The Pascal sacrifice was a core institution of the 2nd Temple period. Families would travel throughout Eretz Israel to Jerusalem bringing with them offerings for sacrifice including a lamb for the pascal offering. On arriving at the Temple, they would offer up the lamb for a burnt offering on the altar via the Priests and then would be handed back the burnt lamb for their own consumption in the Temple precincts. Thus began the eating of a meal in family groups at the time of the Passover sacrifice.
The views expressed in this D’var Torah do not necessarily reflect the position of Leo Baeck College.