What is this money good for? TB Peeakhim 90

 I doubt there was any paperwork a person had to fill out to register to be part of somebody’s korban Pesakh. All he had to do was pay for his share. This money is not sacred (חולין) Today’s daf TB Pesakhim 90 records a disagreement about what this money may be used for even though it is not consecrated funds. The tanna kamma holds a very limited view what the money may be used for and Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi has a more expensive understanding.

“As it was taught in a baraita: ‘if the household be too little for a lamb, then shall he and his neighbor next to his house take one’ (Exodus 12:4). The phrase ‘if the household be too little’ is taken to mean the household cannot afford the basic necessities of the Festival. Continuing this interpretation, the phrase 'for a lamb [miheyot miseh]' is then taken to mean: sustain him [hahayeihu] from the lamb, i.e., he may use the Paschal lamb as a means of supporting himself. He takes money from his neighbor in return for registering his neighbor for a portion of his Paschal lamb and then uses that money to purchase his needs. However, this applies only if one lacks sufficient means to purchase food to eat, but not if he lacks only sufficient means to purchase other items.

“Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: It applies even if one lacks sufficient means to purchase other necessary items, for if he does not have sufficient funds he may register another person with him for his Paschal lamb and for his Festival peace-offering. And the money in his hand that he receives for registering that person is non-sacred, for it is on this condition that the Jewish people consecrate their Paschal lambs.

“Rabba and Rabbi Zeira disagreed with regard to the dispute between Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and the Rabbis. One said: If one needs wood to roast the Paschal lamb, everyone agrees that since it is for the preparation of the Paschal lamb, it is comparable to something necessary for the Paschal lamb itself, and both Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and the Rabbis agree that one may register additional people for the Paschal lamb and use the money received to procure wood. Where they disagree is in the case of one who doesn’t have sufficient means to purchase matza and bitter herbs.

“The Rabbis hold that this is considered a different eating, not directly related to the Paschal lamb. Therefore, one may not use money for registering additional people for purchasing these items. And Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi holds that since it facilitates the consumption of the Paschal lamb, since the Paschal lamb must be eaten together with matza and bitter herbs, it is like the Paschal lamb itself and the money may therefore be used to purchase them.

“And one said: Also with regard to matza and bitter herbs everyone agrees, as it is written: ‘They shall eat it with matza and bitter herbs’ (Numbers 9:11), for since they are items that facilitate the consumption of the Paschal lamb, they are like the Paschal lamb itself. Where they disagree is when the money is to be used to purchase a shirt with it or to purchase a cloak with it. The Rabbis hold that the Torah stated ‘miheyot miseh,’ which should be taken to mean sustain the lamb [hahayeihu leseh], allowing the use of funds only for the direct needs of the Paschal lamb. And Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi holds that it should be interpreted to mean sustain yourself from the lamb [hahayei atzmekha miseh], which includes taking care of all one’s needs.”

According to Rambam, one may use these non-sacred money which purchased a share in the korban Pesakh for anything surrounding the food and its preparation. But one may not purchase a new suit with that money. (Mishneh Torah, Sefer Korbanot, Hilhkot Pesakh, Chapter 4, Halahka 11)

I also suggest we learn from the sage Mel Brooks who taught both in film and on stage the lesson of “The Producers.” Don’t sell more shares than 100% of the korban Pesakh or the police will be looking for you..