Ask the Rabbi
The Previous Rebbe explained that “Pesach Sheni teaches us that 'Nothing is ever lost: it's never too late!' Our conduct can always be rectified. Even someone who is impure, who was far away and even desired to be so, can still correct himself.” There is no justification for despair. Every individual, no matter what his situation, always has the potential to make a “leap forward” (the literal translation of the Hebrew word pesach) in his service of G-d.
Given the significance of Pesach Sheni, one might ask: Why was it instituted a full month after Pesach, in the month of Iyar? Wouldn't it have been better to atone for our deficiencies at the earliest opportunity, in Nissan?
We can answer this question by comparing the spiritual characteristics of Nissan and Iyar. Nissan is the month of revelation, the month during which G-d revealed His greatness and redeemed the Jewish people despite their inadequacies. Iyar, by contrast, is the month of individual endeavor, a quality that is exemplified by the mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer. The theme of Iyar, self-refinement initiated by the individual himself, is in keeping with the nature of Pesach Sheni, the festival in which an individual who was not motivated by Pesach is given an additional opportunity to elevate himself.
Pesach and Chametz Together
The different stages of divine service represented by Pesach Rishon (the first Pesach) and Pesach Sheni are reflected in one of the halachic differences between them. On Pesach Rishon, all traces of chametz must be obliterated; on Pesach Sheni, although we eat matzah, one may have chametz in one's possession.
On Pesach Rishon, hoisted aloft by the divinely initiated revelations of the month of Nissan, we strive to reach new heights of spiritual freedom by stepping beyond the limits of our own personalities. This necessitates leaving behind our chametz, i.e., our egotism. Then comes the month of Iyar, with its demand for individual spiritual homework. On Pesach Sheni, accordingly, we concentrate on rectifying and upgrading our current levels of conduct. And since in this kind of avodah we have to deal with all the current components of our natures, the possession of chametz on Pesach Sheni is permitted.
The Desire Within Our Hearts
In light of this, we can explain why the mitzvah of Pesach Sheni came about in response to the sincere request of individuals who were impure. One of the goals of Judaism is to draw holiness—downward, so to speak—into the world. A more important goal, however, is to elevate the world and the worldly aspects of man, to transform all aspects of our being, and bring to the surface the essential G-dliness within us.
The institution of Pesach Sheni was prompted by the heartfelt desires of those who, despite their impurity, protested, “Why should we be prevented from bringing the offering of G-d?” The mitzvah was given not as a commandment from above, but as an expression of man's inner need to establish a bond with G-d.
This need exists in potential in every Jewish heart. Man's plea for “one more chance” reflects the mode of divine service called teshuvah (repentance; lit., “return”). For everyone, even a person who is “on a distant path,” possesses a divine potential which always seeks to realize itself.
Just as a fish lives in the water, which is crucial for its survival, so must we remain immersed in Torah, which is compared to water, as we read, “Everyone that thirsts, go to the water.” This is vividly explained in the Talmud's parable of the fox and the fishes. But though fish are constantly in water, it is said that when a drop of rain falls, they open their mouths to snap up the drops as if they never tasted water in their life. So, too, the Jewish people, who are immersed in Torah at all times, make an effort to learn new interpretations of the Torah on Shabbat. Additionally, it is written in the Zohar that Shabbat is dedicated to Torah and matters of the soul—for it was on Shabbat that the Torah was given to Israel on Sinai.
Why Eat Fish on Shabbat? Part 2 (continued from last week)
5. Thirsting for Every Drop of Torah
6. No Eyelids
Fish don't have any eyelids. As a result, their eyes are always opened. We eat fish on Shabbat, alluding to the notion that G d's “eyes” are always opened, watching over us with love and compassion.
7. First Course
Fish were the first created living beings, and Shabbat is the root of all life for the upcoming week. Therefore, the custom is to begin the Shabbat meal with fish. (It should be noted that there are additional, halachic reasons why fish would come before other courses in a meal.)
8. More Refined
During the Great Flood in the days of Noach, the land animals were also punished, since they had become corrupted and were mating with animals that were not of their kind. The fish, however, were able to survive in the water, since they had not become corrupted. On Shabbat, when we celebrate the most spiritually elevated day of the week, it is only fitting that we do so with the most spiritually elevated of the creations.
9. Fishing for a Mitzvah
In general, kosher animals have mitzvahs performed on them prior to being eaten (e.g., kosher slaughter and salting away the blood). Fish, however, are the exception. They have no special mitzvahs or rituals required to be performed prior to consumption. Therefore, to make up for this lack, we eat fish on Shabbat—thus associating fish with the great mitzvah of Shabbat.
10. The Missing Dish
The Midrash tells us that the manna had every conceivable taste that one could wish for, except for the taste of fish. That is why the people murmured: “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt.” This lack of fish became the focus of their dissatisfaction and complaints in the desert. Therefore, we now have the custom to eat fish, demonstrating that we are thankful to G d and our delight in the Shabbat is “complete.” What was once a symbol of our grievances to G d has become a symbol of gratitude.
11. The Leviathan in the Messianic Era
The holy day of Shabbat is a glimmer of Olam Habah, the World to Come, which is referred to as “a day that is completely Shabbat.” Since one of the foods that will be served at the great feast when Moshiach comes is the Leviathan, we have the custom to eat fish on Shabbat. With this custom, we also show our yearning for the coming of Moshiach, may it be speedily in our days!
