This week’s Parshah is Chukat, as in the verse (Numbers 19:2), “This is the Chukat (Law) of the Torah…”.
The parshah begins by speaking of the path of purification necessary for a person who has become defiled and impure. These are the laws relating to the Red Heifer. The Midrash teaches that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai’s students asked him how these actions can purify a person. Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai replied, “Who said that the people became impure? The same Torah that declares impurity can declare purity!”
The Midrash is teaching that we cannot fathom the thoughts of HaShem. Why is there impurity? How do the laws and deeds associated with the Red Heifer bring purity? These Torah thoughts come directly from HaShem, and only HE can explain why.
To bring order to our lives and to strive to attain purity, we must learn to turn to the Torah’s dictums. Following these dictums with faith brings us closer to HaShem and imbues our lives with His wisdom and vitality. Veering from that path can lead to many problems, as we see later on with the people’s loss of faith and their rejection of the manna. (So too, we can see in the previous parshahs about Korach and the spies.)
There is a Midrash which states, “What difference is there to HaShem whether we slaughter an animal by the throat or by the nape of the neck?” The Midrash answers that there is absolutely no difference to HaShem, but the difference lies with us. These are HaShem’s commandments: following them leads to a future and eternal life, disobeying them leads to a futile life after which there is nothing.
We might not understand everything. We probably won’t. But just a furtive glance at the way life is tells us that our temporary lives must have a purpose. It can’t be that we just live to work, savor passing enjoyments and endure the challenges and difficulties that present themselves to us. There has to be more. This week’s Torah lesson is to strengthen our faith and act simply, by following the directives as commanded.
This will lead us to the remainder of the parshah, which speaks of miraculous living: water in the desert, defeating Amalek, and the defeat of Sichon and Og, those warriors that stood between the Jews and their ascent into the Holy Land. All can be seen and experienced through our faith in HaShem.
Have a great Shabbos!
