KORBAN PESACH Meaning and
Definition
-
Korban Pesach is a term with religious significance in Judaism, specifically referring to the lamb or goat sacrifice offered by the ancient Israelites during the festival of Passover. "Korban" is a Hebrew word meaning "sacrifice," while "Pesach" denotes the holiday of Passover.
According to biblical accounts, the ritual of Korban Pesach was first performed when the Israelites were still in slavery in Egypt. As instructed by God to Moses, they were to select a one-year-old unblemished lamb or goat to be sacrificed on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. The blood of the animal was then to be painted on the doorposts of the Israelites' homes as a sign to protect them from the final plague, in which the firstborns of the Egyptians were claimed by death.
By performing the Korban Pesach, the Israelites commemorated their liberation from slavery and their journey to freedom, symbolically reaffirming their covenant with God. After the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the practice of sacrificing animals ceased, and the focus of the Passover observance shifted towards the retelling of the Exodus story during the Seder meal.
Although the Korban Pesach is no longer conducted today, its significance and meaning continue to be acknowledged and reflected upon during the annual celebration of Passover.
Etymology of KORBAN PESACH
The term "Korban Pesach" is of Hebrew origin and has two components - "korban" and "Pesach".
1. Korban: The word "korban" (קָרְבָּן) comes from the Hebrew root "karov" (ק.ר.ב), meaning "to draw near" or "to approach". In the context of Jewish religious practices, it refers to a sacrifice or offering brought to the Temple in Jerusalem as an act of worship.
2. Pesach: The word "Pesach" (פֶּסַח) also comes from Hebrew and is derived from the root "pasach" (פ.ס.ח), which means "to pass over" or "to spare".
