Chukas

The parsha starts off with “זאת חקת התורה,” “this is the chok of the Torah”, referring to the para aduma.  What is the meaning of a chok?  And what are mishpatim?  A chok is a mitzvah which we don’t understand the reason; a mishpat, we do know the reason.  Shatnez is an example of a chok, as well as para aduma.  An example of a mishpat is the mitzvah of not killing.  This is a simple thing which people would not do even without the Torah saying so!

The Torah calls the parsha of para aduma “chukas haTorah.”  The para aduma was used in the purification of process where its ashes were sprinkled on the third and seventh days.  This helped make one who became tamay from a meis, tahor.  The question arises: why does the Torah describe this parsha as “chukas haTorah”; wouldn’t “chukas hatahara” or “chukas hatuma” be a better description?

The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh answers that the Torah is teaching us that one who keeps this mitzvah, which is without reason, is considered as if he fulfilled the whole Torah!  This is because a person who does a mitzvah without reason testifies on his belief in Hashem, and shows his acceptance in fulfilling the ratzon Hashem!

Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz explains further: if a person does a mitzvah which has a reason behind it, it is not yet clear that he is ready to do the mitzvos of Hashem, because it is possible to say that he is doing it because it makes sense to him.  However, when one does a chok it is clear that he is doing it because Hashem commanded.  Therefore it is considered as if he is mekayem the whole Torah!

May Hashem help us accept and fulfill His chukim and mishpatim!