Pesach is a wondrous opportunity for transformation. The question is how can we use each detail of the original exodus to extract lessons that we can apply to our lives today? For example how can we understand the contemporary lesson embedded in the Torah’s command to take a lamb or sheep for each household, tie it to the bedpost for four days, to ensure that it was blemish free and then bring it as the korbon Pesach.
The Ramban suggests that G-d chose lamb and sheep for this offering because these types of animals were worshiped by the Mitzrim. The Midrash informs us that even though during these four days the Mitzrim heard these animals, who were tied to the bedposts, bleating, however Hashem rendered the Mitzrim helpless. Therefore, lets us try to connect this cryptic Torah section to our Pesach preparations by asking what is the significance of the fact that the lambs were “bleating” and they were tied specifically to the bedposts?
Pesach is certainly one of those seasons where everyone increases their energy level in preparation for this beautiful holiday. However during this intense period of time, if one is not exceedingly careful, even with the best of intentions, he or she can step over the bounds of positive enthusiasm and be drawn into “blurting out” some inappropriate comment.
Perhaps the Torah is therefore alluding for us how to subdue even the slightest urge to “blurt out” an angry comment – which is a form of avoda zora. How so? Just like that species of “bleating animals”, which was used for avoda zora, were tied to the bedposts, so one should tie down to the bedpost – ie – put to sleep – any inappropriate thoughts before they are “blurted out” and in turn Hashem will render helpless the power of the yetzer hora, just as He rendered helpless the Mitzrim.
May all of our good efforts to bring about a kosher Pesach help us merit once again the korbon Pesach in Jerusalem soon in our days.
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