There are events in life that prompt us to search for the easiest way out of our responsibilities. Without generalizing, I sense there are many youngsters who feel "if I can get way with it ,why not", and often they then take the  easiest way out. Often I think  that this attitude is filtered down from the adults whom they associate with and the attitude of "let me see if I can get away with it" becomes part of their behavioral pattern in life.

   I remember a story that, in its comical form, presents a serious fault in our agenda of life;

   Professor  Bunk at Duke University taught Chemistry. There were two students in his class who were doing well in all there exams. These two students were so confident in taking the final that they decided to go away for a vacation prior to the test date and party with their friends. They had a great time and became intoxicated and with their hangovers they overslept all day Sunday and didnt make it back in time to take the Chemistry exam on Monday. 

  They explained to Professor Bunk that they arrived home too late to take the exam as they had a flat tire.  They asked the Professor if they could they take a make up exam the next day.  Reluctantly, the Professor agreed. 

  Upon arrival, the students were put into two different classrooms .They each looked at the first question which was something simple worth 10 points. They thought that this exam is going to be a breeze and answered that problem very easily. They turned the page to the next question which they were totally, unprepared for, it read

"FOR 90 POINTS WHICH TIRE WAS FLAT?"

   The truth eventually in life always wins out.

   However there is more to this story as we prepare this week  to celebrate Pesach Sheni , when the Torah Statesj,

ויהי אנשים .....ולא יכלו לעשות הפסח ביום ההוא  "There were certain people who were not able to bring the Korban Pesach at the prescribed time and asked Moshe for a ''make up time' - 'a second chance'. In there appeal to Moshe for this unique request they used an interesting logic,     למה נגרע.  "Why should we be denied the opportunity to fulfill a  Mitzvah ,why should we be penalized?"

   Moshe answered  "But you are exempt".  Their reply was "No, we do not want to be exempt, we want the opportunity to fulfill this very important Mitzvah." They didn't want away out even if they were deemed worthy for the exemption .

   This is such a powerful lesson for life. We need to stop looking for excuses in life -whether it be  in performing  our duties as a Jew, in our relationships as husband/wife, as children to our parents and grandparents or as friends.  We need to say למה נגרע, we want to fulfill our obligations in life and we will not settle for any exemptions.

    This idea is an index to every person's priorities and values. We must fervently respond, למה נגרע.

    We want to live up to our responsibilities and we will not look for ways out.

    When the Jewish people cried out ,למה נגרע, it evidenced their sincerity and commitment to our Torah way of life and was a true indicator to their entire Hashgafah to Yahadut.

     The tragedy of life are those missed opportunities for ourselves, for our families, for Klall Yisrael , for Eretz Yisrael and for mankind in general.

    In this same Torah exemption , it speaks of people being דרך רחוקה, of being geographically distant.  From my understanding, I sense, it also means being distant in our feelings from Judaism, distant within our families and distant in our love for others. We are making excuses for our lack of fulfillment in what we are responsible for.

     This is our modern day Pesach Shene lesson. It is a time to perform. Let us stop making excuses for our indifference  and let us stand up and say

למה נגרע, no more exemptions, no more flat tire excuses.

     These are times when greater commitments to Yiddishkeit, to our families and to ourselves are necessary to ensure that our lives are truly meaningful. Our Mantra must be למה נגרע, and  with  this attitude we will surely see the ביאת גואל in our time.