After the nation’s second Passover in the desert, there were some people who had not been able to bring the Pesach offering. They had been in contact with a corpse rendering them ritually impure and unable to offer the sacrifice. These individuals complained to Moshe why they should lose this great mitzvah, and they requested another opportunity to bring the offering.
Moshe brought their request before G-d, and G-d revealed the mitzvah of Pesach Sheni, the second Pesach. People who could not offer the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the first month would have a second chance to offer it on the fourteenth day of the second month.
According to Jewish law, a person who is exempt from a mitzvah has no obligation to make it up. However, these individuals had such a longing to fulfill the will of G-d, that they looked for new opportunities to be able to fulfill the mitzvah. G-d, as it were, could not turn down such a request and presented a new mitzvah through these individuals.
Although complaining to improve one’s spiritual lot may have merit, this is not so regarding complaints to improve one’s physical and material situation. This is also portrayed in our portion.
The people ate manna in the desert. This miraculous food fell at their door each morning, with exactly enough for each family member’s daily needs. The manna had a sweet taste, and could be used in all types of cooking and baking. Yet the people complained. They dreamed about the fish and vegetables they had eaten in Egypt, and they demanded meat. G-d had taken care of all the nation’s needs, and in an effortless and miraculous manner--yet the people were dissatisfied. G-d sent a plague that took the lives of these perpetual complainers.
Moshe felt the need to separate from his wife, to be able to be in a constant state of purity to communicate with G-d. Miriam, Moshe’s sister, spoke somewhat disparagingly about Moshe’s separation. G-d told Miriam that Moshe was different from any other person. He had achieved a level of prophecy that no other prophet did, or will ever, receive. Although no other prophet would have to follow Moshe’s example, his decision was deemed proper.
Miriam was punished with leprosy on account of maligning her brother. However, because of her righteousness the entire camp waited for her to recover before they traveled onward.
“The man Moshe was extremely humble, more than any other person…” (Num. 12:3)
Rav Aharon Leib Steinman once remarked: “How fortunate we are that the Torah instructs us to be humble. Imagine if we had to be arrogant; I would have to knock my head to find something to brag about! Humility is so much easier since I realize all my failings…”
Similarly, the Maggid of Zlatchev asked: If it is so important to be humble, why isn’t it counted as one of the 613 mitzvos? He answered that mitzvos are supposed to be performed to fulfill the will of G-d. One who is humble merely to fulfill G-d’s will is not truly humble!
Did You Know...
A groom is called to the Torah both the Shabbos before the wedding and the Shabbos after the wedding. The commentators explain that the groom is referred to as a king. Just as a king must write two Torah scrolls, one for his treasury and one to carry with him at all times, the groom is called to the Torah twice, to remind him to observe the Torah both at home and when away.
The Shabbos before the wedding is called the Aufruf, meaning “call up” in Yiddish. Nuts and sweets are traditionally showered upon the groom after he is called to the Torah, symbolizing the sweet and fruitful life the couple should enjoy together.
