As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“Why should we be held back from offering the offering of Hashem.” (9:7)

In this episode, Hashem teaches a principle. Even when a man is absolved from any obligation to perform a Mitzvah, yet he should desire the opportunity to be obligated. These men had not been able to participate in the Pesach sacrifice, since the were ritually unclean. Therefore they were blameless, according to the principle “The Torah absolves in unavoidable circumstances.” (Baba Kama 28B)

But it is not sufficient to be absolved, for the loss of the Positive achievement is in itself the cause of intense regret in the minds of the Righteous. Because of the merit of these righteous men who longed for opportunities to be obligated in Mitzvot, Hashem contrived that the subject of the Pesach Sheni be revealed at their instigation. Otherwise, had they not inquired, Hashem would have taught the laws of the Second Pesach-Offering to Moshe together with the laws of the First Pesach-Offering (Shemot 12) without their inquiry.

Similarly, the poor man that has no money should regret the loss of opportunity to perform the Mitzvah of charity to the poor. Jews in exile should regret the loss of the Mitzvot of Terumah and Maaser. Today we regret that “We are not able to go up and to do our obligations in Your chosen House (Bet Hamikdash) (Mussaf Yom Tob). In a certain sense, the failure to perform a Mitzvah is more regrettable than the sin of performing a transgression. “There is no peril as great as this peril” (Mesilat Yesharim 7), when the loss of a Mitzvah is imminent. By proper Repentance, a sin may be forgiven by Hashem, but a lost opportunity to perform a Mitzvah is “That which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is lacking cannot be counted in.” (Kohelet 1:15, Hagigah 9B) In Gehinnom the sinner is cleansed of the stains of his iniquites after a period of chastisement, and then he goes to enjoy the reward for his Mitzvot in Eternal happiness. Thus the punishment for some sins is limited, but the payment for Mitzvot is unlimited and eternal. Gehinnom can help clean sins, however it is not able to help make up for not seizing the lifelong opportunites to do Mitzvot.

Quoted from “A Journey Into Greatness” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

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