by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com It is a question that a number of people are asking right now.  When do we commemorate Pesach Sheini by eating Matzah?  Do we do it on the night of the 14th, because that is Pesach Sheini?  Do we do it at Chatzos of the 14th – because that is when the Korban Pesach was brought?  Or do we do it on the night of the fifteenth – which is when it was eaten along with the Matzah? And then there are other possibilities too.  Should we do it during all three?  It should also be noted that the Chazon ish zt”l held that it should not be done at all, because it is adding on to the Torah (See Orchos Rabbeinu Vol. II p. 97) ANSWER It seems that there are a number of customs.  Rav Shreya Dublitzky eats it on the night of the fifteenth (HaMevaser HaTorani, Parshas Emor 5772 p. 3)  Rav Yisroel Dovid Harfenes, one of the leading Poskim in Williamsburg recommends doing it both on the 14th after Chatzos and in the evening of the 15th (See Teshuvos Mekadaish Yisroel Sfiras HaOmer #93).  If it is difficult for him to wash twice – then he should do it right before shkiya on the 14th.  I am informed that the Lubavitcher Rebbe said to do it all three times. PLEASE HELP A WONDERFUL BAALEI TESHUVAH COUPLE GET MARRIED. WHATEVER YOU CAN GIVE WILL HELP. PRUTI PRUTI MITZTAREF. https://thechesedfund.com/zechornilah/weddingoftwobaaleiteshuva INTERNAL MESSAGE And while we contemplate this question, there is an internal message of Pesach Sheni – that we should not miss. It is a message brought out by the Gerrer Rebbe – the author of the Chidushei HaRim. Rav Yitzchok Meir Alter (1799-1866) was the very first Gerrer Rebbe. A TIKKUN FOR THOSE B’DERECH RECHOKAH He writes that this particular day, Pesach Sheni, is a tikun for those who are perceived as beyond the pale – “B’derech Rechokah” – in his words. They are outside the scope of assistance. To them, to those who could not develop the closeness and Dveikus to Hashem that was emblematic of Pesach – is this second chance. The Psukim in Bahaaloscha tell us: There were men who were impure of the dead, and therefore, could not make the Pesach Korban on that day. They approached Moshe and Aharon on that day. Those men said to him, “We are impure [because of contact] with a dead person; [but] why should we be excluded so as not to bring the offering of Hashemin its appointed time, with all the children of Israel? Moshe said to them, “Imdu – Wait, and I will hear what Hashem instructs concerning you.” A NEW MEANING FOR IMDU The Chidushei HaRim writes that Imdu does not mean wait – but rather it means imdu in Teshuvah and Tefillah. It is not too late, just stand and pursue these two Avodahs and Hashem will help you along the way. The Chidushei HaRim writes that this is the day for the off-the-derech kids that are now in every single one of our communities. Each community among us, whether it be chassidisha, litvisha, or modern orthodox, has children that have left the fold. Look around. They are hanging out on the street corners, at Lakewood’s […]

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