Fair-weather believers seem to be the underlying
narrative in the B’Midbar parshot, from the pusillanimous ten spies to the
blasphemous insurrection of Korah, Dathan and Abiram and on to
the bitter waters of Meribah and more rebellion near
Ma’im Suf, The Sea of Reeds. Will these wavering Children of Israel, clearly
not yet Am Yisrael, ever stop complaining?
Just in the nick of time, the concept of Chukkat, also
the title of this week’s parashah underscores not only the supremacy (and
mercy) of the God of Israel, it also emphasises the comprehensiveness of all
the commandments. Some are blatantly reasonable, rational and understandable,
Mishpatim, but others, Chukkat, require leaps of faith and moral exactitude on
a much higher, esoteric plain.
We do not understand the prohibition against mixing seeds
together or of wearing cloth of mixed wool and linen or, in this week’s parsha,
the rules regarding the Red Heifer. We obey them because God says so. End of
argument? Not really. Nothing in Torah is that simple.
There is a rationale here. These laws are concerned with
a higher morality, with life, not death and regulate one’s less apparent
emotional states. These laws, as in the case of the Red Heifer and others,
often appear before the narrative event explaining how to act in particular
circumstances. Considering, too, that Chukkat tells of the deaths of Miriam and
Aaron and its impact on Moses, the need for ‘higher guidance, is exactly what
is needed.
To find out more, we are very fortunate this week to have
the professional advice of Rabbi Amanda Golby who will be leading our
services. Please make every effort to
come so that we cannot only learn and celebrate Shabbat together, but also,
give Rabbi Golby a warm, Cornish welcome.
