PARAH ADUMAH
IS THE KRIAH (PUBLIC READING) OF THIS PARSHA MIN HATORAH?
One opinion holds that reading this Parsha is an Torah obligation just like Parshas Zachor. Most opinions do not hold that this reading as an obligation from the Torah, since they do not find a source, nor reason for such an obligation.
T.T.: Rashi says that the entire law of Parah HaAdumah is to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf. And it is a positive Mitzvah to remember the deed of the Calf (see Parshas Ekev). One might say that we do not make a special public reading about the Calf (like is done for Parshas Amalek) since this episode is a disgrace to the Jews. But this should not be enough of a reason to push off this potential Mitzvah, since the reading of the Parsha of Parah HaAdumah does provide an avenue of atonement for the Jews. Thus, it is possible that the public reading of this Parsha is a fulfillment of our obligation to remember the deed of the Golden Calf. And even according to those opinions that it does not fulfill a biblical command, nevertheless, it is a proper practice.
AND MIRIAM DIED AND THERE WAS NO WATER FOR THE CONGREGATION (20:3) – THE WELL THAT TRAVELLED WITH THE JEWS IN THE DESERT WAS DUE TO THE MERIT OF MIRIAM
In Bava Metziah, we find that due to the little water offered by Avrohom Avinu to the angels, he caused to merit the well in the desert for the Jews. How is it possible for two (Miriam & Avrohom) to merit the well?
Maharasha says Avrohom merited that the well would exist for a short time, and Miriam caused the well to exist for 40 years. This is problematic since this indicates that Miriam’s merit is far greater than Avrohom’s merit.
T.T.: Medrash also indicates that the reward for the butter and the bread, Avrohom merited the Mahn, and as a reward for the act of standing by the guests, Avrohom merited the Heavenly clouds in the desert. The answer for all three is that Avrohom merited that the Jewish people would have leaders like Moshe, Aharon and Miriam that would merit these miracles.
DEATH OF TZADIKIM ATONES JUST LIKE THE PARAH HAADUMAH (20:1)
T.T.: How does the death of a Tzadik bring about atonement?
Possibly, it is similar to the concept expressed by the burial of King Shaul (Shmuel II chapter 21). The people showed extreme chesed towards the “bones” of King Shaul, which evoked the mercy of G-d. Thus, the atonement of a Tzadik does not come from the actual death, but from people’s actions of mourning and the honoring of the Tzadik, which is really honoring G-d, and as a reciprocal action, G-d brings atonement for the people.
