This week's 10-Minute Torah (April 23): "Pesach 8/Shabbat" 5782
- Rabbi Stephen Epstein
- Apr 7, 2022
- 2 min read
Pesach VIII (on Shabbat) / פֶּסַח ח׳ Saturday, 23 April 2022 / 22 Nisan 5782
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17; Numbers 28:19-25
1: Deuteronomy 14:22-29 · 8 p’sukim ·
2: Deuteronomy 15:1-18 · 18 p’sukim ·
3: Deuteronomy 15:19-23 · 5 p’sukim ·
4: Deuteronomy 16:1-3 · 3 p’sukim ·
5: Deuteronomy 16:4-8 · 5 p’sukim ·
6: Deuteronomy 16:9-12 · 4 p’sukim ·
7: Deuteronomy 16:13-17 · 5 p’sukim ·
maf: Numbers 28:19-25 · 7 p’sukim ·
Haftarah: Isaiah 10:32-12:6 · 25 p’sukim
The portion for the last day of Passover also occurs on Shabbat. The last five aliyot are the same for when Pesach 8 is not on Shabbat and discusses the Sh’mittah Year (seventh year) in which slaves go free and debts are forgiven. It also discusses the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot and Succot/Shemini Atzeret).
The first two aliyot for Passover 8/Shabbat discusses the tithes that go to the poor and the Levites, who have no possession of land. We are to take our tithes and go to “a place that I (Hashem) will designate”. This would become he Temple in Jerusalem. When it is a long journey, we can sell our cattle and grain for coins. We can then take that money and once there spend it on anything our heart desires, food or drink.
Once again, the theme is first born. We, the first born, were spared when the Destroyer wreaked havoc on the Egyptians, and this is yet another way to remember and respect that. We are also commanded to be generous when releasing a Hebrew slave. This theme is connected to the Israelites leaving Egypt with gift from the Egyptians for having served as slaves for over one hundred years.
Comments