PURIFYING WATERS OF KNOWLEDGE

Dear Family

I hope every one is well, and that Renee's health is improving

Mazal Tov to Eliana whose birthday is next week. So happy that you and your Mommy are here with us visiting BH. Wishing you a wonderful year with lots of achievements in both secular and kodesh!

We welcome Sara (nee Davidoff) and Aaron Glick to the Family group! So happy that you have joined, and it brings back good memories of having been with you all on our recent trip to Boston. Please feel free to contribute and let us know all news and achievements from your Family.

In this week's Sedra Chukas, we learn about the process of purification from impurity, using the ashes of the Red Heifer.

These Laws fall into the category called Chukim which are beyond our understanding [the other categories of Jewish Laws are Edim (eg keeping of the Festivals), and Mishpatim (civil and criminal law)]

And interestingly, for all who are learning 1 chapter per day of Rambam's Mishneh Torah, we learnt the same theme in the last chapter of the Book of Purity this week ie the laws relating to Mikvaot (Ritual bathing).

I would like to share the concluding halachah (law) of Mikvaot, and the whole Book of Purity:

Rambam

"It is a clear and apparent matter that the concepts of purity and impurity are Scriptural decrees and they are not matters determined by a person's understanding, and they are included in the category of chukim.

Similarly, immersion in a mikveh to remove one's impurity is included in the category of chukim. Because impurity is not mud or filth that can be washed away with water.

Instead, the immersion in the mikvah is a Scriptural decree and depends on the focusing and intent of one's heart. Therefore our Sages said: "When one immersed, but did not intend to purify himself," it is as if he did not immerse.

In the same way that one who focuses his heart on purifying himself becomes purified once he immerses in a mikveh, even though there was no change in his body, similarly, one who focuses his heart on purifying his soul from the impurities of the soul, which are negative thoughts and not good character traits, becomes purified when he resolves within his heart to distance himself from such counsel and immerse his soul in the WATERS OF KNOWLEDGE. And Ezekiel 36:25 states: "I will pour over you pure water and you will be purified from all your impurities and from all your false deities, I will purify you."

Pirkei Avot

And a cute, connected story linked to this week's Pirkei Avot (5:21), and the above - "Ben Bag Bag said 'Delve and delve into it (the Torah) for everything is in it...'

"A king once built a beautiful palace. He hired 4 painters and instructed each one to paint one of 4 walls in the banquet hall over the course of a year. The painter of the most beautiful wall would receive the greatest reward.

Three of the four painters worked diligently to paint their walls. The fourth idled about all year.

At the end of the year the fourth painter took a mirror like material and spread it across his wall, which was now 'most beautiful' since it reflected the beauty of the other walls.

The wise king instructed that a bag of gold be hung on each of the 3 walls as a reward for the three painters.

When the fourth protested, the king said 'What do you mean? There are 3 bags of gold hanging on your wall!..." (Likutei Batar Likutei citing Sichat Chulin shel Talmidei Chachamim)

Gut Shabbos to all!