Why were they forbidden to eat the Korban Pesach cooked in water?
Refer to 12:8:3.1.
Rosh and Da'as Zekenim (both citing the Ibn Ezra) 1 : 'Do not be afraid to roast it fully' [to avoid the Egyptians smelling it, and then trying to avenge the disgrace to their god]. 2 'Do not cook it in a pot' (to cover up the smell), 'or cut off the head and feet' (to prevent the Egyptians from discerning that it is a lamb). Rather, let them know 3 that you are slaughtering and eating their god! 4
Why does the Torah insert the word, "[Al Tochelu] Mimenu"?
Yerushalmi Yevamos, 8a: To learn via a Gezerah Shavah from Ma'aser Sheini that an Onen is prohibited from eating it. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 71.
What is the definition of "[Al Tochelu Mimenu] Na"?
Rashi: It means partially roasted. 1
Rashbam: It means pot-roast (without water).
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means raw. 2
How many Lavin does a person transgress if he eats the Pesach both Na and Mevushal?
Pesachim 42b: He transgresses two Lavin, but he only receives one set of Malkos, due to the principle 'Ein Lokin al Lav she'bi'Kelalus.' 1
See Torah Temimah, note 74.
Why does the Torah use the double expression, "u'Vashel Mevushal ba'Mayim"?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan:To teach us that one may even not cook the Pesach liquids other than water. 1
Pesachim 41a: To teach us that one is Chayav even if one cooks it and then roasts it, or vice versa.
Pesachim 74a #1: To forbid placing its legs and innards inside it when roasting it, since that is akin to cooking it. 2
Pesachim 74a #2: To forbid using a spit (rod) of a palm or of a fig-tree, because they exude water, in which case the Pesach is considered cooked (the former since it contains cracks, the latter, since it is hollow).
Why does the Torah repeat the command to eat the Pesach roasted (which was already mentioned in the preceding verse, 12:8)?
Rashi: The first time it was a Mitzvas Aseh; this time it is a Lo Sa'aseh ('Do not eat it ... [in any way] other than roasted'). 1
Moshav Zekenim (citing Pesachim 41b): It is a second Lav. 2 It is not Lav she'bi'Chlalos, for the Isurim are written explicitly.
Mechilta: And "Ki Im Tzeli-Eish" implies that the Korban Pesach must be eaten roasted even if it tastes better cooked.
Moshav Zekenim: Even though "Ki Im Besulah..." (Vayikra 21:14) is an Aseh, and not a second Lav, that Pasuk concludes "Yikach [Ishah]." Here, the Pasuk "Ki Im Tzeli Eish" does not conclude with an Aseh - 'Yochal.' And it seems that this is also the intention of the Riva (PF).
Why does the Torah juxtapose "Ki Im Tzeli-Eish," to "Al Tochelu Mimenu Na... "?
Pesachim 41a: To teach us that one is only Chayav on Na and Mevushal when "Tzeli-Eish" is applicable - after nightfall of the fifteenth; but not if one eats them on the fourteenth.
What are the implications of "Tzeli-Eish"?
Pesachim 41a: It excludes; a. pot-roast - even without water, 1 and b. a Pesach that is roasted on a metal spit-rod. 2
Pesachim 75a #1: The Torah repeats "Tzeli-Esh to exclude a Pesach that was roasted in a heated oven after the coals had been removed. 3
Pesachim 75a #2 (citing Rebbi): Cutting-up the Pesach and roasting it on burning coals is counted as Tzeli-Esh.
Why must the Korban Pesach be roasted, rather than cooked?
Refer to 12:8:3.1, and 12:9:0.1:2.
Why should the Korban Pesach be roasted whole, with its head and legs visible?
Ramban and Moshav Zekenim: So that the Egyptians should see Yisrael roasting and eating their god. 1
Rashbam: In order to eat the Korban Pesach quickly. 2
Oznayim la'Torah: So that it retains its appearance, and Yisrael will see with their own eyes how they are negating the Egyptian gods. 3
Which was the main objective of the Korban Pesach. Refer to 12:8:3.1:1.
Refer to 12:8:3.1:2. See also Torah Temimah, note 84.
Oznayim la'Torah: And by the same token, it must be roasted, so that the smell of their god roasting wafts directly to their nostrils. Refer to 12:8:3.1:1.
What if, in the process of roasting the Korban Pesach, one overdoes it?
Pesachim 41a: The Torah forbids "Na u'Mevushal," but not if it is excessively roasted.
Why do we not Darshen that "u'Vashel Mevushal" is a Klal, and "ba'Mayim," a Perat, to exclude everything other than the Perat?
According to those 1 who explain that the Torah needed to write "ba'Mayim" (refer to 12:9:151:2 and 12:9:151:3), this is a Klal that needs a Perat, which is not considered a 'Klal u'Perat' - Chulin 88b (PF).
The Moshav Zekenim leaves this difficult, and gives a reason why "ba'Mayim" is needed. Perhaps he asks according to the other explanation that he gave. (PF)
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'U'Vashel - Mevushal' - All of these fall under the prohibition of 'Al Tochelu...." How else might I have understood the verse?
Gur Aryeh: Do not translate as, 'Do not eat it rare (Na), but rather cooked (Bashel Mevushal) in water....' because the Pasuk continues, "rather only roasted by fire." Cooking must be included in the prohibition.
Rashi writes that "u'Vashel Mevushal" forbids cooking the Pesach in liquids other than water. The Torah could have omitted the word "ba'Mayim," and we would not need a repetition to include other liquids?
Riva: The Torah presented the usual case (to cook in water), therefore an inclusion is needed.
Riva (citing Gilyon): Had the Torah omitted ba'Mayim, we would have thought that the Isur is confined to other liquids, which weaken the taste of the Pesach, but it is permitted in water.
Moshav Zekenim #1: Had the Torah omitted ba'Mayim, we would have thought that "Mevushal" means roasted (as in Divrei ha'Yamim II 35:13). 1
Moshav Zekenim #2: "Mevushal" comes to include roasted in a pot.
Gur Aryeh: The term 'Bishul' can also include roasting! Had the verse said only 'Al Tochelu Mimenu Mevushal,' it would include roasting by means other than fire, such as on a metal spit, in this prohibition. Rather, it says "u'Vashel Mevushal ba'Mayim," to clarify that this Lav applies to cooking in liquids other than water. (Roasting on metal is then forbidden only due to "Ki-Im Tzeli-Eish.")
Tosfos ha'Shalem (1, footnote 7) discusses this Havah Amina. Also compare to Gur Aryeh (answer #5 below.)
