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SPIRITUAL PURIFICATION |
One of the most difficult to
understand commandments is the Torah decree about the Red Cow (Numbers
19:1-22). An unblemished red cow has to be slaughtered and completely
burned, mixed with several other natural additives. Its ashes are then
preserved for use as a ritual purifier. Anybody who participates in the
preparation process or touches the ashes is contaminated and needs to wash and
wait until the evening to purify. However, people (and objects) that have
been contaminated by touching a human corpse shall be sprinkled upon with a
water solution of these ashes and become pure. The ashes, which are used
to purify contaminated people, also contaminate the pure person who handles
them. Can the same material purify the contaminated and contaminate the
pure? Also, what is the unique quality of an unblemished red cow?
We are obligated to study Torah and
understand it and its commandments as thoroughly as we can, but this
commandment is not easy to understand. Several Torah commen
In my opinion, this commandment also illustrates
the spiritual power of religious rituals. It is not the physical content
of the ash mixture that gives it its power to purify. In essence, the
material is nothing more than the residue of a dead cow. Indeed, it is
the dedicated ritual of preparation that makes it a spiritual purifier.
First of all, an unblemished red cow is required because it takes a special
effort to locate one. We do not know how rare were they in ancient times,
but if cows these days are any indication -- perfectly red cows are hard to
find. Then, after finding the unblemished red cow, the unique preparation
follows, as described in the Torah. A ritual that demands special efforts
and difficult preparations by the community and its leaders is a ritual worthy
of converting a contaminating material into a designated spiritual purifier,
with G-d's blessing.
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