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 Torah Thoughts
Pesach Sheni
On Friday, May 12, we will celebrate the quasi-holiday
of Pesach Sheni, the “Second Passover.” The source for this holiday can be
found in Numbers 9:10-11. There was a group of individuals who, since they
had come in contact with a corpse (according to our Tradition, they were
transporting the remains of Joseph), were unable to participate in the first
Passover sacrifice after the Exodus. (One who is ritually impure may not
bring an offering.) Although they would not be penalized, they felt deprived
of the privilege of participating in this national, covenantal event. They
beseeched Moses to help them. G-d told Moses that one who was unable to
participate in the Pesach offering due to circumstances other than negligence,
would be given the opportunity to bring the offering exactly one month later,
on the fourteenth of Iyar. G-d revealed a mitzvah through the alacrity of
those who desired to serve Him. We can learn a powerful lesson from this. A
person who has been distanced from serving G-d can always approach G-d and
demonstrate his eagerness to come close to Him. As Psalm 145 indicates, “G-d
is close to all who call upon Him sincerely.” All we need to do is to
indicate a sincere desire to come close, and He will be there for us. It is
customary on this day not to recite the weekday Tachanun (supplication)
prayer, and to eat some Matzah (although one may still eat chametz-leavened
bread.)
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Baruch Price
Technical
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