By Rabbi Dovid Markel
This week, in addition to reading the regular Torah portion, the purification process for an individual who has come in contact with the dead is read as well.
The Medrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Bamidbar 759) states, that when Moshe heard from G-d that an individual becomes impure through a dead body, his faced became darkened and he cried out, “How can such an individual become pure?” G-d responded, that it is through the process of the red heifer.
Chassidus explains, that the reason Moshe was so troubled over the impurity of death was primarily concerning the spiritual concept of death in one’s service of G-d.
The concept of impurity in one’s service to G-d is expressive of a detachment from holiness. When a person becomes separated from holiness, this creates a vacuum in themselves, which is replaced by negativity and impurity. The greater degree of separation from holiness, the greater degree of impurity.
Generally, the individual is not completely separated from G-d, and it is this connection that serves to rekindle his connection with the Almighty. However, when a person is spiritually dead and his connection to G-d is severed, it seems impossible to once again become pure.
The red heifer-a commandment that transcends logic- conveys that G-d’s connection with the Jewish people is undefinable. No matter what, a Jew retains the ability to reconnect with G-d, because their connection with one another cannot be defined in the fulfillment of G-d’s will.
The lesson in our lives is obvious. G-d’s relationship to the Jewish people, a bond that surpasses our actions, is itself the greatest inspiration to remain true to this essential identity and express this relationship outwardly as well.
May this connection be ultimately expressed with the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our times!
