Translation:Mishnah/Seder Moed/Tractate Pesachim/Chapter 9

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Mishnah,
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Seder Moed, Tractate Pesachim
Chapter 9

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1044284Mishnah, — Seder Moed, Tractate Pesachim
Chapter 9

“[The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to the children of Israel, saying:
If anyone of you or of your generations]
Was unclean [by reason of contact with a dead body] or on a distant journey” (Numbers 9:9–10)
And did not observe the first [Passover],
[Then] he must observe the second [Passover].

[If] he [unintentionally] erred
Or was prevented
And did not observe the first [Passover],
[Then] he must observe the second [Passover].

If so [asked the Mishnah],
Why is it said (in Numbers 9:10):
[That those] “unclean [by reason of contact with a dead body] or on a distant journey” [observe the second Passover]?

[The Mishnah answers:
It is to teach] that these [“unclean by reason of contact with a dead body or on a distant journey”] are exempt from being cut off from their kin,
But those [who deliberately fail to observe the Passover] are liable to being cut off from their kin.

Mishnah 2

What is “a distant journey” (within the meaning of Numbers 9:10)?

From Modi’in and beyond,
And the same distance in any direction [from Jerusalem is a distant journey] —
[These are] the words of Rabbi Akiva.

Rabbi Eliezer says:
[A journey is distant anytime one leaves] from the threshold of the Temple Court and beyond.

Said Rabbi Yose [to Rabbi Eliezer]:
For that reason there is a dot over the letter hei [(ה) in the word “distant” (רְחֹקָה, rechokah) in Numbers 9:10 in a Torah scroll],
[In order] to teach:
Not because it is really distant,
But [when one has departed] from the threshold of the Temple Court and beyond
[One is regarded as being on “a distant journey”].

Mishnah 3

What is the difference between the first Passover and the second [Passover]?

The first [Passover] is subject to the prohibition that
“[Leaven] shall not be seen [with you]” (Exodus 13:7)
And “[leaven] shall not be found [in your houses]” (Exodus 12:19);

While at the second [Passover,
One may have both] leavened and unleavened bread in the house.

The first [Passover] requires [the reciting of] Hallel (Psalms 113–118) when [the Passover lamb] is eaten,
While the second [Passover] does not require [the reciting of] Hallel when it is eaten.

But both [first and second Passover] require [the reciting of] Hallel when they are offered,
And they [both] are eaten roasted with unleavened bread and bitter herbs,
And they [both] override the Sabbath.