A choshuve talmid chochom once, before giving a shiur to his talmidim, noticed that they were preparing to give him an expensive mishloach manos. Before the shiur was over, he told the boys that he does not want them to give him an expensive gift. He asked them to please honour his request, even if they did not understand it, as a maggid shiur does not need to explain himself. Talmidim should abide their Rebbe's instructions, regardless of whether he has provided a reason for his request.
He them dismissed the boys, and also told them that whoever is interested in hearing why he adamant that they do not give an expensive mishloach manos, is welcome to stay and he will explain himself. Some of the boys left, and others who were curious about his passion regarding the topic, stayed to hear his explanation. He them proceeded to explain that when a group is pooling funds to buy something together, some boys may feel pressured into giving more money than they can afford. They are therefore giving the money out of fear of being embarrassed, and this money could be considered gezel, theft. He therefore wanted them only to ask for a token amount, that he should chas vesholom not accept a gift that was bought using stolen money.
This Maggid Shiur taught his talmidim two important life lessons. Firstly, he showed them that following daas Torah should not be contingent on understanding. After that, he used the opportunity to teach them how careful one must be with another person's money in order to avoid any chance of ganeivah. So too, we must do what the Torah commands us regardless of whether we know the reason. Irrespective of that, it is also important to learn the 'taamei hamitzvos', both, because it can teach us how to perform this mitzvah on the most elevated level, and because we can learn from them important lessons for life.
Mainly, our approach in Avodas Hashem and performance of all mitzvos must be with complete submissiveness; we do as we are commanded by our master like loyal servants. Even when a reason is stated for a mitzvah, this is not the motive for the action of the mitzvah, it may be something we delve into and think about but not act upon it in regard to that mitzvah. For instance, we read the megillah on Purim and eat matza on Pesach, not because we want to remember the miracles, but rather because we have been commanded to do so. Whilst doing so, we remember to utilise it for the memory of the Nissim and for thanking and praising Hashem.
The Kedushas Levi says that it was clear that Avraham did not have any sublime understanding of Hashem's reasons for commanding him to sacrifice his son. He was not privy to any divine calculations, and did not understand why he had to do it. Still, like a faithful servant, he was ready to carry through his Commander's will. This is the biggest level of Avodas Hashem.
A Pure Heart
Therefore, the mitzvah of Parah Adumah, זאת חֻקַּת הַתּוֹרָה, could serve as an atonement for the chet haegel. For this is the way to reach טָהֳרַת הַלֵּב, a pure heart. And therefore, we read Parshas Parah before the month of Nissan which is the beginning of a new year. For purifying our hearts, through performing mitzvos because this is ratzon Hashem, is a good preparation for the new year and the Yom Tov of Pesach. May we indeed merit to be vessels for the blessings of renewal and may we speedily be purified with the blood of the Parah Adumah which will be followed by the sacrifice of the Korban Pesach in the Beis Hamikdash Hashlishi. Amen.