With the advancement of technology and robotics the margin of error is diminishing. People know exactly what time they will arrive at destinations. Surgeries are more precise than ever. Factories produce products that rarely have malfunction issues. You can even order a meal to be delivered knowing exactly how many calories are in it. Now I do not really know if that is possible, but certainly it will be soon.
In today’s world, bosses demand perfection from real workers as if they were robots. Is it possible for a human being not to err or sin? Can a person live a life without free choice, like a robot?
The generation that traveled the desert were in a special league of their own. They had seen miracles, heard G-d, and reached a level of refinement incomparable to any generation. They were Tzaddikim, righteous people and they had absolute control over their bodies. It would take extreme effort to do anything against the will of G-d.
This is why a small group came to Moshe during the holiday of Pessach and said, “We are not able to bring the Paschal Sacrifice. – We feel something is holding us back from bringing it, but we do not know what?”
Impurity law
The Jewish people knew the Paschal sacrifice law that if the entire Jewish nation was impure the sacrifice would be brought anyways. However, this was a small group that was impure and they did not know if the same law applied. They felt that something was different, but they had to clarify with Moshe. He told them that they were right: only if the entire nation is impure is the sacrifice brought while being impure, but if a small group is impure, they should bring the sacrifice on another day – Pessach Sheni.
From this incident, we can see the greatness of the Jews at the time. Their bodies were in absolute control to do the right thing. Today, we are not on that level, as we are not like robots. We are human beings with choices and temptations that confront us daily. The same way we make mistakes and look at ourselves with compassion, should we look at our employees and certainly our children. Nobody is perfect. Even the very best make mistakes.
At a class this week, a member felt regret for not coming to the synagogue after having committed to go. Hashem is kind as he is constantly giving us second chances. Be it for Pessach, or to go to synagogue. Give yourself a second chance if you failed in something just like you should to your fellow man.
Shabat Shalom!
Rabbi Arieh Raichman
