Parshas Chukas
2nd of Taamuz 5768
July 5, 2008
Daf Yomi: Sotah 42
Guest Rabbi:
Rabbi Reuven Garfinkel
Rabbi, Young Israel of Eltingville, NY
The Torah is not just a history book. Every event recorded in the Torah has specific lessons that G-d wants to teach us. Not only does the record of an event itself teach us important lessons but it also shows its relationship to the story or laws that proceed or follow it. This idea is best expressed by Rashi in this week’s Parsha. Rashi tells us that the Torah records Miriam’s death following the laws of Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) in order to teach us that the death of a righteous person is compared to a sacrificial offering. Just as the offering of a sacrifice atones for sins, so does the death of the righteous atone for the nation.
There are two perplexing points that need clarification. If the purpose is to compare Miriam’s death to a sacrifice of atonement, wouldn’t it be expected to be recorded after the Korban chattos (sin offering)? Even if we learn this lesson, what is the Torah’s intention in teaching it through Miriam more then any other righteous leader of the nation?
The Midrash tells us that the Parah Adumah is atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf. In the words of the Midrash: “Let the mother come and clean up her child.”
Obviously, the lesson learned through the Parah Adumah offsets the idea that was brought out through the Golden Calf. We all know that the most famous example in the Torah of a Chok (unexplainable mitzvah) is the Parah Adumah. With all our understanding of this mitzvah, we can never fully comprehend the reason for it. It might very well be that the mitzvah was given in order to strengthen our Emunah (belief). When we fulfill this mitzvah, we condition ourselves to serve G-d without needing to understand His reasons.
The Gemarah teaches us that the single most important mitzvah of the Torah is Emunah. Emunah does not mean to believe there is a G-d. Emunah comes after one believes in G-d. It is understood that G-d is involved in every aspect of our lives and His actions are for our benefit, even when it seems contrary to our logic. From the onset of the redemption, this idea was continuously hammered into the minds of the Jewish people. G-d constantly tested the Jews in this area. The sin of the Golden Calf was an example of this test. G-d wanted the people to realize that He is close to every person, even if Moshe would not be there to lead them. Even after the nation witnessed the splitting of the sea and Mattan Torah, it took the Jews 40 years until G-d felt the people understood the lesson of Emunah. The mitzvah of the Parah Adumah was given to clean up the mess. This mitzvah, more than any other, requires us to submit our logic to the will of G-d and serve Him without understanding. It is through this realization that the sin of the Golden Calf can be forgiven.
By specifically comparing the death of Miriam to the Parah Adumah and not to any other
Korban, the Torah wants to teach us an important lesson. Even though we do not understand why Miriam died, if G-d caused it then it must be for the best. The Midrash tells us that since the women of that generation had no part in the sins that took place in the desert, they all merited going into Eretz Yisrael. It raises the obvious question: why was Miriam left out? We do not find in the Torah any sin that she did to deserve death. The Torah answers this question by placing her death right after the Laws of Parah Adumah. Her death and the Parah Adumah are both an atonement for the nation because they compel the people to strengthen themselves in a primary principle of the Torah, that of Emunah.
Another important comparison between Miriam and the Parah Adumah is the necessity for contemplation. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, in his commentary, explains how being cognitively aware is a necessary requirement in the preparation of the Parah Adumah. One reason for this can be that, in order for one to appreciate the lesson of the Parah Adumah, one must be cognitive of it. This idea is also true when it pertains to the death of the righteous. The Midrash tells us that the nation failed to eulogize Miriam properly. Unfortunately, because of this, the effect of Miriam’s death was lost on the nation. We can now understand why they failed the test of drought right after her death. If the people had learned the necessary lesson from her death, they would have had the strength and Emunah necessary to overcome this test. It was this lack of Emunah that G-d wanted Moshe to rectify when He told him to speak to the rock. When Moshe hit the rock instead, G-d told him that since he failed to rectify the lack of Emunah in the nation by speaking to the rock, he would have to die. Based on the idea that we mentioned previously, it is very clear why Moshe was punished with death. Hashem told him, since he did not give over the lesson of Emunah through his action, he will have to give it over by the death of the righteous. By showing the people that you accept the will of Hashem even though you do not understand why you deserve death that will strengthen the weakened state of Emunah among the Bnai Yisrael. They will learn to serve Hashem without always understanding His reasons.
Shabbat Shalom.
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