Rabbi Roodyn

The lamb was to be kept for inspection for four days, during this time they were meant to focus their attention on it and guard it against any blemish. In order to qualify as being acceptable for a korban it needs to be tamim, perfect in all its aspects. This total commitment is a key aspect of our relationship with Hashem, as evidenced by the precondition of the covenant with Avraham where he is told, ‘walk before Me and be tamim, perfect’ (Bereishis 17:1).

At the conclusion of the four days, the lamb was to be slaughtered during the afternoon of the 14^th of Nissan, during the period of time known as bein ha arbaim, which literally means ’the two times when day and night mingle’.  This is the time span between the moment when the sun has passed its strongest point and the moment of nightfall. The timing here is incredibly significant. This marks the point of separation between the 14^th of Nissan, which was still part of the era of slavery and the 15th which was the day of deliverance and freedom. Although the 15^th did not begin until nightfall, its twilight could already be discerned in the afternoon.

The moment that marked the deliverance of Israel from their external oppressors and of their internal appointment to their new role as Hashem’s people was a crucial one. It was specifically at this time that Klal Yisrael put itself in every respect, at the disposal of Hashem’s guidance, we truly became His flock. In order to achieve this, they perform the act of shechita which symbolises their readiness to completely give up the lifestyle they had been living until this point.