The answer is: Lamb

Exo 12:5 - Unblemished. A shadow of Jesus who is our Passover Lamb.

Passover is a rich celebration, loaded with layers of significance in Jewish heritage. The primary sacrifice during this festival was indeed a lamb, specifically one without any blemish—symbolizing purity and perfection. This practice originates from Exodus 12, where God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doors with its blood to protect them from the final plague on Egypt. This rite is steeped in themes of deliverance and redemption.

The notion of the lamb as a symbol of sacrifice doesn’t just live in Passover; it winds through various scriptures and ideas, culminating in references to Jesus as the "Lamb of God" in the New Testament. This connection helps deepen our understanding, reflecting on how concepts can evolve and embrace higher ideals about sacrifice and selflessness.

Here’s an intriguing trivia: Did you know that during Passover, unleavened bread (matzah) is also central? This bread becomes a metaphorical representation of both suffering and hurry—historically, the Israelites fled Egypt in such haste there wasn’t time for the bread to rise. The marrying of the lamb sacrifice and the matzah showcases the intertwined themes of struggle and salvation, enhancing our perspective not just of Passover but of freedom exercised in different contexts. This interplay of traditions invites us to explore the significance of liberation and moral responsibility across our own lives and histories.