They are both brought before the Kohen Gadol who then draws lots; one says 'לה while the other says לעזאזל ; one was sacrificed; the other taken to a desolate land & thrown off the cliff. This lottery decides their fate; from then on their paths become separate: the one that said 'לה is taken out, sacrificed in purity & holiness, with its blood sprinkled in the holiest place between the poles of the Aron & afterwards on the golden mizbe’ach while the other one is יעמד חי , remains alive.
Rav Samson Rafael Hirsch offers a fascinating insight into this mitzvah. Imagine that these goats could think: the one who remained alive would be ecstatic that he remained alive; he would be full of pride saying to the other one, look at the difference between me & you; you might be going to a holy place but you’re giving up your life whereas I remain alive. Even as he's walked out of the Bais Hamikdash & taken to the outskirts of town, he's still gloating that he managed to get out, free to roam. As they lead him up the mountain, he can't believe his good luck that he got out while his friend was slaughtered. Then he stands at the top of the mountain looking down, thinking again how much better off he is than his friend who was slaughtered.
It’s understood that if the goat would know why he was brought up the mountain in the wilderness & what would be happening to him in a few short moments, he would not be having these thoughts, for in the end, he's pushed off the cliff & falls apart limb by limb.
Rav Hirsch continues that this is our power of choice; there are two roads open before every person; one of Torah & Mitzvos which, if one chooses, will encompass him & bring him closer to Hashem. Then there's the other path which involves running after the pleasures of the world & staying far away from Mitzvos. Although the ones who choose the first path, at times, seem as they're giving up pleasures, they know that they have the true pleasure in this world & the next while the ones who throw it all away running after pleasure, know that, in the end, their lot will be bitter.
The lesson of the two goats is that even though we all start out the same, we have to make the right choices that will lead us in the right direction. As exemplified by the following story.
A wealthy man once visited his childhood friend, Reb Elchanan Wasserman, and was appalled at his poverty. He exclaimed Elchanan! you are much smarter than I am. Had you become a lawyer, you would be a wealthy man today. Reb Elchanan did not respond. They spent several hours together enjoying each other’s company. When it came time for the wealthy man to leave, Reb Elchanan walked him to the train. At the station were two trains: one a luxurious, modern one while the other was old and rickety. When the wealthy man headed toward the rickety one, Reb Elchanan stopped him.
Why would you go on that old rickety train when there is a luxurious one right next to it? His friend turned to him & said but I'm going in the other direction! Reb Elchanan said, “isn't it better to travel in a luxurious train then the old rickety one?” Exasperated, his friend said, " Elchanan, you’re talking nonsense; what good is a luxury train if it’s going in the wrong direction? Reb Elchanan replied, “listen to yourself; when you want to arrive at a specific destination, it’s not the comfort of the vehicle rather the direction that matters. You asked me why I didn't become a lawyer. Of course that would have given me a more comfortable ride but that's not my goal. What's the comfort worth if it doesn't get me to where I'm heading?
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