This week we are introduced to a novel and nearly unique concept in the Torah.  Imagine, you are ship wrecked on a desert island and are there for 30 days.  While you are there comes the YomTov of Succos.  Of course you abstain from Melacha and fashion whatever type of “Seuda” you can muster up, but Lulav and Esrog you are not going to have.  Finally you are rescued and you arrive home.  You are deeply troubled by the fact that you missed the entire Yom Tov.  You feel terrible that for the first time in your adult life you missed out on the Mitzvah of Lulav and Esrog.  Sadly, there is nothing you can do.  Generally if there is a Mitzvas Hayom for a specific date, if you missed it, even through no fault of your own, you missed it.  Sad, but that's the reality.  Except...Korban Pesach. 

This week we are taught of this extremely novel idea of Pesach Sheni.  You were Tameh at the time for bringing the Korban Pesach – No Problem!! There's a second chance day!!!  (Behaloscha 9:10-11) You can bring the Korban Pesach on the 14^th day of Iyar in place of the 14^th day of Nissan!  Why here? Why this Mitzvah of all others do we get a chance for a “makeup” day?  Many Mepharshim explain the reason is because “We asked for it” (9:7)  “We were Tameh on the day for bringing the Korbon but why should we be diminished and miss out on this Mitzvah.”  Imagine having such love for a Mitzvah that not only do we feel bad because we missed out but we actually request a second chance! It was this love demonstrated for this Mitzvah which brought Hashem to offer this “second chance” day to bring the Korban. 

This idea reminded me very much of an idea I heard from my father many times over the years.  He would point out that each of the Avos had a particular Mida with which they were identified.  Avraham is most identified with the Mida of Chesed.  Many times it is pointed out that as members of Klal Yisroel we have this Mida of Chesed from Avraham Avinu.  However, my father asked, what stories do we have in the Torah of Avraham's great Chesed?  Yes, we are told that he prepared a meal for three strangers.  He rescued Lot from Sedom.  Great things to be sure but hardly the stuff of which legends are made.  Where are the extraordinary acts of Chesed which explain Avraham being synonymous with this Mida?  This question is all the more troubling in that we see other acts of Chesed described in the Torah which on their face appear to me much greater.  Rochel gave the Simanim to Leah, Noach cared for all the animals, Hashem gave Adam and Chava clothing when they were first embarrassed by being naked (immediately in the aftermath of their disobeying Hashem and eating from the Etz Hadaas).  Any of these would seem to be greater in magnitude than serving a meal?

My father answered quite profoundly.  There are many people who when given the opportunity to do Chesed they are ready, prepared and step up to the plate.  But Avraham was the only one we see that he was in pain because he did not have the opportunity to do Chesed!  That's a different ballgame.  It was three days after Avraham's Bris and Hashem made it unusually hot so there would not be travelers passing by Avraham's tent who he would want to do Chesed for.  And it worked. But Avraham was so pained by the lack of travelers he could assist, that Hashem sent “Malachim” so he would have people to wait on.  That's the stuff that legends are made of.  Not only am I prepared to do Chesed but I am so sad at the lack of opportunity that it pains me. 

Hashem rewarded us for precisely this attitude towards Mitzvos with the opportunity of Peasach Sheni.

Hopefully, we can exemplify the Mida of Avraham and show this same Ahava for all the Mitzvos.  We should strive and indeed feel disappointed when the opportunity does not present itself.