Focus Passage: 12:21 - 28
The Implementation
When Moses gathered the elders to tell them how to observe the Passover, he added several details that had not been given before. He discovered how to put the blood upon the doorposts and the lintel.
For protection, no one was to "go out of the door of his house until; the morning." "The destroyer" has been variously interpreted. It probably meant nothing more than the angel of death. Certainly it was not to be understood in any way as demonic, for G-d had clearly stated that He was going to be the One passing through on the night of death.
They were told that this was to be a perpetual celebration of theirs on the anniversary of their deliverance. Obviously, when such a ritual would be observed in far distant days, the children who would have been born would have no idea of its meaning or significance. Their questions would be natural and must have an answer. As we know, even today, the questions of the children are built into the Passover observance. But the point in Moses' instructions was not so much that the children should ask such questions as a part of the ritual. His point was that children naturally would ask questions about the ritual. Thus the ultimate meaning was that the parents and leaders of Israel were to be responsible for seeing that their children were told what G-d had done for them.
The elders' response to Moses' message was one of wonder and awe, for they "bowed their heads and worshiped." But here is also a hidden meaning here. They were slaves in Egypt. In spite of Moses' efforts, there had been any movement toward freedom. Suddenly, with renewed emphasis, they were told that they had a future in G-d's Promised Land. They were being given rituals to celebrate when they arrived at their destination. Here was a renewal of hope. On the night of darkness and death they were looking forward to light and life with G-d.
Shalom U'Bracha,
Thomas Roper
