lamb and put the blood on the doorpost of their home, purportedly as a sign, so that the angel of death will not attack the firstborn in their homes. A number of the commentators ask why this should be necessary. Surely, God knows which homes are Jewish homes and can divert His destructive force from them without any special marking? Where and how the blood was placed may give us an insight.

The simplistic answer is that of course God knows where the Israelites are, but perhaps the angel tasked with carrying out the plague needed extra confirmation. Twice in the last week I have been with people about to go through surgery. Surgeons are often required to mark the surgery site in advance to ensure that there is no chance of mistake, that the wrong limb or organ not be affected.

However, others have suggested that the sign was not merely for God or the angel. Some, like Maimonides, suggest that the blood was placed on an exterior doorpost as a sign to the Egyptians. Sacrificing a lamb was anathema to the Egyptians, and putting its blood where it would be publicly visible would make a powerful statement to them. The lambs’ blood was a statement of bravery. It would indicate that the Israelites, even if not physically released from their bondage, were no longer cowed by their oppressors.   

Rashi cites the early rabbinic commentary, Mekhilta, to explain that the opposite is true. The verse says “it shall be a sign to you” (and therefore not to the Egyptians), implying that the blood is placed on the inside of the home. In this case, the blood would no longer be a useful sign to the destructive angel; only after it entered the home would it know that this home should not be on its route. Instead, the blood would serve as a reminder to the inhabitants to remain strong in their faith. Even if the Israelites were not afraid of the Egyptians, they certainly had every cause to need reassurance as they heard the piercing cries of the bereaved Egyptians through the night.

This year, prepare to observe Passover at a particularly disorienting time. We may be joining together for seder with friends and family who have very different ideas about what constitutes the greatest threat to our people. We may disagree about who our external enemies and allies are, or we may even be even more concerned about those within the “house” of Israel whom we feel are not true to our values. Do we need more reassurance of protection from foes beyond the walls, or do we need to be reinforced in our own confidence and values within? We can feel fortunate if we are at least at the table together.