Question
When did Pesach and Chag Matzoht become seperate? Did the Sanhindrin ordain it. When I read the Tanahk I only see Passover as the Sacrifice being slaughtered on the 14th between the evenings (bane haereveem) or in the afternoon just before the 15th.
Answer
Pesach and Chag HaMatzot have always been the same. There never was a change, other that since today we have no Temple we do not bring the Pesach offering. The Torah tells us that the Pesach sacrifice is to be slaughtered on the afternoon of the 14th of Nissan, and eaten that night after sundown (on the fifteenth), “on Matzoh and bitter herbs”. This was the practice in Egypt, and from the time that we received the Torah until the destruction of our Temple.
Take care,
Rabbi Aaron Tendler