Parashat Chukat: Beyond Understanding
- Yudit Rosenbaum
- Jul 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Lilui Nishmas HaRav Ezriel ben Yisrael Meir, z”l – my beloved grandfather, a devoted leader and martyr of his kehillah in Hungary, who chose to remain with his community until his final moments in Auschwitz. May his neshamah have an aliyah.
Good morning from New York. Although I’m late for those of you in Eretz Yisrael and Europe, I felt compelled to share this deeply personal and timeless message. It is one rooted in mystery, emunah, and the power of a single individual.
The Enigma of the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer)
Parashat Chukat introduces us to one of the most mysterious mitzvot in the Torah—the law of the Parah Adumah, the Red Heifer. Even Shlomo HaMelech, the wisest of men, admitted, “Chokah mimeni”—“It is beyond me.”
The Torah doesn’t call this law “the decree of the Red Heifer”, but rather:
“Zot Chukat HaTorah” – This is the decree of the Torah.
Why does the Torah present this single chok (statute) as emblematic of the entire Torah?
The answer lies in how we relate to mitzvot we don’t understand. This chok demands absolute faith. It teaches us that Torah life means doing Hashem’s will, even without full comprehension.
David HaMelech: Finding Comfort in the Unknown
David HaMelech writes in Tehillim about the beauty of chukim—those commandments beyond human understanding. Amid rejection, danger, family pain, and exile, he sang them like songs.
Despite a life filled with turmoil—fleeing Shaul, the tragedies with Amnon, Tamar, and Avshalom—David drew comfort from the very laws that defied logic.
The chok reminds us: even when life makes no sense, Hashem is with us.
Why Parah Adumah Was Given Before the Mishkan
Though the mitzvah of Parah Adumah appears in Sefer Bamidbar, Chazal teach it was first given at Marah, right after Kriyat Yam Suf. Before receiving the full Torah, Bnei Yisrael were given a taste: Shabbat, Kibbud Av V’Em, and the Parah Adumah.
But why then?
Because Torah isn’t about logic alone—it’s about trust.
The Parah Adumah purifies the impure, yet renders impure the one who prepares it. It's a paradox meant to train us in Kabbalat HaTorah—accepting Hashem’s will completely.
The Transformative Power of Torah
Chazal teach that Torah transforms us—even when the path seems illogical.
Avraham Avinu emerged from a world of idol worship and became a tzaddik.
Rut attached herself to Torah and became the great-grandmother of Mashiach.
There’s no rational explanation. The Torah’s spiritual energy changes us when we cling to it sincerely.
The mitzvah of Parah Adumah reminds us that attachment to Torah, even without full understanding, transforms our very essence.
One Individual Can Change Everything
The Torah teaches:
"V'hiza hatahor al hatamei" – The pure person shall sprinkle on the impure.
From the yeshivah of Yavneh, the Gemara learns that one pure person can purify many. Why mention Yavneh?
Because Yavneh was the seed of survival after Churban Bayit Sheini. One man, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, saved Torah by requesting Yavneh from Vespasian.
This echoes throughout history:
Rabbi Akiva, who transformed thousands.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who revealed hidden Torah.
Sarah Schneirer, who changed the spiritual landscape of Jewish women.
Never underestimate the power of one person. You can elevate an entire generation.
Miriam’s Well: Gratitude Through Loss
Immediately after the Parah Adumah, we read of Miriam’s passing. Strangely, there is no recorded mourning. But when she died, the well dried up, and only then did Bnei Yisrael grasp her greatness.
Later, when the well returned through Moshe's merit, the people finally sang:
“Az Yashir Yisrael”—Then Israel sang.
What changed? Perspective.
Sometimes, we only recognize a bracha when it’s gone.
“MiMidbar Matanah” – From the desert, a gift.Chazal explain: If you see yourself as undeserving, and life as a gift, Hashem will elevate you.
Seeing Hashem’s Hand in World Events
Parashat Chukat concludes with victories over Sichon and Og. Even Moshe Rabbeinu feared Og due to his merits. But after defeating Sichon, the Torah says:
“Al Kein Yomru HaMoshlim: Bo’u Cheshbon” – Those who rule say: come to Cheshbon (make an account).
This isn’t just geography. It's a life message: make a Cheshbon Hanefesh. Understand that all events, even geopolitical ones, have Divine purpose.
Even distant wars, like in Ukraine, affect Am Yisrael’s destiny. Russia’s preoccupation has impacted Iran and Syria’s capabilities—clearly Divine orchestration.
Chazal expand:
Moshlim = rulers over the Yetzer Hara.
They say: Bo’u Cheshbon – Let us calculate our deeds.
Every mitzvah has reward beyond imagination. Every aveirah brings deep loss.
A Story of Perspective and Giving In
I heard a powerful story from Rav Melech Biderman that brings this home:
Two wealthy business partners welcomed a homeless Holocaust survivor for Shabbat. He was difficult and critical, and eventually, an insult led one partner to stop inviting him. Months later, the man returned—then passed away.
He had secretly been wealthy, leaving behind three wills:
Split $6 million between the two men.
In anger: leave everything to one.
In reconciliation: again split the sum.
Shockingly, the partner who stood to gain invoked only the second will. The other man, hurt but seeking peace, turned to Rav Vosner.
Rav Vosner said: "You can go to a Din Torah.”
As the man left, the Rav called out again:
"Remember—I said you can, not that you should.”
That subtle message changed everything.
The man let go of the money and chose shalom. One week later, he was offered a private business deal—earning $10 million.
When you give in, you don’t lose. You gain—in peace, family, and blessing.
Bo’u Cheshbon: The Final Message
As we enter this Shabbat, let’s remember:
Life won’t always make sense, but Hashem does.
Perspective transforms pain into praise.
One person can light up the world.
Gratitude brings greatness.
And above all—every mitzvah is worth it.
Bo’u Cheshbon – Let’s make the right accounting.
Have a beautiful and meaningful Shabbat.
All my love from New York.
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