Pesakh sheni, the second Passover TB Pesakhim 93

The ninth chapter of massekhet Pesakhim discusses various aspects of Pesakh sheni¹. In the wilderness some people came to Moses and said that they were ineligible to offer up the korban Pesakh at its appointed time. They wondered how could they celebrate Passover? Moses inquired God on their behalf and God set aside the 14th day of the following month as Pesakh sheni ( a second Passover) as it is written “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Israelite people, saying: When any of you or of your posterity who are defiled by a corpse or are on a long journey would offer a passover sacrifice to the LORD, they shall offer it in the second month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, (Numbers 9:9-11)” (Sefaia.org translation) Today’s daf TB Pesakhim 93 defines the very nature of Pesakh sheni and what constitutes a long journey.

The Gemara posits three different positions concerning the very nature of Pesakh sheni, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, Rabbi Natan, and Rabbi Hananya ben Akavya.

Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi holds that Passover (Pesakh rishon-the first Passover) and Pesakh sheni are two independent holidays. “One is liable to receive karet for intentionally refraining from observing the first Pesakh; similarly, one who could not observe the first Pesakh is liable to receive karet if he intentionally refrained from observing the second Pesakh. This is the statement of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Rabbi Natan holds that Pesakh sheni is a makeup day. A person would only be liable of the penalty of keret for Pesakh rishon and not for Pesakh sheni. “Rabbi Natan says: One is liable to receive karet for intentionally refraining from observing the first Pesakh; and one is exempt from karet for intentionally refraining from observing the second Pesakh even if he unwittingly failed to observe the first Pesakh, as the Torah does not specify a punishment of karet with regard to the second Pesakh." (Sefaria.org translation)

Rabbi Hananya ben Akavya holds the most lenient position believing that Pesakh sheni and Pesakh rishon are working in concert. The penalty of karet for failure to bring the Passover sacrifice on Pesakh is suspended until Pesakh sheni. The korban Pesakh on Pesakh sheni acquits the person of the punishment of karet. “Rabbi Hananya ben Akavya says: Even for intentionally failing to observe the first Pesakh one is liable to receive karet only if he intentionally fails to observe the second Pesakh.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The example of a minor who reaches the age of majority between Pesakh rishon and Pesakh sheni highlights the practical differences between the three points of view. According to Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, this person needs to bring a korban Pesakh on Pesakh sheni or be liable for the penalty of karet because Pesakh rishon and Pesakh sheni are independent of each other. According to Rabbi Natan and Rabbi Hananya ben Akavya, he is free from the obligation of bringing a korban Pesakh on Pesakh sheni because he was never obligated to bring one on Pesakh rishon. Rambam poskins in favor of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s position. (Mishneh Torah, Sefer Korbanot, Hilkhot Pesakh, Chapter 5 Halalkha 2)

The Mishnah defines the distance of what constitutes a long journey. “What is the definition of a distant journey that exempts one from observing the first Pesakh? Anywhere from the city of Modi'im and beyond, and from anywhere located an equal distance from Jerusalem and beyond in every direction; this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: From the threshold of the Temple courtyard and beyond is considered a distant journey; therefore, anyone located outside the courtyard at the time that the Paschal lamb is slaughtered is exempt from observing the first Pesakh.” (Sefaria.org translation) The Gamara says the distance between Modi’in an Jerusalem is 15 mil or approximately 15 km. The Talmudic Modi’in can’t be identified with the modern city of Modi’in because the modern city is 34.9 km away from Jerusalem. To identify the Talmudic town of Modi’in, I suggest you read the following article “Where is Modi’in” by Prof. Yoel Elitzur. (https://www.etzion.org.il/en/where-modiin)

 

1. All discussions surrounding Pesakh sheni are theoretical since the destruction of the second Temple. The day is on the Jewish calendar simply as a reminder of his previous stature.