Torah Teasers
Parshas CHUKAS
1. The Gemara tells us that Dama Ben Nesina, a non-Jew, was a sterling example of Kibud Av V’Eim. When his concern for his father’s sleep caused him to lose a great fortune, he was rewarded with a Parah Aduma, which more than helped him recover his loss. The Chidushei HaRim asks, “Why was he rewarded specifically with a Parah Aduma? Ans… He answers that when Dama did his great deed, it caused the Malachim in Shamayim to criticize Bnei Yisrael. They pointed out that a non-Jew had greater Kibud Av than we did. Hashem’s response was to give Dama a Parah Aduma to show that while a non-Jew is prepared to sacrifice a large sum of money for a good deed that is perfectly logical; Bnei Yisrael is prepared to spend even more money for a mitzvah whose reason is beyond our human understanding.
2. “Zois Chukas HaTorah… ViYikchu Aylecha Parah Adumah; This is the statute of the Torah… and they shall take to you a Parah Adumah.” Why does it say, “Zois Chukas HaTorah; This is the statute of the Torah,” – instead of “Zois Chukas Parah Adumah; This is the statute of the Parah Adumah,” Ans… The laws concerning the Parah Adumah are paradoxical. On the one hand, when the mixture is sprinkled, a person who is Tamai becomes Tahor. On the other hand, those who are involved in the preparation of the Parah Adumah become Tamai. The people appointed to prepare the Parah Adumah may rationally argue, “Why should we become Tamai for the sake of those who were not careful to avoid contact with a corpse?” Through the Chok of Parah Adumah, the Torah is teaching that a Jew must help another Jew, even if that reqires sacrifice. This is “Chukas HaTorah; A basic principle of Torah,” – and though we may not comprehend it, we must practice it in our daily lives.
3. “Vayivku Es Aharon Shloshim Yom Kol Bais Yisrael,” (Chukas 20:29). When Aharon died the Torah tells us that every single member of Bnei Yisrael cried. However when Moshe died it only says that Bnei Yisrael in general cried but not every single person. Why? Ans…Rav Yehonoson Eibshitz answers that when Aharon died, Elazar, his son, was destined to fill his role. No one had any ideas about inheriting his prestigious position. Therefore, they all cried over his absence. When Moshe was Niftar, he was succeeded by Yehoshua who was old and had no children. That meant that the position would soon be vacant once again with no clear successor. Some people, who felt they were legitimate candidates for the job, did not cry over Moshe’s death, since their reward would outweigh the loss.
4. Bnei Yisrael complained about their food situation and blamed it on Hashem and Moshe Rabbeinu. Suddenly there was an attack of poisonous snakes and people were dying. Hashem tells Moshe, “Aseh Licha Saraf V’Sim Oso An Nes; Make for yourself a Serpent and place it on a flagpole,” (Chukas 21:8). The next pasuk says, “Vayas Moshe Nichash Nichoshes; Moshe made a copper snake.” Why did Moshe make a Nachash if Hashem told him to make a Saraf? Ans …The Ksav Sofer answers that Am Yisrael did two things wrong. They spoke about Hashem and Moshe. To do tshuva for speaking about Hashem they needed to contemplate a Nachash reminiscent of the Nachas HaKadmoni in Gan Eden who spoke bad about Hashem and incited Chava. In Pirkei Avos the Mishna (2:11) says to tread carefully with Talmidei Chachomim since “Lichishasan Lichishas Saraf; Their bite is like that if a Saraf.” Hashem was concerned about the Kavod of Moshe and insisted he rectify this with a Saraf. Moshe did not care about his Kavod, but rather that of Hashem, so he made a Nachash.
5. “Kach Es HaMateh… ViDebartem El HaSelah LiAynayhem ViNasan Maimav; Take the stick… and speak to the rock before their eyes that it shall give its waters.” What purpose was the stick to serve, and what was Moshe to say to the rock? Ans… Aaron and Moshe each had their own stick. When Hashem wanted Aaron or Moshe to take his own stick, he would say, “Matecha – Your stick.” Since in this pasuk it says. “HaMateh – The stick,” – obviously it was a special one with unique qualities. The purpose of taking the stick was to show it to the rock as if to say, “Learn this lesson; just as a dry piece of wood suddenly became moist and alive in order to sanctify Hashem’s name, so should you sanctify Hashem’s name by giving water, even though it is not your nature.” (Kli Yakar)
6. The Torah tells us that the when the Kna’anim heard that Aharon died and the Ananei HaKavod went away, they attacked Bnei Yisrael. Rashi tells us that this was really Amalek, but they spoke the language of Kna’an although they were dressed like Amalek. Why would Amalek attack again after having been thoroughly trounced the first time? Why did the disappearance of the Ananei HaKavod give them hope? Why did they speak Kna’ani? ANS… Rav Yehonoson Eibushitz answers that Bnei Yisrael did not perform the Mitzva of Bris Mila in the Midbar because the Ananei HaKavod prevented the Ruach Tzefonis, the northern wind from blowing. This wind is necessary for the healing process, and without it having a Bris Mila would be too dangerous. Now that the Ananei HaKavod went away, Amalek was sure Bnei Yisrael performed Bris Mila at the first possible opportunity. The figured that in Bnei Yisrael’s weakened state after the Bris Mila, they can defeat them just like Shimon and Levi did to Shchem. The reason for the attack was that Amalek was a grandson of Eisav, and they wanted to avenge Yaakov’s stealing of the Brachos. To receive the Brachos from Yitzchok, Yaakov wore Eisav’s clothing but spoke in Yaakov’s voice. Therefore, to raise the level of passion for the fight they chose to carry the banner that would remind them of this episode, and they as well wore one nation’s clothing and spoke another nation’s language.
7. Rashi says that Para Aduma is called a Chok because the Satan and Umos HaOlam challenge Bnei Yisroel to explain this mitzva. Therefore Hashem tells us that it is a Chok and we cannot question it. Why? ANS… Doing someone’s non-sensical command can only be from a strong loving bond. We need no answers or excuses to do Hashem’s command. We do it because He loves us and we love Him.

Created By Avrohom Sherman
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