It is these two holidays that are discussed in Masechet Pesachim. Some divide the tractate into two parts, referring to them as Pesach Rishon - the first Passover - which deals with the laws of hametz and matzah, and Pesach Sheni - the second Passover - which focuses on the rules and regulations concerning the Passover sacrifice, that is to say, the Temple service. Some argue that it is because of the dual nature of the holiday, as taught in the Gemara, that the tractate is called Pesachim in the plural. Of course, as related in the passage in Bamidbar above, there really are two Passover sacrifices, referred to as Pesach Rishon and Pesach Sheni, both of which are discussed in our tractate. Pesach Rishon is the normal Pesach that takes place on the anniversary of the exodus in Nissan, while Peach Sheni is the "make-up" opportunity that is offered to those people who were tameh - ritually impure - or b'derekh rehokah - far from the Temple on the 14^th of Nissan, and are permitted to bring the sacrifice one month later, in Iyyar.

As noted, the practical commandments that apply on Hag ha-Matzot are eating matzah and refraining from eating hametz. Neither the Torah nor the Sages of the Talmud really explain the reason for these commandments, but we find similar rules with regard to sacrifices in the Temple, which include matzot and (generally speaking) forbid hametz. This seems to indicate a higher level of holiness and purity in eating matzah rather than hametz.

Although the Torah recounts the story and laws of the Pesach holiday, beyond the basics commands about hametz and matzah, little detail is given. Since the Biblical penalty for eating hametz - karet - is a severe one, there is a pressing need to define what hametz is, from what it can be made, etc. Similarly, the Torah does not tell us what should be done with the hametz that is found in a Jewish person's house, or what the passage lo yeira'eh v'lo yimatzeh - that hametz should neither be seen nor found - actually restricts. Since hametz is found in every Jewish house throughout the year and is produced in many different ways, the Gemara makes sure to define these issues in detail. Aside from the limited rules having to do with hametz, there are also more general rules about forbidden foods and their usage that are discussed in the first part of Masechet Pesachim.

The second part of this tractate really belongs less in the Order of of Mo'ed - holidays -and more in Kodashim - mishnayot that deal with the Temple service - since it focuses on the Passover sacrifice. Laws about the Temple service are a separate part of the Talmud, not only because the subject material is different than what is found elsewhere, but also because the method of study that is applied is different. There is a greater emphasis on hermeneutical interpretations of Biblical passages, as well as more frequent references to halakha le-Moshe mi-Sinai - oral traditions ascribed to Moses. Due to the high level of holiness associated with the Temple service, there are laws that are applied uniquely to this area of halakha. For example, when discussing the Temple service, not only are proper actions essential, but the kavanah< - the intent that accompanies each action - must be the correct one, as well.