Now You Know

The Jews were commanded to smear the blood of the korban Pesach on the doorposts of their homes. Contrary to popular belief, Rashi teaches that the blood was only smeared INSIDE, where those who spread it could see it, but not others.

When Hashem says, “I will see the blood,” it also doesn’t mean Hashem needs a physical reminder of where the Jews were. Instead, the idea was that by smearing the blood inside their homes, they had done a concrete act to signify their trust in Hashem, earning salvation.

This mitzvah is what would be “seen” by Hashem, and also by the destroying angel, and is what would avert the crisis of death in the home. Not only that, but since the symbol represented the person, not the home, an Egyptian hiding there would be smitten as well.

One additional aspect is that when a person does a physical act, like the spreading of the blood, it becomes a sign to THEM - of their own dedication to Hashem. This act reinforces their belief in their own ability to be good, upright, and devoted followers of Hashem.

Hashem knows what’s in our hearts and minds, but sometimes, we, ourselves, forget or are unsure. By giving the Jews this mitzvah, Hashem enabled them to “see” for themselves that they were committed Jews who deserved to be redeemed.