Introduction

(With help from Artscroll)

Why did Hashem begin the 10 Commandments with “I am Hashem your God who took you out of Mitzraim”? To show the significance of that event.

This Masechta deals with all the details of laws that we observe on the holiday of Pesach which commemorates the redemption from Egypt.

If the Jews did not place blood on the lintel and doorposts, their houses would not be skipped over and chas v’chalila destruction would befall them. At the same time that the people were being formed into the nation of Hashem they were also being led into following precise instructions.

In a way Pesach is the template for what is Avodas Hashem: privilege with exact servitude.

The name in the Torah used for this Yom Tov is Chag Hamatzos and the name Pesach in the Torah refers to the Korban Pesach. The use of plural in its name Pesachim lends itself to include Pesach Sheni observed by people who were Tamei during Pesach Rishon.

What Is Chometz?

Any of the five grains that is allowed to rise. They are:

• Chittim – Wheat
• Se’orim – Barley
• Kusmin – Spelt
• Shifon – Rye
• Shiboles Shual – Oats

One may also not derive benefit from Chometz which includes feeding to animals, selling to a Goy, profiting from stock from a company selling Chometz, etc.

Matzah and the Seder

The first night of Pesach, by the Seder there is a Mitzvah from the Torah to eat Matzah.

Outside of Israel, at the second Seder the obligation to eat Matzah is Miderabonim.

According to the Gra one fulfills a Mitzvah too if he eats Matzah during the remaining days of Pesach.

When the Beis Hamikdash was standing there was a Mitzvah to join a group to partake of the Korban Pesach. Today we eat the Afikoman to represent it.

We read the Hagada at the Seder which tells the story of the wonders that Hashem performed during the exodus and beyond.

Pesachim 121A-B

The Mishna says that when one makes the Bracha on the Korban Pesach the Bracha could also include other Korbanos that he is bringing, for instance the Korban Chagigah.

The text of the blessing is Le’chal Hapesach or Al Achilas Hapesach.

However if he made the Bracha on the other Korban it will not cover the Korban Pesach. That is the opinion of Rebbi Yishmael, whereas Rabbi Akiva holds neither Korban exempts the other and therefore the Bracha must be made on both Korbanos.

What Is the Machlokes Based On?

The Gemara asks what is this Machlokes based on? And it answers that it’s based on the Machlokes between them about pouring or sprinkling the blood on the Mizbeiach.

According to Rabbi Yishmael if the obligation for a Korban is to sprinkle then certainly if you poured the blood you would be Yotzei since you are coming very close to the Mizbeiach to pour it, it’s a better Avodah.

However, Rabbi Akiva holds that pouring will not be acceptable for a Korban that requires sprinkling like a Korban Chagiga.

Therefore the Bracha said on one will not include the other Korban.

But Rebbi Yishmael will hold that one Bracha suffices just as the pouring suffices instead of sprinkling, even for a Korban Chagiga where sprinkling is mentioned in the Posuk.

The Story of Rabbi Shamlai

The Gemara then brings a story with Rabbi Shamlai who attended a Pidyon Haben.

He was asked that we know that the father will be making the Bracha “Al Pidyon Haben” but who should make the Shehechiyanu the father or the Kohen?

On one hand the father is performing the Mitzvah of Pidyon but the Kohen is facilitating the Mitzvah by taking the money.

He didn’t know the answer so he asked in the Beis Medrash and they told him that the father should make the both Brachos and be Motzi the Kohen with the Shehechiyanu.

Why did the Gemara bring this story? Since it’s similar to the two Brachos in the Mishna.