The preparation of tlie sacrifice now took place. The lambs were hung on iron hcK)ks fastened to the walls and pillars of the court, and when these were all in use, ujwn .staves which rested on the shoulders of two men ; if the day were a Sabbath, the use of staves was not permitted, and two otterers laid one the left hand the other the right on his neighlx)ur"s shoulder and so suspended the lambs. The sacri- fices were then skinned, the portions appointed for
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PASSOVER
sacrificial use (Lv 3''') were removed and cleansed, the fat separated and jjlaced on a dish and then offered ■with incense on the altar. The company was then dismissed to their dwellings to j^artake of the feast, the incense Avas burnt, the lamps trimmed, and the Temple court washed. If the sacrifice fell on a Sabbath, the first and second divisions stayed in appointed parts of the Temple until the whole of the victims had been sacrificed, that they might not profane the Sabbath by bear- ing a burden.
It was required that careful attention should be given to the cooking of the lamb. It was to be roasted, in an earthenware oven ; a spit of pome- granate wood was to be put in at the mouth and to pass through at the vent ; Justin Martyr ( Trijph. 40) states that a transverse spit was passed througli the victim, thus forming a cross. If any part of the lamb touched the oven, it was to be pared off, as was also the case with any part on which fat from the oven had fallen. No bone of it was to be broken, no part was to be taken out of the house where the feast was held, and none of it was to be left over.
The meal was partaken of, not as at the first Egyptian Passover, in travelling dress, ' with loins girded, with shoes on the feet, and staff in the hands,' but in festive garments, and reclining on the left side ' as free men do, in token of their freedom.' The table was probably arranged as a triclinium, and this explains the position of St. John, the question addressed across the table by St. Peter, and the unheard conversation of our Lord with Judas Iscariot (Jn IS^^- ^\ Mt 2&^). See art. Upper Room.
A cup of red wine, mixed with water, was poured out for each guest, not by the host but by a servant, for all things were on this night to be done Avith distinction ; and over it the following blessing was spoken :
' Blessed art Thou, Jehovah our God, who hast created the fruit of the vine. Blessed art Thou, Jehovah our God, King of the Universe, who hast chosen us from among all people, and exalted us from among all languages, sanctified us with Thy commandments. And Thou hast given us, O Jehovah our God, in love the solemn days for joy, and the festival and appointed seasons for gladness ; and this feast of unleavened bread, the season of our freedom, a holy convocation, the memorial of our departure from Egypt. For Thou hast chosen us, and hast sanctified us from among all nations, and Thy holy festivals with joy and gladness hast Thou caused us to inherit. Blessed art Thou, O Jehovah, who sanctifiest Israel and the appointed seasons. Blessed art Thou, Jehovah, King of the Universe, who hast preserved ua alive, and sustained and brought us to this season.'
Tlie use of wine at this festival was compul- sory, even upon the poorest ; it might be the gift of charity, or procured by selling or paAvning raiment or hiring out one's labour ; but used it must be, even by persons commonly abstaining and young persons. After this, each participant washed his hands, our Lord apparently varying the custom and teaching a new and deeper les.son by Himself washing the feet of His guests (Jn IS*"^-).
The Paschal table, with its appropriate viands, was then placed in position. These comprised the lamb, the bitter herbs (lettuce, endive, garden endive (or succory), urtica, and bitter coriander (or horehound)), and the haroseth, a paste of dates, raisins, etc., with vinegar, Avhich Avas held to represent the mortar of Egyjit, and salt water. The president of the company took some of the bitter lierbs, dipped them in salt Avater, ate a por- tion the size of an olive, and gave a similar portion to his companions. A second cup of Avine Avas noAV poured out, and this Avas folloAved by the Haggudah or ' shoAving forth' (of. 1 Co 1P« ' ye proclaim ')'. Tlie son of the family or the yoimgest member of the company inquired the significance of the feast in wliich they Avere participating : ' Why is this night distinguished from all other nights ? ' ' Then the
father instructs his child according to the capacity of his knoAvledge, beginning Avith our disgrace and ending Avith our glory, and expounding to him from "A Syrian ready to perish Avas my father" (Dt 26'), until he has explained all through, to the end of tlie Avhole section ' (Pes. x. ). This involved a recital of the national history from the Patriarchal times to tlie deliverance out of Egypt, and the constitution of the emancipated people by means of the covenant at Sinai. After this, the president explained the significance of the Passover-lamb, of the bitter herbs, and of the unleavened bread. In acknoAvledgment of the great redemption, the first part of the Hallel (Pss 113. 114) Avas sung, and a benediction added : ' Blessed art Thou, Jehovah our God, King of the Universe, Avho hast redeemed us and redeemed our fathers from Egypt.' The second Clip of Avine, Avhich had been previously filled, Avas noAv drunk.