[net.religion.jewish] passover on the 14th & 15th

mzk@homxa.UUCP (Michael Zvi Krumbein ( Consultant for Bellcore @ Holmdel )) (08/09/84)

To: houxm!houxz!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!teklds!azure!johnr
Subject: Re: Passover
References: <40@azure.UUCP>

	RE: Pesach on the 14th & on the 15th
	
 	The Passover on the 14th  is the Passover sacrifice which is brought
		on the afternoon of the 14th. The "feast of matzos", which
		we call Passover, begins on the eve of the 15th. On the first
		night of the holiday, the passover sacrifice is eaten. 
	The Hebrew words that your translation writes as "Eve" are "Bain
		Ha'arbaim" - between the evenings or settings. I believe
		that we interpert this as meaning between the time that the
		sun starts setting (noon) and sunset.  [Arbaim is a plural or
		pseudo-plural of "erev" - evening or night.]
	One effect of the semi-holiday on the 14th is the prohibition of 
		having chometz (essentially, any grain products except matzoh)
		in the house from noon on. This prohibition is still in effect 
		today, although it is extended rabbinically to "9 o'clock" & 
		"10 o'clock" for certain matters. (All times are Sho'os Z'manios
		[Local Mean Solar Time, approx.], not standard time.)
	Finally, there is a differentiation between the "Passover of Egypt"
		and the "Passover for the Generations". For example, only
		in Egypt was the blood of the sacrifice put on the doorposts.
		This may also be the the case with the prohibition of leaving
		the house. 
	

	While I may be a little off on some of the details, the above is, I
		believe, a correct summary of how we interpert the verses.
		It's not very difficult to understand, once you realize the
		importance attached to the Passover sacrifice.

					Michael Z. Krumbein
					Bellcore @ Holmdel
					3c607 - var. extensions
					Homxa!mzk

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