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Pesach Sheini - There's still hope! |
It’s never too late! One month has already passed since Passover…and now Passover again. “A person that becomes impure or lives far away from the holy sanctuary, either now or in upcoming generations, will offer the Pascal Sacrifice to G-d”… “In the second month, on the 14th day”. A person who was unable to celebrate Passover in the correct manner is given the opportunity to correct his/her prior situation, and as a result can be part of a national effort. “Pesach Sheini”, as it is referred to in Hebrew, illustrates the point that nothing is forsaken or lost. One can always correct and perfect a previous situation. Even a person who was impure or far away, or even if the person willingly did what he/she did – still one can always correct and perfect a previous situation. The commandment to offer the Pascal Sacrifice as a second chance was given by G-d only after we asked for a second chance. Those who were unable to offer the Pascal Sacrifice in the right time went to Moses and said, “Why are we worth any less?” Moses’ reply was, “Stand and listen to what G-d is about to command you.” Every Jew has the right and the obligation to tell G-d, “Why are we worth any less?” “Why do we have to suffer in this bitter exile?” Send us the Moshiach now, literally! |
A perplexing claim | |
At first glance, our demand for another chance to offer the Pascal Sacrifice seems ludicrous. If G-d would really want such a thing, then certainly He would have already instituted it. If Moses didn’t receive word from G-d to do such a thing, then why ask all together? |
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“When a Jew feels that he lacks something in his/her fear of G-d, he doesn’t rely on anyone; neither on Moses nor even on G-d (as if to say). Instead, he screams out and demands of G-d, “Why are we worth any less?” |
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A directive to all Jews, including women | |
From here, we can derive what a Jew can accomplish, to the point where G-d fulfills his request and consequently adds another commandment, also pertaining to women. |
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“We find that special emphasis is given to women due to the fact that an entire chapter was added because of their demands…” |
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To lose the opportunity to offer the Pascal Sacrifice because of another Jew | |
Who wasn’t able to offer the Pascal Sacrifice and therefore had to make for it a month later on “Pesach Sheini? There are two opinions: *Those involved at the time in the performance of another mitzvah (commandment) * Impurity |
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“When you meet a fellow Jew in the street who is devoid of any spirituality, you should take the time to help him, even though you will lose something because of it…. The truth is, however, that you wouldn’t lose.” |
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Be completely devoted to the leader of the generation | |
The second opinion, as outlined above, as to who had to offer the Pascal Sacrifice in that first year, pertained to those who were impure, because they carried Joseph’s casket. From this, we can learn something as part of our divine service to G-d. |
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“When we’re talking about Joseph’s casket, i.e. the directives of the Joseph in our generation, you have to go about it all the way to the end. The truth is, however, that you wouldn’t lose.” |
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Eating matzah on Pesach Sheini | |
The Rebbe responded to someone who inquired about eating matzah on Pesach Sheini. |
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“In addition to what I verbally told him, based upon the custom of the Lubavitcher Rebbes, regarding the eating of matzah on the 14th day of Iyar (Pesach Sheini), I found a source for it already printed in books.” |
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To have leavened products and matzah at the same time in your house | |
On Pesach Sheini, the Torah prohibits eating leavened products with the Pascal Sacrifice, but there is no prohibition to keep leavened goods in the house. From this we can see the virtue of Pesach Sheini. |
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“The reason why on Pesach Sheini you are allowed to have both leavened goods and matzah at home is because of the tremendous accomplishment of matzah…for it can also purify and make holy that which is a leavened…” |
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“Why are we worth any less?” Then and now! | |
The Jews said then, “Why are we worth any less?”, in other words they didn’t want to lose the opportunity to offer the Pascal Sacrifice. This same claim is exemplified in our days by all Jews demanding that the redemption should already be. |
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“…That’s why Jews are screaming, “Why are we worth any less, unable to offer the Pascal Sacrifice?” How can it be that we’re still in exile, the Holy Temple in ruins, and we’re still unable to offer sacrifices?” |
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Congratulations! Regards, and it’s never too late! | |
The expression, “It’s never too late” has become the motto of Chabad. The Lubavitcher Rebbe mentioned on numerous occasions that this expression was used by the previous Rebbe. |
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“When he will see so and so, please send regards and tell him what my father-in-law used to say….(it’s never too late! And nothing is lost!) and they’re making a special holiday for him…” |
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