Death of the Firstborn

This class introduces profound nuances of biblical nouns and verbs describing the final plague of firstborn. Careful analysis of Torah terminology serves to clarify the contradictory nature of this exceptional event that directly triggered the Exodus. See...

I don’t recall ever seeing anything about pajamas in the Haggadah. Am I missing anything?

A closer look at the plague of the death of the firstborn on five different levels understanding.

Question: I’m confused. Was the Passover offering that we used to eat a lamb or a kid goat? Answer: It could be either. The Hebrew term used in the Torah is seh, and, as Rashi comments, this can mean either a lamb or a kid goat. The verse actually continu...

People in trouble don’t have the time or luxury to wait while you quibble over the command structure; they’re waiting for you to rescue them from evil.

What is the meaning of the name Pesach?

On the Shabbat before the Exodus--Nissan 10th on that year--the first-born of Egypt, who occupied the senior positions in the priesthood and government, fought a bloody battle with Pharaoh's troops, in an effort to secure the release of the Israelites and...

Firstborn males over the age of Bar Mitzvah (13) are obligated to fast on the 14th of Nissan, in recognition of the fact that during the "Plague of the Firstborn" (which occurred at midnight of Nissan 15) G-d "passed over" the Jewish firstborn when He kil...

The firstborn of Egypt, who held the key social and religious positions in Egyptian society, confronted the Jews, and were told: "We are preparing an offering to G-d. In four days, at the stroke of midnight, G-d will pass through Egypt in order to execute...

Why did Hashem need Pharaoh to know the plague of firstborns would be at midnight? Explore Rashi’s commentary on the verse.