Derasha on Bo 12:4 — Torah Temimah note 3

Parashas Bo · Shemos 12:4 · TT note 3

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 3 (on מִהְיוֹת מִשֶּׂה) points to Pesachim 90a.

Sefaria — Exodus 12:4
Sefaria — Torah Temimah on Exodus 12:4
Sefaria — Pesachim 90a
E-Daf — Pesachim 90a

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Pesachim 90a
תַּנְיָא: ״אִם יִמְעַט הַבַּיִת מִהְיוֹת מִשֶּׂה״ — הַחֲיֵיהוּ מִשֶּׂה. מִכְּדֵי אֲכִילָה, וְלֹא מִכְּדֵי מִקָּח. … רַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: ״מִהְיוֹת מִשֶּׂה״ אָמַר רַחֲמָנָא, הַחֲיֵיהוּ לַשֶּׂה.

English: It was taught: “If the household is too small from being of a lamb” — revive it from the lamb. [One may take money] for the sake of eating, but not for the sake of ordinary purchase. … The Rabbis hold: the Torah said “from being of a lamb” — revive the lamb [by using proceeds for Pesach needs such as wood for roasting, matzah and maror].

Type of Learning

Derash of מִהְיוֹת מִשֶּׂה as “revive the lamb” — proceeds from selling a share may support the offering’s needs.

What Is Learned

One may enroll others on one’s Pesach and use the money for wood, matzah and maror (needs of the meal), but not for ordinary garments.