Parshas Chukas 5765

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

The Parah Adumah, or Red Heifer, was used in the purification process of the person who had come in contact with a human corpse. When a person would become spiritually defiled in this way, he was not allowed to partake of any sacrifice or even enter the Temple area, until he was purified.

The Red Heifer had very specific requirements. It had to be totally red-haired. Even two black hairs would disqualify it from being used. It could not have any blemishes on it, nor could it ever have carried anything on its back.

The cow was slaughtered and its flesh burnt. The ashes were then mixed with cedarwood, a low-growing plant, crimson thread, and spring water. This mixture was sprinkled on the impure person on the third and seventh day of the purification. He would then immerse in the mikveh, and become purified.

There was something else quite unique about the Red Heifer. Although it was used to purify those who were impure, the kohanim, or priests, who were involved in its preparation, themselves became defiled. The Torah refers to Parah Adumah as the classic example of a chok, a law that seems to make no sense. How could something that purifies one person, contaminate another? Yet, the Jew must be willing to accept all of G-d’s commandments, whether he understands their rationale or not. Ultimately, it is the acceptance of the apparently irrational mitzvos that show a person’s true commitment to G-d.

In the fortieth year of the Jews' trek through the desert, Miriam and Ahron died. The Jews had drunk from a miraculous well in the desert throughout the forty years. This well had been in the merit of Miriam, and when she died the well dried up. Only after the people complained and Moshe hit the rock did the water return, in Moshe’s merit. Although the people were deserving of all their needs being met, Moshe showed a bit of impatience at their constant complaints. As punishment he was forbidden to enter the Promised Land. The Jewish leader must be able to master total control over his nature under all circumstances.

Shortly afterwards, Ahron died. The Cloud of Glory that protected the Jews throughout the past forty years, had come in Ahron’s merit, and disappeared with his death. Eventually, it too returned in Moshe’s merit.

People often do not appreciate the value of the righteous. They may be accused of being preoccupied with their own deeds, and not contributing much to society. This is a big mistake, and is sometimes only realized after the righteous have passed on and their loss is truly felt in many, previously unknown, ways.

“All the houses of Israel mourned Ahron for thirty days…” (Num.20:29)

The Talmud explains that Ahron was greatly involved in restoring domestic peace among families.

Great rabbis throughout time have expended tremendous efforts and genius to restore marital peace. A husband once came to the Ponovezher Rav demanding a divorce, as his wife could not keep a neat house. The Rav told him he would think about the situation and he should return the next day. Meanwhile, the Rav conferred with his own wife and had her make a mess of their house, leaving laundry strewn every which way and dirty dishes piled in the sink. When the man returned the Rav apologized, “I’m sorry about the appearance of my house. My wife is also not that orderly, but I love her just the same for her other qualities.”

The husband then realized that if a prestigious man such as the Rav could overlook his wife’s flaws, so could he, and the strife was resolved.

Did You Know...

The ritual impurity of a corpse pervades the entire building where it is lying. A kohain may not allow himself to become ritually impure, and therefore he may not enter a funeral home or a museum where mummies or other human remains are present.

It is questionable whether a kohain may visit someone in a hospital, since the morgue is often under the same roof. (The authorities do permit a kohain to be admitted to a hospital, even for a non-life threatening condition).

Whether a kohain may travel in an airplane carrying a corpse depends on the type of box carrying the corpse. Intentionally flying over a cemetery also poses a problem, as the impurity rises to the sky.