Derasha on Bo 12:4 — Torah Temimah note 10

Parashas Bo · Shemos 12:4 · TT note 10

The Complete Passuk

וְאִם־יִמְעַ֣ט הַבַּ֘יִת֮ מִהְי֣וֹת מִשֶּׂה֒ וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל־בֵּית֖וֹ בְּמִכְסַ֣ת נְפָשֹׁ֑ת אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י אׇכְל֔וֹ תָּכֹ֖סּוּ עַל־הַשֶּֽׂה׃

Source Citation

Torah Temimah on Shemos 12:4, note 10 (on אִישׁ לְפִי אׇכְלוֹ תָּכֹסּוּ) points to Pesachim 91a (R’ Yosei permits slaughter for a single capable eater).

Sefaria — Exodus 12:4
Sefaria — Torah Temimah on Exodus 12:4
Sefaria — Pesachim 91a
E-Daf — Pesachim 91a

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Pesachim 91a
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מִנַּיִן שֶׁאֵין שׁוֹחֲטִין אֶת הַפֶּסַח עַל הַיָּחִיד, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״לֹא תוּכַל לִזְבֹּחַ אֶת הַפָּסַח בְּאַחַד״, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יְהוּדָה. וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: יָחִיד וְיָכוֹל לְאָכְלוֹ — שׁוֹחֲטִין עָלָיו, עֲשָׂרָה וְאֵין יְכוֹלִין לְאָכְלוֹ — אֵין שׁוֹחֲטִין עֲלֵיהֶן. … דְּהָא כְּתִיב: ״אִישׁ לְפִי אׇכְלוֹ״.

English: The Sages taught: From where that one may not slaughter the Pesach for a single individual? From “You may not sacrifice the Pesach for one,” the words of Rabbi Yehudah. Rabbi Yosei says: A single person who can eat it — one may slaughter for him; ten who cannot eat it — one may not slaughter for them… for it is written, “each according to what he eats.”

Type of Learning

Dispute of R’ Yehudah and R’ Yosei; the verse אִישׁ לְפִי אׇכְלוֹ supports capacity to eat as the decisive factor.

What Is Learned

According to R’ Yosei, a lone capable eater may have the Pesach slaughtered for him; inability to eat disqualifies even a large group.