Sometimes we simply miss the boat. A failed relationship with someone who has moved on. A business opportunity that has expired. A coveted home that has already sold.
But, then there are moments when we get a second chance.
The person comes back into our lives. The business deal fell through, reigniting a chance for me to get involved. The house is suddenly back on the market.
We don’t always understand Hashem’s mysterious ways – why some things slip away and why we sometimes are given a second chance.
Many times it’s not our fault. An unforeseen illness prevented my attendance at school, so I missed the test. Accidents happen and hopefully others will be understanding and give us a second chance.
We’ve all been in instances, however, where it’s clearly our fault. I failed to study for the test and got an F. But my kind teacher allows me a make-up test. The doors of the bus have closed before my tardy arrival. But, the compassionate bus driver opens them again.
We are grateful for life’s second chances.
Sometimes, we need to fight for them.
***
On Sunday, we observe Pesach Sheni (the second Passover). In the times of the Mishkan and the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple), there were people who were unable to bring the Pesach offering. Some people were too far away to make it, others were ritually impure, invalidating them from participation.
A group of these people petitioned G-d. They felt it was unfair to miss out on the special mitzvah of the Pesach offering. Hashem acquiesced to their wish and granted a make-up date, called Pesach Sheni, one month after the original Pesach.
The lesson to us is obvious.
G-d believes in second chances. He is willing to let us try again – even if failure was our fault the first time around. This is the message of Pesach Sheni – it’s never too late!
***
In a Chassidic gathering in 1980 the Lubavitcher Rebbe probed this message even deeper.
Jewish law stipulates that if someone converts to Judaism during the month between Pesach and Pesach Sheni, this convert must bring the Pesach offering on Pesach Sheni. Now, if (as explained above) Pesach Sheni is a make-up date for those that were unable or unwilling to bring the Pesach offering on its proper date, why is the convert – who wasn’t even Jewish then – required to bring the offering on Pesach Sheni? That would be akin to asking someone who isn’t even in the class to make up a missed test!
Rather, the Rebbe explained, the eternal soul of this convert was always connected to Judaism. He or she was always destined to be a Jew. As such, s/he also has a relationship (albeit concealed) with the original Pesach offering before s/he even converted. So, when Pesach Sheni arrives, s/he needs to participate in this make-up offering.
A convert, who was not yet part of the Jewish people, is given a make-up option for something s/he didn’t miss! This is because deep down, s/he really is connected to the Pesach offering. Similarly, it’s never too late for us to make amends.
We may have been trying hard or we may have been sleeping on the job. In fact, we may have forgotten altogether that there was a job. We still get a make-up date.
Why? Because deep down our souls always remain connected to Hashem. All we need to do is reveal it.
Taken from that perspective, it’s no wonder we are given a second chance!