Pesach Sheni, as compared to the other mitzvos of the Torah, is unique, in that the other mitzvos were initiated from above and given to Moshe Rabbeinu to command the Jewish people—the mitzvos were not asked for. As an exception to this is the mitzvah of Pesach Sheni (one of the 613 mitzvos) which was given to the Jewish people only after they demanded of Moshe Rabbeinu "lama nigorah" (why should we be deprived) from making the korban Pesach. From which they were disqualified because they were tamei (ritually impure) or "far away".
For someone to come and ask for a mitzvah is strange, when G-d nor Moshe doesn’t command it; Especially when we consider who were these disqualified individuals that demanded not to be deprived.
The Sages explain (Sukkah 25a. Yalkut Shimoni Bhaaloscho #721) that these people were involved in carrying the "bones of Yosef" (which were brought out of Mitzrayim) or that they were involved with removing Nadav and Avihu, the two sons of Aharon, who had expired in the mishkan.
In any case, these disqualified individuals were not just ordinary people, but they had been chosen to serve in an elite group.
It follows that if all Jews had emunah (faith) in "G-d and Moshe His servant" how much more so, these individuals who were men of a higher caliber. Their emunah in Moshe was superior to that of all the Jews. Why then did they not have faith and depend on Moshe regarding the korban pesach: if it’s necessary for them to bring it then Moshe will tell them to, and if it is not necessary to bring the korban-pesach, why push the issue?
We learn from Pesach-Sheni an amazing lesson: When a Jew feels that he is lacking and deficient in matters of yiras shomayim, Torah and mitzvos, he cannot depend on anyone, not on Moshe Rabbeinu not even (as it were) on G-d, and he doesn’t say "we have no one to depend on only on our Father in Heaven" (Sotah 49b), but he cries out "Why should we be deprived"!
Its written in Seforim (see also Sefer Hasichos 5702 p. 17) that proclaiming "we have no one to depend on only on our Father in Heaven" is also one of the signs of the darkness of golus, ikvos Meshicha – because with this one justifies himself of the fact that he is not doing anything – because "we have no one to depend on only on our Father in Heaven"! . . .
In matters of "yiras shomayim" and "kedushah" you cannot depend on an initiative from above, but one has to demand it on his own.
Our Sages tell us (Berachos 33b) "all matters are in the hands of Heaven except matters concerning the fear of Heaven". Spiritual and heavenly matters are dependent on the free-choice of every individual. That's why G-d wants that one should demand his spiritual needs, and when one expresses his yearning and craving for his spirituality, when one reaches out, his efforts are reciprocated, as we see with Pesach Sheni, that following the protest "why should we be deprived" — G-d gave them a new mitzvah of Pesach Sheni.
But one must take the initiative.
(To be continued IYH)
(Sicha of Pesach Sheni 5744)
