When the Jews put the blood on their doorposts, the Angel of Death was not allowed in. Hashem had them mark their homes, so to speak, and in this way, though the destroyer had been unleashed to do damage, he was precluded from entering the Jewish homes. Hashem, Himself, skipped over the Jewish homes.
The Chasam Sofer offers a beautiful insight into the mitzva of korban Pesach. When the Torah (quoted by the Hagada) says, “When your child will ask you, what is this service that you’re doing,” it refers to slaughtering the korban Pesach.
We are to tell him that the korban Pesach is offered because Hashem was compassionate and “skipped” over our houses in Egypt and saved us on the night of the killing of the firstborn.
He explains that the son may be asking why all of the Jews are offering the Korban Pesach. If the Jewish firstborn were saved, they should have to bring the korban. Why everyone else?
It is because Hashem said, “B’ni bechori Yisrael,” that the Jews are His firstborn. Thus, we were all in peril, even if we have older siblings in our families, because to Hashem we are the precious firstborn child.
It is a badge of honor for us to be considered Hashem’s primary offspring, and this is why He had compassion on us and saved us.
Therefore, when our child asks us why we do this, he is made to understand how precious he is to Hashem, considered Hashem’s bechor, and this lesson of the Korban Pesach should be a source of joy and pride for each of us.
Thought of the week:
G-d “passed over” our homes in Egypt and saved our lives because He expects good things from us. Do you think it’s nice to keep Him waiting?
