Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Did you know that yesterday was a Jewish holiday? Monday April 26 coincided with 14 Iyar, also known as Pesach Sheni, the Second Passover. In ancient times, if one was impure due to contact with a corpse or far off in a distant place, that person was unable to celebrate Pesach at its appropriate time and place. In those situations, the Torah allowed that individual to celebrate the Pesach offering exactly one month later, called, Pesach Sheni.

The institution of Pesach Sheni marks one of a handful of cases where Moses did not know what to do. In the case of an individual who was unable to celebrate Passover at its desginated time, God informed Moses to offer the impure or distant person a second chance.

While we should never neglect Jewish obligations purposely, our tradition offers second opportunities to those who sincerely could not observe properly the first time around, and who earnestly desire to be faithful Jews. Such ideas as Repentance and the cyclical nature of Judaism enable all of us to improve our spiritual conduct over and over again. We are always given second chances. We can keep Shabbat better next week than the week before. We can keep Kosher better the next time we prepare a meal. We can keep the upcoming annual holiday better than we did last year, etc.

If you missed the recognition of Pesach Sheni yesterday, you can look for it again next year. One does not have to miss a second chance.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison