Weekly Torah Thought

In this weeks Torah portion, Behaaloscha, one of the issues discussed is Pesach Sheni/Second Pesach.

While traveling in the desert, some Jews who were ritually impure came to Moses and asked, While we are ritually impure and we are not able to bring the Karbon Pesach/Paschal Lamb why should we lose the opportunity for taking part in this special celebration?

After Moses prayed to G-d on behalf of these Jews, Moses taught that any Jew that did not celebrate the Passover sacrifices because they are spiritually impure or distant from the Sanctuary will have a second chance to bring the Karbon Pesach on the 14th of Iyar instead of the 14th of Nissan.

We can learn a fascinating lesson from this interaction in that even if we fall into a state of ritual impurity or are far away (i.e. lack of interest or enthusiasm) G-d always gives us another opportunity. We are never locked out; we always have a second chance.

A Little Humor

At the funeral service for a rich Jewish banker, one of the mourners is beating his breast and wailing with much more passion than the others. The Rabbi, much concerned, taps him on the shoulder.
"I am sorry for you, no doubt you are one of the deceased's close relations?"
"No! No!," sobbed the man.
"That's why I'm crying!"