This week’s reading starts by stating that this particular rule, am irrational one, is actually the essence of the whole system of commandments (Mitzvot).
The name of this week’s Torah reading is Chukkat. Chukkat means a rule or statute. In the Torah, there are different types of rules, essentially three types. There are rules that a person can understand on their own, even if the Torah did not mention them. For example, “Do not steal,” “Do not kill,” and “Honor your father and mother.” These rules are called Mishpatim in Hebrew.
Then there are rules called Edot, which are like testimonies of historical events. For instance, the Exodus from Egypt is commemorated with the holiday of Pesach. If the Torah did not mention this, we might not observe it in this way. Both types of rules are rational, but there are also rules without any rational explanation. These rules are called Chukim. They are commandments that only G-d knows why they are important or what they accomplish.
This week’s reading focuses on Chukim. Some might think that there is no need to follow G-d’s commandments if they are rationally understandable, like not stealing. They might feel that their upbringing and common sense are sufficient to guide them. But the truth is that even the rational commandments have an essence that is inherently irrational. What do I mean by this? Each commandment has two parts: there is the part of the commandment that is understandable and practical – it prescribes a specific action or behavior. However, the essence of any commandment is G-d’s will. The core of every commandment is essentially the same for all commandments, regardless of the specific action it requires or prohibits. It is G-d’s will, and the reality is that as limited human beings, no matter how smart we are, we cannot fully understand what G-d’s will truly entails.
The key takeaway is that the essence of the Torah and the connection to G-d is not rational but irrational. This has practical implications. It makes no sense to pick and choose commandments based on personal preference: “I like this commandment, so I will follow it, but I don’t like that commandment, so I won’t.” This is not a genuine connection to G-d, but rather a connection to your own interpretation or your own made-up version of G-d. The Torah teaches us that the essence of the commandments is irrational, and through following these irrational commandments, we can connect to something that is truly beyond ourselves.
Parshat Talk from Rabbi Tuvia Serber
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