Towards the end of Parshas Chukas, Bnei Yisrael are told to send messengers to the nation of Edom to ask them to allow Bnei Yisrael to pass through Edom’s land. Yet nowhere in this Parsha does it tell us the reason why Hashem wanted Bnei Yisrael to do this. It is only later in Sefer Devarim that we are informed of the reason – Edom is the nation that descended from Eisav, and Eisav is effectively our brother (by being the brother of Yaakov, our forefather). We must remember that brotherhood, and not anger Eisav’s nation, Edom. The Yemin Yaakov cites this as a support to the view of the Akeidas Yitzchok – even though this commandment to ask for safe passage was not a Chok (i.e. Hashem gave us the reason later on), we should view it as such and that is why when it was first introduced, it was introduced without a rationale.
Rav Mordechai Gifter ZT”L explained that the reasons for Mitzvahs are called, “Taamei HaMitzvos” because of the dual meaning of the word “Taam”. Taam means, “reason”, but it also means “taste”. Hashem provides us with food to nourish ourselves with the necessary minerals and nutrients. However, Hashem could have given us tasteless or bland food to accomplish this. In His great kindness, He gives us food that also tastes good. By the same token, Rav Gifter explained, we should look at every Mitzvah in the Torah as if it was a Chok – that is, we must observe it simply because it is the will of Hashem. The fact that we may be provided with reasons to keep the Mitzvah is an “extra benefit” – no different than the extra benefit of Hashem providing us with food that is not only nourishing, but is tasty as well.
