Passover Tidbit No. 5

Friday the 13th

Most of you know that Pesach is always celebrated on the actual anniversary of the day the Death Angel passed over Egypt.  That day is, of course, the 14th day of the Hebrew month called Nisan.  Unlike Easter, which is the first Sunday after the first Friday after the Spring Equinox, sometimes, or basically a random Springish day. 

Shemoth (Exodus) 12:29 reminds us the Death Angel passed over Egypt at or before midnight, (khay-tsee' חצי half or the middle) Moshe confirms that from before sunset, or about 6 pm, until midnight all were to say in their homes protected by the blood of the sacrificial lamb painted on the door to thier heart … err I mean thier house, as this was when the Death Angel would pass over.  And there is way more to that story, but maybe later. 

Hebrew tradition, which actually makes far more since than our tradition, counts the day as ending at sunset, or the time when the dark is mixed with the light, the light becomes indistinct, which is nominally around 6 pm.   I do see the impracticality of that system in today’s world, but midnight has no meaning, except to a computer, it has no soul, it is way too mechanical for me, but I digress.

Before sunset, which would have been the 13th of Nisan, all who wanted to be physically (spiritually) saved from the Death Angel were to paint the door posts with the blood of the lamb and remain inside until the light came.  They were covered by the blood until the light came, Hmmmm.  Think about that for a moment when you consider attending a Pesach celebration. 

Many with blood on the door post were not Hebrew, and many Hebrews did not put the blood on their door posts, salvation only came by obedience, belief, and faith, all leading to taking an action.  Not much has changed, that is still the road to salvation. 

For the Hebrews who did not paint the door posts the first born in the home died. They did not think it was important enough, or real enough, or pertained to them, and they paid a price for ignoring YHVH’s Word and instructions.  This too has not changed today, although many would like to think it has. 

For the Egyptians who did paint the door posts that showed some real faith, certainly all the neighbors would have noticed, and they would be ridiculed, like many today who try to obey the Word of YHVH.  These were probably the ones who left Egypt with Moshe and the Children. 

Once inside, and with the blood of the lamb covering them, they shared a meal of lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs, apples and honey, and such just as we will do evey Pesach.  This has become the Seder meal we enjoy today, each food having a part to play in the event. 

At sunset for the Hebrews, the day clock flipped over to Nisan 14 and the Death Angel of YHVH entered the land of Egypt shortly after.  The first born in each house unprotected by the blood of the lamb, of man or beast died that night.  

Egypt did not follow after the Elohiym of Yisrah’el nor did they follow the Hebrew tradition of changing the day at sunset.  To the people of Egypt, the Death Angel arrived before midnight, so it was Nisan 13 for them.  And yes ... it was a Friday.  

Ever since, Friday the 13th has been a bad omen for Gentiles, it has nothing to do with black cats or walking under ladders, it is all about obedience to the Creator of the universe or trusting in your own understanding.  For those who did obey they were saved, and for those today who are still obedient we have been grafted into the House of Yisrah-el’ and Pesach should be a good sign, a very good sign indeed.  

CB