The Commandments

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Although Israel is commanded to offer a Passover lamb and bring extra sacrifices annually, we are unable to since there is no priesthood or Temple.  All of the other commandments are still relevant and applicable as a part of the remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt.

 

Rest on the first day of Passover

On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. (Leviticus 23:7)

This positive instruction from parashah Emor is commandment #96 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Rest on Holidays.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #297, “The precept of resting from work on the first day of Passover”.

 

Do not do prohibited labor on the first day of Passover

On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. (Leviticus 23:7)

This negative instruction from parashah Emor is commandment #97 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Rest on Holidays.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #298, “The prohibition of doing work on the first day of Passover”.

 

Rest on the seventh day of Passover

But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. (Leviticus 23:8)

This positive instruction from parashah Emor is commandment #98 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Rest on Holidays.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #300, “The precept of resting from work on the seventh day of Passover”.

 

Do not do prohibited labor on the seventh day of Passover

But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. (Leviticus 23:8)

This negative instruction from parashah Emor is commandment #99 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Rest on Holidays.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #301, “The prohibition against doing work on the seventh day of Passover”.

 

Do not eat leavened food on the afternoon of the 14th day of Nisan

You shall not eat leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), so that you may remember all the days of your life the day when you came out of the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 16:3)

This negative instruction from parashah Re'eh is commandment #108 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Leavened and Unleavened Bread.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #485, “Not to eat chametz after noon on the day before Passover”.

 

Destroy all leaven on 14th day of Nisan

Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses; for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. (Exodus 12:15)

This positive instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #109 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Leavened and Unleavened Bread.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #9, “The precept of removing chametz”.

 

Do not eat leaven all seven days of Passover

Moses said to the people,”Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten.” (Exodus 13:3)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #110 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Leavened and Unleavened Bread.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #19, “To eat no chametz on Passover”.

Do not eat mixtures containing leaven all seven days of Passover

You shall not eat anything leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread. (Exodus 12:20)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #111 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Leavened and Unleavened Bread.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #12, “To eat nothing containing chametz during Passover”.

 

Do not see leaven in your domain seven days during Passover

Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. (Exodus 13:7)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #112 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Leavened and Unleavened Bread.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #20, “To chametz is to be seen with us during Passover”.

 

Do not find leaven in your domain seven days during Passover

Seven days there shall be no leaven found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is an alien or a native of the land. (Exodus 12:19)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #113 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Leavened and Unleavened Bread.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #11, “To have no chametz in our possession during Passover”.

 

Eat unleavened bread on the first night of Passover

In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. (Exodus 12:18)

This positive instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #114 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Leavened and Unleavened Bread.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #10, “The precept of eating matzah on Passover”.

 

Relate the Exodus from Egypt on the first night Passover

You shall tell your son on that day, saying, 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' (Exodus 13:8)

This positive instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #115 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Leavened and Unleavened Bread.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #21, “The precept of recounting the Exodus from Egypt”.

 

The month of Passover (Nisan) shall be the first month

This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you. (Exodus 12:2)

This positive instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #120 found in Mishneh Torah book 3 (Times) in the category Sanctification of Months.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #4, “The precept of establishing the month”.

 

Bring additional offerings on Passover

You shall present an offering by fire, a burnt offering to the LORD: two bulls and one ram and seven male lambs one year old, having them without defect. (Numbers 28:19)

This positive instruction from parashah Pinchas is commandment #383 found in Mishneh Torah book 8 (Service) in the category Perpetual Offerings and Additional Offerings.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #299, “The precept of the musaf offering all the seven days of Passover”.

 

Slaughter the paschal sacrifice at the specified time

You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. (Exodus 12:6)

This positive instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #404 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #5, “The ritual slaying of the Passover offering”.

 

Do not slaughter the paschal sacrifice while in possession of leaven

You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor is the fat of My feast to remain overnight until morning. (Exodus 23:18)

This negative instruction from parashah Mishpatim is commandment #405 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #89, “Not to ritually slay the Passover offering on the eve of Passover while there is yet chametz in our possession”.

 

Do not leave the fat of the paschal sacrifice overnight

You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor is the fat of My feast to remain overnight until morning. (Exodus 23:18)

This negative instruction from parashah Mishpatim is commandment #406 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #90, “Not to let the 'emurim of the Passover offering remain overnight and thus become impermissible”.

 

Slaughter the second Passover lamb

In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall observe it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. (Numbers 9:11)

This positive instruction from parashah B'ha'alot'cha is commandment #407 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #380, “The precept of the Second Passover offering on the 14th of Iyar”.

 

Eat the Passover lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs on the night of the 14th of Nisan

They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. (Exodus 12:8)

This positive instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #408 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #6, “Eating the Passover offering”.

 

Eat the second Passover lamb on the night of the 15th day of the month after Passover

In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall observe it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. (Numbers 9:11)

This positive instruction from parashah B'ha'alot'cha is commandment #409 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #381, “That the Second Passover offering is to be eaten with matzah and bitter herbs”.

 

Do not eat the meat of the Passover lamb raw or boiled

Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all with water, but rather roasted with fire, both its head and its legs along with its entrails. (Exodus 12:9)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #410 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #7, “Not to eat the Passover offering slightly roasted or cooked”.

 

Do not take the meat of the Passover lamb from the confines of the group

It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring forth any of the flesh outside of the house, nor are you to break any bone of it. (Exodus 12:46)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #411 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #15, “To carry no flesh of the Passover offering outside the home”.

 

An apostate must not eat from the Passover lamb

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: no foreigner is to eat of it;” (Exodus 12:43)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #412 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #13, “To give an apostate no part of a Passover offering to eat”.

 

A permanent or temporary hired worker must not eat from the Passover lamb

A sojourner or a hired servant shall not eat of it. (Exodus 12:45)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #413 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #14, “To give no part of a Passover offering to “a partial proselyte and resident” “.

 

An uncircumcised male must not eat from the Passover lamb

But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. (Exodus 12:48)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #414 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #17, “No uncircumcised person should eat of the Passover offering”.

 

Do not break any bones from the Passover lamb

It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring forth any of the flesh outside of the house, nor are you to break any bone of it. (Exodus 12:46)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #415 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #16, “Not to break any bone of the Passover offering”.

 

Do not break any bones from the second Passover lamb offering

They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute of the Passover they shall observe it. (Numbers 9:12)

This negative instruction from parashah B'ha'alot'cha is commandment #416 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #383, “The prohibition against breaking any of the bones of the Second Passover”.

 

Do not leave any meat of the Passover lamb over until morning

And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire. (Exodus 12:10)

This negative instruction from parashah Bo is commandment #417 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #8, “To leave over no flesh of the Passover offering”.

 

Do not leave the meat of the second Passover lamb over until morning

They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute of the Passover they shall observe it. (Numbers 9:12)

This negative instruction from parashah B'ha'alot'cha is commandment #418 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #382, “To leave over nothing of the Second Passover offering until the next day”.

 

Do not leave the meat of the Passover lamb of the 14th until the 16th

For seven days no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory, and none of the flesh which you sacrifice on the evening of the first day shall remain overnight until morning. (Deuteronomy 16:4)

This negative instruction from parashah Re'eh is commandment #419 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category The Pesach Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #486, “Not to leave over till the third day any flesh of the festival offering at Passover”.

 

Go to the Temple on Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles

Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. (Deuteronomy 16:16)

This positive instruction from parashah Re'eh is commandment #420 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category Pilgrimage Festival Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #489, “The precept to appear on the pilgrimage festivals at the sanctuary”.

 

Celebrate on Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles and bring a peace offering

Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me. (Exodus 23:14)

This positive instruction from parashah Mishpatim is commandment #421 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category Pilgrimage Festival Sacrifice.  It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #88, “The precept of celebration on the pilgrimage festivals”.

 

Rejoice on Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles and bring a peace offering

and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. (Deuteronomy 16:14)

This positive instruction from parashah Re'eh is commandment #422 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category Pilgrimage Festival Sacrifice. It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #488, “The precept of being happy on the pilgrimage festivals”.

 

Do not appear at the Temple during Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles without offerings

Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. (Deuteronomy 16:16)

This negative instruction from parashah Re'eh is commandment #423 found in Mishneh Torah book 9 (Sacrifices) in the category Pilgrimage Festival Sacrifice. It corresponds to the Sefer HaChinuch command #490, “Not to go up to Jerusalem for a pilgrimage festival without an animal offering”.

 

These are the Torah commandments of the Passover.