Chukkat: Pondering the Paradox, Perfecting the Schmooze
This week’s parsha, Chukkat, opens with one of the most enigmatic laws in the Torah: the ritual of the red heifer. It is a chok, a divine decree that defies rational explanation. Its ashes purify the impure, yet render the pure who administer them impure. This paradox reminds us that some of the most profound aspects of our tradition—and our lives—don’t always reveal their logic at first glance. They invite us to engage with them, to wrestle, and to find meaning not just in the “what,” but in the “how.”
I’ve been thinking about this as I’ve reached the midpoint of my first rabbinical school course, Mishna 101. Immersing myself in these ancient rabbinic debates can feel like encountering a chok; the logic is intricate and demands deep focus. Yet, the process itself is proving to be incredibly rewarding. The intellectual guidance of our excellent prof, collaborative discovery with my chavruta (study partners) and the challenge of my take-home midterm are revealing the creative, generative spirit of the ancient Rabbis of our tradition. It’s a joy to find a personal and intellectual connection to this foundational text of our people.
The Israelites in Chukkat, journeying through the desert, also faced challenges they couldn’t immediately solve, like their thirst after the death of Miriam. Their ultimate sustenance came from coming together as a community before God. Connection, like learning, quenches a deep thirst.
In that spirit, Jodi and I would like to invite you to quench your own thirst for connection with us and with fellow community members! Please join us at our home this Saturday afternoon from 3-5 pm for schmoozing, snacks, drinks, and a l’chayim (a wee dram of scotch). We’ll have lawn games for all ages and plenty of good company. It would be helpful if you could register by clicking here and let us know you’re coming – and please bring a friend; even better if it’s someone who isn’t a KBI member! Let’s celebrate the journey together.
Now that we’ve pondered the paradox, let’s perfect the schmooze!
Shabbat Shalom,
Cantor Green