This week’s parasha is Hukat / Decree. Various types of Mitzvot / Commandments from the Torah exist Edut, Mishpatim & Hukim.
Edut are testimonies that testify about an event. Jews observe the Shabbat / Sabbath. Shabbat testifies that Hash-m / G-d created the world in 6 days and rested on the seventh.
Mishpatim are laws that are self-evident, logical and for the upholding of society. For instance – Do not steal, do not kill, do not commit adultery.
Hukim are laws that are not comprehensible. We do them only from the fact that Hash-m gave them to us. The Para Aduma / Red Heifer is a Hok.
Solid Foundations of Torah
Our Torah is well founded. It was given by Moses at Mount Sinai. Millions of people heard Hash-m speak. It wasn’t a revelation to a single or group of people by G-d – but to an entire nation of people. The Jews heard it and said “We will Do & We will Hear.”
The UN-understandable law
Parashat Hukat Talks of the Red Heifer – A completely Red cow whose ashed are mixed with water that purify the highest form of impurity.
This is one of the laws that is a Hok. We don’t understand it. Why should we do it? Once we established a relationship with Hash-m – who did great miracles for us, gave us the Torah foundations that made sense – then we can trust Him on the laws that we do not understand.
The Mistake of those Who Say G-d changes the Torah
This is much different than other religions that refuse to explain the authenticity of the foundations of the Religion. We know the foundations of Torah make sense – now that the foundations are solidly established we can follow the Hukim / Decrees we do not understand.
G-d is infinitely wise. For G-d to “change his mind” is not logical. Some religions reform, reconstruct, or conserve things laws of the Torah. If one doesn’t understand something – how can you rebuild it. Especially if it was built by G-d. Only Torah Judaism says G-d did not change the Torah. Understanding this concept prompts us to choose the right path in life.
All Mitzvot Have Reasons we understand & know and reasons we don’t know or understand
G-d gives some reasons in Torah for particular mitzvot. But In actuality – there are thousands of reasons for each Mitzvah. There are some that we may not even understand.
Some may disregard Torah because they either say – “I don’t understand it” or they say “I understand it – but that reason does not apply to me.”
King Solomon’s Mistake
King Solomon – the wisest man in history – said he understood that the reason for a Jewish King to not have many wives – was that they were liable to remove the king from the service of G-d. He said – that does not apply to him. In the end he fell to being detoured from proper service of G-d by his wives.
The Wise Doctor
If an honest, reputable Dr. that studied 50 years about the cure to a particular ailment and came up with cure – for some person who read one newspaper article on the subject – it would be foolish for the man to say he is more knowledgeable.
Hash-m Knows all. Even King Solomon’s reflection was not wise because he took into account one reason for not marrying many wives as a king – when G-d takes all reasons into account.
All laws have a incomprehensible aspect. But we accept them. But we don’t change them or say G-d changed them. Doing so would be like rejecting a medicine that was proven scientifically, studied for decades, proven to be safe, effective with no side effects – because we read one article on the subject.
This is one explanation of the Verse “Zot Hukat HaTorah” / This is the Decree of “the Torah”. It Should have said “this is Decree of ‘the Red Heifer'”. Saying “the Torah” instead of “the Red Heifer” is alluding to the fact that all laws that we received from Moshe / Moses in the Torah have an aspect so sublime – we are limited in our intelligence to comprehend.