Why do we become who we are? Is it choice? Is it because of the family and circumstances we were born into? Do we end up doing what we choose, or what G-d needs us to do to fulfill His plans for the world?

The Paschal Sacrifice was brought in the Bais HaMikdash via three shifts, by halakhic mandate. That is, the entire population of Jews who came to bring the sacrifice would be divided into three shifts in the courtyard of the Temple, presumably on a first come, first serve basis. The Gemara on amud beis comments that the last shift was known as the “Shift of the Lazy people”.

The Gemara raises a logical objection: Since It was halakhically mandated that the sacrifice be brought in three shifts, someone had to be in the third shift, so why blame those who “volunteered” to be in the last shift? The last shift was as necessary as the first! The Gemara responds with a profound existential truth about free-will and determinism:

The Gemara answers: Nonetheless, the members of the third group should have hurried themselves so that they would not be in the last group. As it was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: The world cannot function without a perfume merchant or without a tanner [bursi], who processes bad-smelling hides. While both of these occupations are necessary, fortunate is he whose profession is that of a perfume merchant, and woe to him whose profession is that of a tanner.

It seems that we do not have the luxury of hiding in our circumstances, and use communal needs as an excuse for our own moral laxity.  G-d assures us that though there is a need for Unsavory tasks and professions to be performed in this world, they'll be no shortage of those available to do that. 

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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