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 Torah Thoughts
Parshat Parah
On the Shabbat after Purim, two Torah
scrolls are taken out for the Torah reading. The weekly portion is read from
the first. A special section is read from the second- the Maftir-
the portion dealing with the laws of the “Red Cow”, the “Parah
Adumah”. This was part of the process of
purification from ritual defilement resulting from contact with a corpse.
This portion is read before the advent of the month of
Nissan. During that month, the entire Jewish People participated in the
Passover sacrifice. They had to be in a state of ritual purity. This Torah
reading reminded the people that they had to start preparing spiritually for
Pesach. Although we presently do not have the Temple or bring the Passover sacrifice, we
read this portion to commemorate the days of yore, and to remind ourselves
that Passover is approaching. By reading this portion, it is as if we purify
ourselves ritually.
Maftir
Numbers 19:1-22
This purification regime was given following the
incident of the golden calf (mentioned in our weekly Torah portion). Idolatry
defiles, just as death does. The “Red Cow” cleanses the “filth” of the golden
calf. Red represents sin and the cow, mother of the calf, represents the
spiritual blemish which “gave birth” to the sin of idolatry. G-d presented us
with a means of purification so that we may remain in His presence.
The process of purification is described as a “chok”, an inscrutable decree of the King. The
ashes of the Red Cow contaminate those who prepare it and purify those who
use it in the end. The wisest of all men, King Solomon declared that he
attained understanding of all the Torah, except for the Red Cow.
The Jewish people are purified by the ashes of the Red
Cow since it demonstrates their humble trust in G-d. Our Sages explain that
other nations respect laws they understand, but denigrate those that are
beyond their comprehension. The Jewish People recognize that there is a
reality beyond the physical world. Beside the laws of physics, there is a
spiritual system. The physical world really masks the Divine. For those who
attach themselves solely to the physical, death has a finality which brings
in its wake separation and despair. The ashes of the Red Cow remind a Jew
that death is merely a physical parting, but connection to the spirit and to
G-d is eternal and joyous. This recognition leads to purity and proximity to
G-d.
Haftara
Ezekiel 36:16-38
In his prophecy, Ezekiel characterizes the sinful
behavior of Israel
as “contaminating the land” with impurity. Sinfulness is compared with ritual
impurity that requires a cleansing process. As a result of their impurity,
the people are exiled from the Holy Land
that does not tolerate impurity. Exile among the nations is a desecration of
G-d’s name, as the people of Israel are seen as G-d’s “representatives.” For the sake of His name, G-d will
remove the Jewish People from exile and return them to their Land. He will
“sprinkle pure water” on them and they will be
purified. (This is the conceptual parallel to our Maftir,
described above.)
As a result of this purification process, the people
will be inspired to return to serving G-d. Consequently, the cities will be
repopulated, the ruins will be rebuilt and the land will be farmed. Passersby
will remark, “This land that was desolate has become a Garden of Eden…”
May the return of the Jewish People to their Land, and
the flourishing of the deserted wasteland that has taken place over the last
century, signify the purification of the Jewish People and the dawn of the
Redemption.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Baruch Price
Technical
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