BS’D
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It is never too late to correct our ways – this is the first lesson of the day, today, Pesach Sheini. Is this a cause for celebration? Yes. Let us understand why.
The essence of this day is rooted in the fact that whoever was unable to partake in the sacrifice of the Paschal lamb on Pesach could still do so in the second month of Iyar, today, the 14th. Yet this privilege was not given to whoever deliberately did not perform this mitzvah.
Relating this to our day and time we are confronted day in and day out with a myriad of mitzvot to perform; some of which are intimately dependent on time. If we willed to do so, we could fill up our entire day serving Hashem. Yet, we cannot always complete that which we wish to achieve. The Torah instructs us to do our best, to want to want to do Hashem’s will.
Today we put this teaching into practice by reflecting on our desire and not on our deeds. Let us reflect on our unpretentious desire to live in the image of Hashem. Do we wish to? If so, let’s keep feeding that fire; onward and upward.
However, as today symbolizes the notion of a second chance, let us seriously contemplate whether we indeed embrace that desire. This second chance is awarded to those who wish to but for some reason were unable. Where there is weakening; there can be strengthening.
Rebbe Nachman ztk’l calls this a descent for the purpose of ascent; to go even higher. Now that is a reason to celebrate!
Some points to note on the 14th of Iyar: Pesach Sheini, the yahrtzeit of R’ Meir Ba’al HaNess ztk’l:
There is a custom to eat matzah on Pesach Sheni.
Pesach Sheni is the Yom Hilula of the tanna, Rebbi Meir Baal HaNess. There is a long standing custom to give money li’iluy nishmas Rebbi Meir Baal HaNess, as a way to find lost objects or for help in any area of life. The money should go, specifically, to help the poor of Eretz Yisroel.
The Chida ztk’l says that the source for this custom is the Gemara (Avodah Zara 18a-b) where Rebbi Meir bribed a guard to release his imprisoned sister-in-law. The guard asked what happens if he’s caught and Rebbi Meir told him to say Eloka D’Meir Aneini (G-d of Meir answer me) and he would be saved, and that’s what happened. From there comes the custom of donating money or oil for the neshama of Rebbi Meir, sayingEloka D’Meir Aneini, 3 times.
Rebbi Meir Baal HaNess said he would help those that gave to the poor of Eretz Yisroel, for the sake of hisneshama.
Reb Dovid of Dinov points out a fascinating allusion: Mishlei 12:25 says דְּאָגָה בְלֶב-אִישׁ יַשְׁחֶנָּה – if one has worry in his heart, he should suppress it. Mesechta Sanhedrin 100b explains this as ישיחנה לאחרים, tell it over to others. Mesechta Horios 13b says אחרים refers to Rebbi Meir. Putting it all together – if one is in a time of trouble give tzedaka for the neshama of Rebbi Meir Baal HaNess. (Tzemach Dovid)
The Baal Shem Tov says that if one is in danger and is in need of a miraculous salvation he should give 18gedulim (not sure of the modern day equivalent) for neiros in the shul and say:
Ani minader osan chai gedulim lineiros bishvil nishmas Rabbeinu Meir Baal HaNess, Eloka D’Meir Aneini, Eloka D’Meir Aneini, Eloka D’Meir Aneini, u’vichein Yehi Rotzon Milfonecha A-donai E-loheinu VE-lohei Avoseinu kishem Sheshoma’as es tefilas Avdecha Meir Vi’osisa lo nisim viniflaos kein ta’aseh imodi v’im kol Yisroel Amecha hatzrichim linisim nistarim v’niglo’im. Amen, Kein Yehi Rotzon. (Keser Shem Tov)
