Parshas Vayakhel (Parah) 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Mar 20
- 2 min read
Chodesh Adar and the Four Parshiyos (4)
Parshas Parah. This Shabbos we take out a second Sefer Torah and read the beginning of Parshas Chukas which discusses the Parah Adumah. It details the purification of a person from ritual uncleanliness caused by coming into contact with a dead body, by sprinkling the ashes of a burnt red cow and specially prepared water. The Shulchan Aruch (1) writes that some opinions hold that the laining of Parshas Parah is a Torah obligation (D’Oraysa). Some later Poskim [as mentioned in the Mishna Berura (2)] could not understand the source in the Torah for such an obligation to read annually the parsha of the Parah Adumah, especially now that we don’t even have the mitzvah of Parah Adumah. They, therefore, disagree and rule that it is only a Rabbinic obligation. The words of the Shulchan Aruch indeed require explanation.
Explanation of the Steipler Gaon zt”l. The Steipler explains this ruling by quoting the Malbim at the end of Parshas Metzorah. It says there (3): “You shall separate Bnei Yisroel from them contaminating [my Mikdash].” The Malbim explains that it is really an obligation upon Beis Din to make public announcements about the laws regarding not entering into the Mikdash while tamei (impure), until one becomes purified with the ashes of the Parah Aduma and the special water. Chazal chose to do this by commanding us to publicly read the Parsha of Parah Adumah from a Sefer Torah, where it states clearly the prohibition of a Tamei (impure person) entering the Mikdash while he is impure. This is relevant even nowadays since the area of the Bais HaMikdash still retains its special kedusha and sanctity, and we are not permitted to enter that area, with a penalty of Kares to one who does, as stated in the Mishna Berura (4). We, therefore, still need this reminder every year.
Relevance. Those who go by transport to the Kosel Hamaaravi do not enter the place of the Mikdash, but those who walk through the Arab shuk [which must be done safely] must be careful not to make a wrong turn into the Mikdash area. They must go with Yerushalmis and others who know the proper way.
(1) או"ח תרפה:ז (2) תרפה:טו (3) ויקרא טו:לא (4) תקסא:ה