יחזקאל, פרק מ״ה, פסוק כ״א

The future dedication of the Temple is set to begin in the spring month of Nissan. On the fourteenth day of this month, the time arrives to prepare and offer the traditional Passover sacrifice [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. Because new sacrifices are introduced specifically for the dedication of the altar, an observer might mistakenly assume these new offerings replace the original Passover commandments given in the Torah. To prevent this confusion, it is made clear that the regular requirements remain entirely unchanged. The traditional Passover sacrifice is to be offered exactly as required, right alongside the newly instituted dedication offerings [מלבי״ם].

The celebration is defined by a unique term related to the number seven. The primary approach among commentators is that this simply describes a holiday lasting for seven consecutive days. However, another perspective suggests this specific phrasing hints that the traditional counting of seven weeks begins at this time [רש״י]. Throughout these days, the dietary laws remain strict: unleavened bread must be eaten, and all leavened foods are completely forbidden [רש״י, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ].

A broader look at these prophecies reveals an interesting pattern regarding the chosen festivals. There is an explicit warning to observe Passover, as well as the later festival of Tabernacles, yet the festival of Shavuot is completely omitted. This stems from a tradition that in the Messianic era, the Exodus from Egypt will no longer be highlighted as the central defining event of history. Since Passover and the festival of Tabernacles are both deeply tied to remembering the Exodus and the protective clouds in the desert, people might wrongly conclude that their observance will eventually be canceled. Therefore, a special emphasis was required to ensure these specific holidays continue to be kept, whereas Shavuot required no such warning [אהבת יהונתן].