Derasha on Bo 12:15 — Torah Temimah note 15
Parashas Bo · Shemos 12:15 · TT note 15
The Complete Passuk
שִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ מַצּ֣וֹת תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ אַ֚ךְ בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֔וֹן תַּשְׁבִּ֥יתוּ שְּׂאֹ֖ר מִבָּתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י ׀ כׇּל־אֹכֵ֣ל חָמֵ֗ץ וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשֹׁ֖ן עַד־י֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִעִֽי׃
Source Citation
Torah Temimah on Shemos 12:15, note 15 (on וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ) points to Mechilta.
Sefaria — Exodus 12:15
Sefaria — Torah Temimah on Exodus 12:15
Sefaria — Mechilta
Core Text of Chazal
Core Text — Mechilta (via Torah Temimah)
וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ — אֵין הַכְּרָתָה אֶלָּא הַפְסָקָה.
English: “And that soul shall be cut off” — kares means nothing other than interruption [of the soul from the congregation of Hashem].
Type of Learning
Definition of kares in this context as interruption of the soul.
What Is Learned
Kares here is the cutting-off of the soul from the community of Hashem, not merely bodily punishment.