Shemini - Parah

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B”H

Shemini- Parah

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Shalom and Bracha!

This Shabbat we read from two Torah scrolls. In the first scroll we read the weekly portion of Shemini and in the second a special portion, Parshat Parah. The portion of Shemini discusses the eighth day of the dedication of the Temple, when Hashem finally revealed His divine presence. Thereafter, the Torah describes the Kosher laws. This demonstrates how central Kashrut is in becoming close to Hashem and bringing His presence and blessings into our homes and our lives.

For the Maftir, a special portion, Parshat Parah, is read. Parshat Parah describes the Mitzvah of the Parah Adumah, the red calf, which was a necessary purification to enter the Temple in Yerushalayim and partake in the offerings. Since the entire Jewish people participated in the Passover offering, concerning which we will read next week, this week we read about the necessary preparation thereto. All of the Mitzvot connected to the Temple, in addition to their practical relevance in the time that the Temple stood, have teachings and meanings in our daily lives. Parshat Parah, in addition to the general reminder that Pesach is approaching, and that we must prepare our spirits and our deeds for the rebirth of the Jewish people that occurs on Pesach, has a very specific teaching as to the necessary prerequisite to the service of Pesach.

Whoever came into contact with a dead body was forbidden to enter the Temple until he was sprinkled with the ashes of the red heifer mixed with fresh well water. The ashes were prepared in a very elaborate ceremony and kept for future generations. This ceremony has been performed nine times and the final time will be in the time of Moshiach.

The Mitzvah of the red heifer presents certain paradoxes. Unlike all offerings in the Temple, the red heifer was slaughtered outside of the Temple, and outside of the walls of Yerushalayim. However, the Kohen had to constantly face and see not only the Temple, but also the inner sanctuary. This was so imperative that the Temple architecture was altered in order to make it possible to see the inner sanctuary from the Mount of Olives. Whoever was involved in the preparation the red heifer became ritually impure, and had to go to the Mikveh and wait until the next day before reentering the Temple. The ashes, however, were retained at a degree of sanctity that surpassed even that of the sacrifices.

Coming into contact with death represents straying from the path of Torah. The Torah is the tree of life and separation from the Torah cuts us from our bond to true life. When we see a fellow Jew who is seperated from his heritage, the Torah tells us that it is our duty to help him. The red heifer was prepared outside of the Temple to teach us that we must be ready to make personal sacrifices and leave our own ‘sanctuary’ in order to ‘purify’ another. However, we must constantly face the inner sanctuary; we cannot veer from the teachings of Torah and water them down. We must present pure undiluted Judaism.

As aforementioned, the Parah is the prerequisite for Pesach. The birth of the Jewish people, their survival, and final redemption all depend upon self sacrifice for Jewish continuity.

The tenth Parah Adumah will be brought by Moshiach. May he be speedily revealed!!

Shabbat Shalom,
 
Rabbi Biggs

Dedicated in memory of Avraham Ben Leah Hacohen Cohen.

May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life with Hashem

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