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 [no UUCP, but 'reply' works]