Peace of Parsha:Chukas by Dr. Mark Gersten

for REFUAH SHELAMAH  HENYA BAS TOBAH

Many of us have learned years ago that the Red Heifer is the quid essential example of a statute (law given without reasonable explanation) in the Torah. This is because of the paradox that the same ashes which purify an impure person make a pure person impure. There are those however, who feel, that all of the Torah is a paradox. The Torah makes the impure pure and the pure impure! How so?  If a righteous man uses his knowledge of the Torah to cheat others “legally” or for self aggrandizement and KOVOD he becomes impure. However if a BAAL TSHUVA learns Torah and uses his learning to be able to perform the MITZVOT and become closer to HASHEM, the Torah transforms this sinner into a righteous person.

One need not look only at the Torah. Hashem has provided us with a myriad of conduits to come close to him which can act in the same paradoxical way as the Torah.

The gifts of intellect and of speech distinguish us from the beasts.

We can use our intellect to study Torah or prepare for our profession which will support a Torah way of life for our family, or we can use it to memorize and investigate nonsense (NORRISHKEIT). With words we can comfort others in pain or make others suffer psychologically from our unkind words. Our words of prayer can ascend to Hashem’s holy throne. If not said with proper reverence and respect, however, they can change from our advocate to our prosecutor.

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts HASHEM has given us, but it is misused an misunderstood by the majority, This is because we don’t really believe in the power of prayer, If we did we wouldn’t have the audacity to interrupt our personal conversation  with the King of kings to chat or gossip with our neighbor in Shul.

Lack of understanding is a key but other factors also play a role. The biggest failure of the Day School movement is that young men and women graduate but still talk during dovening without showing proper respect or reverence. This is only partially the failing of the school. When a child sees his parent talk during dovening he feels he too has every right. People also don’t have the proper priorities when they dovin. They know that if they went to the opera they would get there on time and not interrupt the opera with talking. The opera is the priority. When they get to Shul  they feel that discussing  Israel’s options, the financial problems of the School or Shul, or how someone is feeling is more important. then dovening without interruption. True these things are important. Hashem wants to hear. Discuss them with him. He is MUCH, MUCH more likely to be able to do something about the problems that your neighbor.

We live in difficult and unsafe times. We see financial turmoil, political unrest and many recent natural disasters. We see the blood of our fellow Jews flow in the streets at the hands of terrorists. Can’t you get the picture? OUR LESS THAN REVERENT PRAYERS may be responsible. Do you want this responsibility on your head?

Above all stupidity is someone who comes early to dovin, does not say a word  extraneous to the prayers for hours and then starts to talk during the last Kaddish.

This is someone who created something beautiful and worthwhile, but like the proverbial  cow kicks over the bucket of milk.

In the MISEBARAICH we say every Shabat we wish a blessing among others for people who come to Shul to pray. This is a subtle message that you don’t get a blessing if you come to talk, to socialize or go to kiddish, only if you come to pray. May all of Israel be blessed on the merits of those who know why they come to Shul …TO PRAY