This coming Monday is one month after Pesach (Passover) and is known as "Pesach Sheni - the Second Passover."
A year after our ancestors left Egyptian exile, they were preparing to celebrate Pesach. However, some of them had become ritually impure and were not permitted to offer the Passover sacrifice. They begged Moses to intercede on their behalf and with G-d's permission they were allowed to offer the sacrifice one month later on the 14th of Iyar.
The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, wrote: "The theme of Pesach Sheni is that it is never too late! It is always possible to put things right. Even if one was ritually impure, or far away, and even in a case when this impurity or distance was deliberate - nonetheless it can be corrected."
It's never too late! We can always make up for a past misdeed, omission or failing through sincere desire and making amends.
It's never too late! What an inspiring and optimistic thought! There's always a chance to improve, to become better, to learn and do.
This is truly a motto worth memorizing (and hanging on the refrigerator). Rather than muttering about yourself or another person, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," realise that it's never too late.
You didn't put on tefillin yesterday? Today's a new day and it's still not too late. You have another chance.
You didn't light candles for Shabbat last Friday night? Do it this week, you have another chance.
You never went to Hebrew school, so you can't read Hebrew? Enroll in an adult education course; so long as you're alive and well, it's not too late.
You never knew that Judaism had so much to offer? Now that you know, do something about it, because so long as you're alive and well, it's never too late!
