Pesach Sheni Explained: The Powerful Lesson of Second Chances in Jewish Thought

During the time of the Holy Temple, the Jewish people brought the Passover offering on the 14th of Nissan, the eve of Passover. Both men and women were obligated to participate in this sacrifice.

Those who were ritually impure and therefore unable to ascend to the Temple before completing their purification process, as well as those who were unable to reach the Temple in time for the 14th of Nissan could not offer the Passover sacrifice at its appointed time. A group of people who found themselves unable to bring the offering approached Moshe Rabbeinu with a heartfelt plea: “Why should we be left out?” They too wanted the opportunity to offer the Passover sacrifice.

The Birth of Pesach Sheni

Moshe turned to God, and in response, the mitzvah of Pesach Sheni was given one of the 613 commandments. Those who were unable to bring the Passover offering at its proper time received a second opportunity to do so on Pesach Sheni, which falls on the 14th of Iyar.

Remarkably, the mitzvah of Pesach Sheni was not originally commanded on God’s initiative alone. It was added only after the request and demand of the Jewish people.

Becoming Partners With God

From this we can learn two very powerful lessons for our spiritual lives.

First, we have the ability to influence reality and become partners with God. Every Jew can turn to God in prayer, request, and even heartfelt protest, and have an impact. Each person carries a divine soul that is a spark of Godliness, allowing us to participate in shaping the world. Because Jews voiced their longing, an additional mitzvah was added to the Torah.

Second, God waits and hopes that the Jewish people will actively yearn for redemption. The demand and longing for redemption from within the nation has the power to hasten its arrival. We are encouraged to pray that we merit to live in a redeemed world in our physical bodies, to see the Holy Temple with our own eyes, and to fulfill all the mitzvot that can be observed only when the Temple stands. As the Sages say in Midrash Shmuel: “Israel will not be redeemed until they demand the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of the House of David, and the Holy Temple.”

A Message of Hope and Second Chances

Pesach Sheni teaches us that there is always another chance. It is a message of hope and of the power within each person to repair and transform reality even someone who was distant or impure can return and make things right. The Lubavitcher Rebbe famously taught: “The idea of Pesach Sheni is that nothing is ever lost; it is always possible to correct.”

The Customs and Spiritual Meaning of Pesach Sheni

On Pesach Sheni, the prayer of Tachanun is not recited, and there is a custom to eat matzah. Handmade matzah baked for the sake of the mitzvah is considered a unique food, combining physical nourishment with deep spiritual qualities. In the Zohar it is referred to as the food of healing, and the food of faith.