Laws We Don’t Understand

The Alshich felt it was necessary for the Torah to give us laws that we could not comprehend. This refers to the category of laws known as “Chukim.”

They include such laws as the Red Heifer, the forbidden mixture of wool and linen in a garment, known as “Shaatnez,” and even the prohibition of mixing milk and meat.

These laws are meant to be beyond our comprehension to the point where one might view such laws as foolish. The ashes of the Red Heifer have the ability to purify one who has come in contact with the dead. And yet, the Kohanim who prepared these ashes, becomes impure.

Why should it matter if the garment we are wearing has a few linen threads, when the bulk of the garment is wool? We are violating a Torah law if we do not remove the linen threads before wearing the garment.

The case of milk and meat applies only when we are dealing with kosher milk and kosher meat are mixed by eating or cooking. Each item by itself is perfectly okay to eat, but when mixed together, one receives lashes for its consumption.

There is a bit of a paradox here. In the one hand, the Torah tells us that the nations of the world will marvel at our lofty laws known as “Chukim.” But, on the other hand, the Jewish people themselves have to grapple with these very difficult Mitzvot.

The Prophet Isaiah taught us that we must remind ourselves that Hashem’s ways are not our ways. We must accept that everything that comes from Him is holy and pure. We must reach the level of הכנעה, surrender and submission, towards Hashem’s commandments.

There is a much greater reward for observing the laws that we don’t understand or may not agree with, rather than only observing the laws that make sense to us. This is a challenge of faith in G-d for which the benefits are very great.