Try, Try Again

In this week's parsha, Bahaalosecha, we read about the mitzvah of Pesach Sheini. If someone was impure or far away when the Passover sacrifice was being brought, he should bring it on Pesach Sheini, a month later. 

The first unique thing about this mitzvah is that the Torah tells us the story of how this mitzvah came to be. "There were people that were impure... They came before Moshe... Why should we lose out?... "

Another unique thing is that they only asked about being impure, which was no fault of their own. However, Hashem added that if he is far, which is understood to mean a minimal distance, this too can be made up on Pesach Sheini. 

What lesson can we take from these two oddities, the story behind the mitzvah and the addition of being far which is not really far at all? 

There is the possibility to be near and far at the same time. Near in distance yet detached and distant in attitude. Being here in body and elsewhere in mind. For example, you could be davening to Hashem, you are saying the words but your mind is wandering. Hashem wants us to be close to Him, to love Him and yet, it is possible to be so close and totally ignore Him. To this Hashem is saying "I still want you to be close to Me, try again, do it better". Only like the people in the story of Pesach Sheini, you need to really want it. If you do, it will always be possible to get close to Hashem. 

At home too, our spouses and our children yearn for our love and closeness. While we might be with them physically, it is often the case that they feel ignored because our attention is not focused on them. 

Not being able to move, I yearn to hug and play with my kids. I realize the value of spending quality time with them and I do the best I can in my circumstance to be with them. 

First you need to realize what you are missing out on, then you need to truly want to change and finally you have know that they yearn for this connection and will welcome your love. Don't give up on the best thing you have.