Pesachim 115a - Hillel's Practice and Mitzvos Mevatlim

Full Summary

This shiur provides an in-depth analysis of Pesachim 115a, examining the fundamental dispute between Hillel and the Chachamim regarding how to consume the Pesach (פסח), matzah, and maror. The discussion begins with the Raavad's questions on the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s ruling, particularly why the Rambam only mentions matzah and maror together without including the Pesach sacrifice, and why the order seems imprecise. The shiur explores the Lechem Mishnah (משנה)'s interpretation that the Rambam requires both separate consumption and combined consumption, with different blessings depending on the order. However, a significant question arises: once one has already fulfilled the mitzvah (מצוה) of matzah and maror separately, what is the point of eating them together afterward? This leads to a fundamental analysis of the principle of mitzvos mevatlim zu es zu (mitzvos canceling each other out). The shiur suggests a novel interpretation based on different textual readings (girsaos) of the Gemara (גמרא), particularly the Rashbam's version. According to this reading, there are two different biblical verses being cited: 'al matzos u'marorim yochelu' (regarding all three items together) and 'matzos al marorim yochelu' (regarding only matzah and maror together). This leads to the conclusion that Hillel held one must eat all three items (Pesach, matzah, and maror) together, while the Chachamim held that only matzah and maror need to be eaten together. The shiur proposes that the Rambam is actually following the Chachamim's position, not Hillel's, which explains why he only mentions matzah and maror. The discussion then delves into the principle of bitul (nullification), suggesting that when dealing with three mitzvos, even a 2-to-1 ratio doesn't create nullification according to Hillel, while the Chachamim hold that mitzvos can be mevatel (cancel) each other when there's a majority. This creates an interesting parallel to the Gemara in Zevachim regarding forbidden foods. The shiur concludes by addressing how this applies in our time (bizman hazeh), when we can only eat matzah (d'rabbanan) and maror (which has no biblical obligation), explaining why they must be eaten separately first and then together as a remembrance (zecher) of the Temple practices.