The "Hora'at Sha'ah" (ruling for the hour), is a provision in Jewish Law that allows a prophet, a beit din(court) or even a community rabbi, to decide that in extraordinary situations, a law, even a Biblical law, could be set aside for a greater good. The Hora'at Sha'ah is a one time thing, setting no precedent for future actions. The most famous case is to be found in the story of Elijah. The people were unsure whether to worship G-d or the pagan deity, Baal. Elijah challenges the Priests of Baal to a contest. They will offer sacrifice to Baal, he will offer sacrifice to G-d. Neither would light fire under their altars, but ask for fire to come down from Heaven. The Baalites fail, Elijah succeeds.The people now shout "G-d is G-d!". This beautiful story raises two obvious questions. One, how was Elijah allowed to not only condone, but actually encourage, a pagan sacrifice? Secondly, how was he allowed to offer sacrifice outside the Temple, which then stood in Jerusalem, apparently violating the law of the central sanctuary? The rabbis explain that this was a Hora'at Sha'ah. The people were straying from G-d, and extraordinary measures were necessary.
The sixteen year rule of Ahaz, King of Judah, was marked by apostasy and persecution of everything holy. At his death, he was succeeded by his righteous son, Hezekiah. Hezekiah was faced with the need to bring the people back to G-d. It is not an exaggeration to say that Judaism could very well have ended then, if not for Hezekiah's determined actions. The Bible records that Ahaz was not accorded a Royal burial. The Talmud elaborates; Hezekiah had his fathers remains dragged by hoses on a bier of reeds. A firm statement needed to be made, even at the expense of dishonoring his own father. In the first year of his reign, Hezekiah re-opened the Temple, which had been closed by Ahaz. He knew that something must be done quickly to bring the people back to G-d. He decided that the right time for this would be Passover. But there was a problem. The Temple, the Priests, the people were not ready. It was too short notice! He needed more time! In II Chronicles 30, we read that he made a huge Passover...in the Second Month! The Torah commands that Passover be in the First Month (Nissan). Here there are two interpretations. One is that he added an additional month (as we do on a leap year) in order to make Passover come out later and give him more time. Since this was done not following the usual rules of leap year, it SEEMED like the Second Month. However, some interpret differently. There is a provision in the Torah that one who was unclean or on a journey could bring the Passover sacrifice on the same date in the following month. This is called Pesach Sheni (the Second Passover). However, this was only for individuals; not the community. According to this view (which appears to be the literal understanding of the text) Hezekiah made a hora'at sha'ah, instituting FOR THAT YEAR that everyone should observe Pesach Sheni. The Bible even notes that it was "not as written"; he had not abided by the usual rules. Scripture tells us that Hezekiah asked G-d to "heal" (forgive) the people who were not properly purified for this ceremony. G-d did! Many scoffed at Hezekiah's idea, but most celebrated as had not been done for many years. The people had come back to G-d! He probably saved Judaism.
Pesach Shen is this coming Sunday. Many people eat a piece of matzah as a reminder. But let us also remember the good King Hezekiah, whose foresight and bravery kept us as the people of G-d. Let us be determined to remain that way!