by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com This guide is presented, as a last minute “just in case.”  It is presented in honor of an old friend, Rabbi Yitzchok Scherman, who made the request.  Also, the Chofetz Chaim tells us that if we learn the halachos – it is as if we had actually brought it.  So, technically, it is not merely – “just in case” – but it is like we actually brought it. PROCEDURE OF THE KORBAN PESACH GROUPS It should be noted that the Korban Pesach must only be brought in groups.  Anyone within a three day walk of Yerushalayim must join up with the group.  The group is called a Chavurah.  One may not eat of the Korban Pesach if one was not previously a member of a group. The Chavurah is generally made up of a family and perhaps more people too.  Any child who can eat a Kezayis or more may be included in the group.  Every Chavurah must have at least one adult male who is an Ezrach B’Yisroel. The Chavurah must consume the entire animal and each person must consume at least one Kezayis.  Thus, the maximum number in the Chavurah is equal to the total number of Kezaisim in the animal.  Theoretically, a Chavurah could be comprised of one person, but it cannot be consumed in the form of Achila Gassa – excess eating. Everyone in the Chavurah must be tahor, ritually pure, in order to eat from it.  If they are tameh – then they must partake of it on Pesach shaini – one month later.  However, this is only when the majority of Klal Yisroel is tahor – pure.  If the majority of Klal Yisroel is Tameh – then they partake of it on the first Pesach. THE KORBAN The lamb or kid goat must be male.  It must be less than one year old.  It may not have any blemishes. On the afternoon of Erev Pesach a representative of each Chaburah brings the lamb or kid goat to the Beis HaMikdash. This is all done after the Korban Tamid of the afternoon was brought, after the Ktores was burned and after the Menorah lamps were fixed and trimmed.  The Chavurah representatives are then brought into the Azarah of the Beis HaMikdash, along with the lambs and kid goats. The Azarah was a large courtyard in the Bais HaMikdash that contained the Mizbayach and the Heichal, the three-part building where only Kohanim may enter.  The Kohanim would get the knives for Shechita in the Ulam, although any Jew was permitted to shecht the Korban Pesach.  The Korban must be slaughtered with the correct Kavanah.  It must be leshaim the Korban Pesach and for the consumption of that particular Chavurah.  If either intent is absent the Korban is invalid. When the Azarah is filled with people, the gates of the Beis HaMikdash are then locked.  There were a total of three shifts only, and each shift had to have at least 30 people.  If there were only 50 people who came to slaughter the Korban Pesach, thirty enter the Azarah and slaughter their sacrificial animals. Ten leave and another ten enter. Then ten more leave and another ten enter. During the Shechita and the offering the Leviim sing Hallel (Tehillim 113-118).  […]
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