Parshat Beha'alotcha
18 Sivan 5761
June 9, 2001
Daf Yomi: Kiddushin 33


Guest Rabbi:
Rabbi Evan Shore
Young Israel Shaarei Torah, Syracuse, NY

The mitzva of Pesach Sheni is a very difficult one to understand. Why was the mitzva of Korban Pesach singled out from all other mitzvot associated with Pesach for a second chance, if not performed in its appropriate time?

The Rambam in Hilchot Korban Pesach 5:1 tells us: "One who is impure at the time of the slaughtering of the Korban Pesach may not slaughter it. If one is on a distant journey or is prevented in any other way or was unable to offer (in the month of Nisan), this individual may bring the Korban Pesach on the 14th day of the second month (Iyar)."

There are other Biblical commandments associated with Pesach. What are the ramifications if one was not able to buy matza or was unable due to health reasons to eat matza on the night of the 15th of Nisan. In addition, when we offer the Korban Pesach the mitzva of maror is Biblical. Accordingly, if we had no maror for Pesach is there any mechanism in place to make up this mitzva if not performed at its proper time?

The Torah tells us (Bamidbar 9:6): "There were men who had been contaminated by a human corpse and could not make the Pesach Offering on that day..." The Sifrei offers many explanations as to why these individuals were impure and unable to offer the Korban Pesach at its correct time in Nisan. Rabbi Akiva maintains that these men were Mishael and Elzaphan, Aaron's cousins. They were impure through coming in contact with the corpses of Nadav and Avihu. They felt it was unfair to lose the chance to perform the mitzva of the Korban Pesach because of their impurity especially when it was contracted through the performance of a mitzva. The Malbim tells us that since the death of Nadav and Avihu occurred on the 8th of Nisan, Mishael and Elzaphan would still be impure on the 15th of Nisan due to their contact with dead bodies. As a result they were prevented from offering the Korban Pesach on the 14th of Nisan. Rabbi Yishmael feels that these men were given the task of carrying the remains of Yosef. As a result, they were not able to offer the Korban Pesach at its appointed time. Lastly, Rabbi Yitzchok teaches us that there was an occasion of a Meit Mitzva, (the burying of a dead person, when no one else is around to bury that person.) The individuals who observed this tremendous mitzva were prevented from offering the Korban Pesach in their contaminated state.

Regardless of the individuals or circumstances, there were men who went to Moshe and Aaron saying, (Bamidbar 9:7): "We are impure through a human corpse. Why should we lose out by not offering a Korban L'HaShem in its appointed time among Bnei Yisrael?" The answer to this question gave birth to the mitzva of Pesach Sheni. In effect, it gives those who are tamei in Nisan a second chance in Iyar a month later. But why is Korban Pesach different or more important than matza or maror?

Rabbi Ben Zion Firer in Hegyona Shel Torah writes that the Korban Pesach is the key and cornerstone of Judaism. Contained in the mitzva of the Korban Pesach is remembering the Exodus from Egypt, splitting of the Sea of Reeds, the man and declaring that HaShem is the Manhig Ha'Olam.

Yet, if one would eat matza and not offer the Korban Pesach would we not accomplish the same as if the Korban Pesach were offered? Doesn't matza in some way remind us of everything HaShem did for us when we left Egypt? In addition, the holiday of Sukkot also reminds us of the Exodus from Egypt. In fact we should celebrate Sukkot on the 15th of Nisan. Just imagine eating the Korban Pesach with matza and maror in a Sukka! (However, in order to answer those who might say that we are eating in the Sukka for its shade from the heat of the sun and not as a command from G-d, HaShem pushed off the mitzva of Sukka until Tishrei.) If one was exempt from eating in the Sukka why not give us another chance in Cheshvan to eat in the Sukka to make up for the lost mitzva?

The answer to this entire dilemma is very simple. Eating matza and the mitzva of Sukka mark events that took place after the exodus from Egypt. We eat matza to remind us how the dough of Bnei Yisrael did not have time to rise since we were in haste while leaving Egypt. We eat in the Sukka to remind us how HaShem protected us in the midbar after we left Egypt. The Korban Pesach was preparation for the Geula, the redemption from Egypt. Without the Korban Pesach there could be no redemption.

Shmot Raba 20 tells us "In the merit of Yosef, Pesach Sheni is offered." I think the connection is very clear. Yosef lived outside Eretz Yisrael from age 17. Yet he remained steadfastly loyal to HaKadosh Baruch Hu in every way. He was always preparing for his ultimate geula, being reunited with Yaakov his father, and once again being part of the Sons of Israel.

There were many times in the history of the Jewish people that it seemed like the Geula was about to occur but somehow it slipped through our fingers. Do not worry, HaShem is giving us yet another chance. Just like the Korban Pesach was a preparation for Geula from Egypt, the life of Yosef in all of its righteousness should motivate us to prepare for the Geula Shleima, not only through words but by deeds. Rid ourselves of the tuma in our lives and emulate the righteous life of Yosef HaTzadik and then we can begin our preparation for the the Geula and then please G-d, we will merit the arrival of Moshiach speedily in our days!