Chukat (ordinance)
Numbers 19:1 - 22:1

     Have you ever read something in the Bible that just does not seem to make sense?  In this week’s Torah portion we have the law of the “ashes of the red heifer”. In numbers 19 we read that an unclean person must be sprinkled with a mixture of water and the ashes of a red cow n order to be clean.  According to the Sages of Israel, this is an example of a command that is beyond our capacity to understand. The Rabbis tell us that we keep the Word of God whether we understand the commands or not.  In Judaism there is the acceptance of the fact that some parts of the Torah are a mystery and we do not have to unravel the mystery to keep His Word. In one source commenting on this passage, it says that one should not try to explain this precept because God gave us His best and most secret commands in the form of a “divine kiss”. Since we are not the creator but rather the created, we accept whatever God calls us to do or be - even though we do not have a full understanding. What we do understand is that it is for the best.  A well known Rabbi commenting on this passage tells the story  of the request by Secretary of War, Henry Stimson for an appropriation of 2 billion dollars for “scientific research” during the Second World War.  When privately questioned about this request, Stimson confided that it was for research on splitting the atom.  His questioner, Sen. Kenneth McKellar, responded by telling Stimson that we need guns, planes and ammunition - and that there is no time or money for fooling around with splitting atoms! As we all know, the exercise of fooling around  with atoms turned out to be a very powerful exercise! On the surface this request seemed like foolishness, but its real meaning was very important.

     Like Senator McKellar, the generation in the wilderness thought they knew it all. The spies returned with an understanding that they could not conquer the land. Korach had an understanding that he should be the prince of the tribe of Levi.  It was to this generation that God gave a command that seemed to make no sense at all. Who were they and who are we to question the commands, actions and promises of God? some situations in the Bible as well in our own lives are mysterious. We cannot understand them. They make no sense. Let us rest assured that just as the request of 2 billion dollars did not seem to make sense but ultimately was very understandable, so the ashes of a red heifer are very important to God. God works in our own lives in ways that we “know-it-alls” just cannot figure out. If you are experiencing some confusion in the activities of your life today, do as the Psalmist suggests, “be still and know that I am God”.  God sent the Messiah to atone for our sins and give us a new relationship with God. In Him we have intimacy and understanding.  No matter what happens, we know that in Him  there is purpose in everything.  As it says in Proverbs 3:5-6

    Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Shabbat Shalom!