Parshas Chukas; In Memory of Mrs. Zlata Geisinsky

B"H

Sholom Raichik; Gaithersburg, Maryland

 

This week's Parsha, Chukas begins with the laws of the Red Heifer and the purification of a person who came into contact with a corpse. After the first 22 verses, the Torah returns to the narrative of the Jewish people in the desert, with the story of the passing of Miriam.

 

If you look at the book of Bamidbar/Numbers, you can neatly divide it into two sections. The first 5 portions discuss the story of the Jewish people in the desert a year after they left Egypt. It goes from the beginning of Nissan of Year Two, when the Mishkan/Tabernacle was dedicated. It continues with the departure from Sinai, the travels through the desert until the tragic story of the Spies when it is decreed that the adult generation that left Egypt will not enter the Land of Israel and instead will wander the desert for a total of 40 years. After they pass on, the next generation will enter the land.

 

The Torah does not discuss what happened in those middle 37 years and 8 months that it took for the older generation to pass. Instead in this week's Parsha, the 6^th portion, the Torah pivots and begins discussing Year 40 when Miriam passes and the Jewish people prepare to enter the Land. However before discussing Year 40, the Torah tells us the laws of the Red Heifer.

 

Our Sages tell us that the laws of the Red Heifer were actually given shortly after the Jewish people left Egypt. The first Red Heifer was offered in Year Two, on Nissan 2, the day after the Tabernacle was dedicated. So on a chronological basis, these laws should have been stated long before this Parsha.

 

It seems that the Torah is using the Laws of the Red Heifer as a buffer between the stories of the first 16 months in the desert, and the final 12 months. Why?

 

The Torah refers to the Laws of the Red Heifer as Chukas HaTorah, the Statutes of the Torah. The word Chukah refers to the laws which we do not understand; i.e. the prohibition of mixing wool and linen together, the laws of Kosher etc. There are other places where the Torah uses the word Chukah. But here the Torah does not say Chukas HaParah, the Statutes of the Red Heifer. The Torah say Chukas HaTorah, the Statutes of the whole Torah. The concept of the Red Heifer reflects on the ultimate idea of a Statute, a law which we cannot understand. Although we do not understand, we observe and follow G-d's commandments.

 

The Red Heifer is about a person who passed away, and another person became defiled by coming in contact with the corpse. We use the Red Heifer to purify the defiled person. These laws are the ultimate Statute, the laws which we do not understand. These laws are the buffer between the first part of the desert and the second.

 

The Jewish people had left the Land of Egypt with the goal of entering the Promised Land, the Land of Israel. Instead tragedy strikes and the adult generation will now pass on in the desert. G-d instructs the next generation that they will be the ones to carry forward and enter the Land.

 

From where does this generation get its strength to carry on after having just witnessed how the older generation, so full of hope and energy, is no longer with them. The Torah tells us, These are the Statutes of the Torah.

 

A person has passed, when a most beautiful life awaited them in their coming years. We ask, Why? G-d, why did this happen? Ultimately we have no answer. ZOS CHUKAS HATORAH. These are the ultimate statutes of the Torah. We do not understand. We cannot understand. We are in total shock.

 

But just as G-d gives us the Red Heifer telling us, You Cannot Understand, G-d also give us the Red Heifer to be able to purify ourselves and continue with Life. The immediate next part tells us of the next generation moving forward with getting ready to enter into the land.

 

From where does the next generation get the strength and confidence to go on with the hope that the previous generation had. ZOS CHUKAS HATORAH G-d is with us and is holding our hand and supporting as we move on to complete the dream.

 

In memory of Mrs. Zlata Geisinsky; Chabad Shlucha of Bethesda, MD

A beautiful person and true friend to all who was abruptly taken from us at the young age of 49.

She passed on Sunday of Parshas Chukas, when we read the portion of the Red Heifer.

 

May G-d bless and give strength to her husband, Rabbi Bentzion Geisinsky and their children, grandchildren, her mother, brothers, sisters and families.