Torah Portion: Bo
No uncircumcised man may eat [the offering] (Shemos 12:48).
It is a negative commandment that a man who is not circumcised may not eat from the Pesach offering, as is written, No uncircumcised man may eat [the offering] (Shemos 12:48). Scripture here is not referring to an uncircumcised gentile but to an Israelite who, due to a health risk, was unable to have himself circumcised (such as when several of his brothers died as a result of their circumcision). [Despite his legitimate reason,] nevertheless he may not eat from the Pesach offering. This is all the more so if he was intentionally not circumcised—he may not eat from the Pesach offering.
However, it is only from the offering itself that he may not partake, but he does eat matzah and bitter herbs. The same applies to the “temporary resident” (a gentile who has rejected idol worship) and the “hired hand” (a convert who has not yet immersed in a mikvah).
Among the roots of this commandment: It follows the same reason which we discussed above regarding the “temporary resident” and the “hired hand” who similarly may not from the Pesach offering.
This commandment applies when the Temple stands. One who transgress this commandment, such as an uncircumcised man who ate a kezayis (the size of an olive) of the offering, receives lashes.
