VOLUME 111 NUMBER 6
Tamuz 6, 5784
July 12, 2024
PARSHAS CHUKAS
Candlelighting Time 8:10 PM

This week’s parsha introduces a novel concept that is really incredibly difficult to comprehend. In fact, it is so complex that even the great mind of King Solomon, the wisest of all men could not grasp this mitzvah. Our Sages tell us that only Moshe was able to fully understand the depth of this mitzvah. The mitzvah to burn the red heifer and sprinkle its ashes upon those who have come in contact with a corpse has many intricacies that are seemingly contradictory. Perhaps we need to explore why indeed Hashem gave such a mitzvah that is totally beyond the intellect of an entire people?

K’sav Sofer cites a Midrash describing the complaint that Korach lodged against Moshe in his attempt to topple his control of the nation. When the rebellion began Moshe ‘fell upon his face’ realizing the gravity of the uprising. He recognized that the mitzvah of the red heifer was a tremendous barrier to cross. After all, he could not explain to the multitudes the parameters of the mitzvah and therefore there was the possibility for disbelief. That’s when Korach seized the opportunity to spread doubt about Moshe’s conveyance of the mitzvos. After all, if Moshe could not successfully clarify this mitzvah it certainly would create a doubt in the nation’s mind about his mission as the true messenger of Hashem’s Torah. 

The renowned son of Harav Chaim Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav asked his father why the mitzvah to believe in Hashem is referred to as ‘emunah’ faith. After all, since we can observe the world and universe around us and perceive the complexity of the world, of course we are going to have absolute conviction and belief in Hashem. He responded that obviously that which we can intellectually realize is incumbent upon each and every person to accept as their reality. However, there are concepts and themes that stretch beyond our intellectual capabilities and that is where true conviction and faith is expected even though we can’t understand those perhaps abstract ideas and notions. And that was, so to speak, the Achilles heel of Moshe. Prevailing that situation despite the tragic movement of Korach solidified Moshe’s control of the nation as they witnessed the hand of Hashem delivering a sound and clear castigation of Korach and his entire group of mutineers. 

Now it is clear the significance of this mitzvah because it serves to strengthen our recognition of Hashem’s greatness when we are exposed to such a mitzvah which stretches our mental acuity and therefore amplifies our recognition of Hashem.

And this is precisely the reason the mitzvah of the red heifer atones for the sin of the golden calf. The people doubted Moshe’s promise that he would return and thereby essentially questioned the supremacy of Hashem whom Moshe represented as His agent, a tremendous rebellious attitude which contradicted the totality of their acceptance of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Their acceptance of the mitzvah of red heifer although they could not fully comprehend its wisdom reinstated their connection to Hashem once again. And we are also at a crossroads when we view the complete absurdity of the world’s assault against us, we must assert our faith and conviction in Hashem knowing that whatever we encounter it is only for our benefit and gain.

A BYTE FOR SHABBOS

Those who denigrated the manna were the remnants of the previous generation who were destined to die in the desert. They despised their sojourn there because of its repercussions. However, the new generation joyous of their future praised and appreciated the manna. It’s all about attitudes.

OHR HACHAIM HAKADOSH

GOOD SHABBOS

IT’S TRULY AMAZING HOW WHEN THE UN LIES ABOUT THE JEWISH NATION’S GENOCIDE AND STARVATION OF THE ‘GAZANS’ IS AN APOLOGY FORTHCOMING? PROBABLY NOT BUT THEN AGAIN IS THERE A NEED? AFTER ALL THEY SURELY KNEW THAT THEIR INFORMATION WAS FAULTY BUT WHY NOT SLANDER US WE DON’T REALLY COUNT. WE NEED TO AGAIN STENGTHNE OUR RESOLVE TO RELY ONLY ON HASHEM AND REALIZE IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS HE WILL BE OUR SALVATION AND ONLY HOPE.