Brush With Death – Parshas Chukas 5773
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- Five Bright Lights – Parshas Bereishis 5773
- Miraculous Safe-haven – Parshas Noach 5773
- Share it With the World – Parshas Lech Lecha 5773
- Shining Example – Parshas Vayeira 5773
- A Model Home – Parshas Chayei Sarah 5773
- Two Divergent Paths – Parshas Toldos 5773
- Our Founding Fathers – Parshas Vayeitzei 5773
- Best of Both Worlds – Parshas Vayishlach 5773
- Dream Manipulation – Parshas Vayeishev 5773
- Who is Responsible? – Parshas Mikeitz 5773
- Brotherly Love – Parshas Vayigash 5773
- True Might – Parshas Vayechi 5773
- Dangerous Inspiration – Parshas Shemos 5773
- Four Cups Four Stages – Parshas Va’eira 5773
- Hard Earned Reward – Parshas Bo 5773
- Parshas Beshalach 5773 – Foundations of Survival
- Balanced Life – Parshas Yisro 5773
- A Complete Number – Parshas Terumah 5773
- Precious Stones – Parshas Tetzaveh 5773
- Large and Small – Parshas Ki Sisa 5773
- Miniature World – Parshas Vayakhel Pekudei 5773
- Humble Sacrifice – Parshas Vayikra 5773
- Diagnosing Sin – Parshas Tazria Metzorah 5773
- Honoring Elders – Parshas Acharei Mos- Kedoshim 5773
- Unification – Parshas Emor 5773
- Reward – Parshas Behar/ Bechukosai 5773
- Unique Place – Parshas Bamidbar 5773
- Real Blessing – Parshas Nasso 5773
- An Honor to Serve You – Parshas Beha’aloscha 5773
- Family Talents – Parshas Shelach 5773
- Feet on the Ground – Parshas Korach 5773
- Brush With Death – Parshas Chukas 5773
This week’s parsha lays out the laws of the purification process through the parah adumah, red heifer. On who contracted tumah, ritual impurity, through touching a dead body had to be purified via a specific process of heifer ash water being sprinkled on him. There is an ancient custom regarding washing one’s hands when coming out of a cemetery or when having contact with a Jewish corpse. What is this all about?
The Source
Rabbeiunu Bechaya states that there are two justifications for the above-mentioned custom of washing one’s hands after contact with a corpse. One is based on our parsha and hints to the ancient law of being sprinkled with heifer ash water after exposure to death’s ritual impurity. The washing of the hands hints to this ritual process. The other source is based on a verse which describes the coming of the Messiah. “I will purify them with pure waters (Yechezkel 36:5)” which refers to the time of the Resurrection of the Dead. He concludes that this also explains the custom of why people pull out grass before leaving, as it signifies that just as grass may dry out, but it regenerates with watering, so too, each person will return via the Resurrection (see Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 376:4). What does this all mean?
Another Source
In discussing this topic in Kad HaKemach (Ahava) Rabbeinu Bechaya adds clarification stating that the custom to wash one’s hands stems from an enactment from the Geonic time period. Ramban (Toras Adam, Vol II, p.155) quotes one Geon who wrote, “this is not an obligation, it may be a custom.”
Explanation
The things that we come into contact with can cause great stress and trauma. One should not erroneously think that after observing something emotionally or physically disturbing that he is not affected. We are all explorers who constantly experience the world and people around us. The Torah recognizes that one who was exposed to a dead body was deeply shaken by the experience. This very well may be the reason why the laws of purity were decreed. Hashem gave the person a few days of introspection and self-reflection to come to grips with the exposure.
This is also the reason that our custom is to evoke hints to the Resurrection to show us the proper perspective on death. The Resurrection puts life in the proper framework. We are here to accomplish an objective and will be rewarded by Hashem for every act. Death is a painful separation, but it is only temporary.
Parshas Parah is read before Pesach time in addition to its regular reading in the parsha order. The lesson then is about purity and the importance of purifying oneself before the holidays. It also stands as a lesson about the importance of life and about our Jewish faith.
Categories: Parshas Chukas
