Parashat Chukat - Building Relationships

Contents

This week’s Parasha is Parashat Chukat. The Parasha delves into one of the laws that we have a difficult time understanding the Red Heifer. Chukat

Parasha In A Nutshell

Laws of the Red Heifer
Death of Miriam and Aharon
Moses hits the rock
The war against the kings Sichon and Og

Parashat Chukat moves the narrative forward by 38 years. Last week we discussed the rebellion of Korah and now without even realizing it, we find ourselves in the 40th year of wandering in the desert.

Parashat Chukat Silence – Why?

parashat chukat

The gap between the 2nd year and the 40th year is filled with silence. The Torah does not mention any event that took place during that period. So what was happening?

The generation that left Egypt was to die in the desert and the new generation was to rise that would enter the Promised Land. The silence is highlighted by the laws of the Red Heifer. The people were dealing with death and the laws about the Red Heifer placed at this point of the Torah highlights what was happening at that time. The law states, that a person who came into contact with the dead and now wishes to go to the sanctuary, must undergo a process of purification by having the ashes of a purely red cow sprinkled upon them.

What Is The Meaning Of The Red Heifer?

To the modern ear, this sounds so strange. What is the reason for this ritual? King Solomon the wisest of all men reportedly said. “I have delved into this law. It remained far from me.” If King Solomon could not understand the reasoning behind it can we?”

Yet the sages over the centuries have attempted to offer a reason behind this ritual ceremony.

Rashi (1040-1105) provides a fascinating attempt to explain the ritual. According to the Midrash, when the Jews stood at Mount Sinai the sin of Adam was annulled. Adam was created to live forever. However, because of the sin of eating from the Tree of Knowledge death was decreed. When the Jewish people stood at Mount Sinai and committed themselves to the Torah and to Hashem, the decree was canceled. But it did not last long. The Jewish people would sin by making and worshiping the Golden Calf. Once again death entered the world. Says the Midrash, “Let the mother clean up the child’s mess.”

Thus the purpose of the ritual was to atone for the Golden Calf, which had brought death into the world again and once again drove a wedge between man and Hashem.

The process of purification was long. One had to sprinkle the ashes twice, on the 3rd and the 7th day and after the process was complete one was to bring a sacrifice to Hashem. The details of this ritual are technical and beyond the scope of this post. Although the laws relate to a specific area of Jewish ritual law, we can learn some important lessons about repentance and return and about life, in general.

Lessons Learned From Parashat Chukat

chukat dvar torah

Even when we mess up that does not have to be the end of the relationship.
The process of rebuilding the relationship takes time. We often assume that “a sorry” fixes the problem. Realize that the journey back can take longer than you think. But if you believe it is important you will persist.
The Red Heifer is extremely rare. There have not been many in history. Remember, that rebuilding the relationship will require at times, the need to prove that you are serious about restoring it.
The process required humility on the part of the one undergoing the process of purification. To rebuild the broken relationship too, will require humility on your part.
The sin of the Golden Calf was caused by a panicked people, who used their wealth to fashion an idol that they served with great joy. The entire ritual of purification atoned and removed each of these causes. To rebuild the relationship one needs to delve into the source of the problem and uproot it.