Filth and tarnish that adheres to us from the klipah of Amalek. Here are the pertinent passages from the Torah and the Midrash, which we cited above: “This is the ‘chukah’ of the Torah, which Hashem has commanded, saying: Speak to Bnei Yisrael, and they shall take to you a completely red cow, which is without blemish.” Our sages expounded in the Midrash: Rabbi Yossi the son of Rabbi Chanina said: HKB”H said to Moshe, “I am revealing the rationale for the Parah to you, but to all others, it is a “chukah” (an incomprehensible statute without an obvious rationale).
In his commentary on the Midrash Rabbah (Chukas 19, 2), the Yidei Moshe writes: The fiftieth “sha’ar” is the secret of the Parah Adumah, and it is called the “sha’ar” of mystery. This “sha’ar” was not revealed to anyone except Moshe, as it is stated: “I am revealing it to you, but to all others, it is a ‘chukah.’” The Yitav Lev (Chukas) is perplexed by this statement, since it contradicts the explicit teaching in the Gemara above: “Fifty levels of ‘binah’ were created in the universe, and they were all bestowed upon Moshe except for one.” So, how can he claim that the Parah Adumah represents the “sha’ar hanun,” which is called the “sha’ar of mystery,” and it was revealed only to Moshe Rabeinu?
I believe that we can reconcile the claim of the Yidei Moshe based on what we have already explained. To conduct the war against Amalek, Moshe ascended to the top of the hill to access the “sha’ar hanun” from the future geulah, in keeping with the interpretation of: "תורה חדשה מאתי תצא". Therefore, “midah k’neged midah,” he was privileged to learn the secret of the Parah Adumah associated with the “sha’ar hanun.” It affords Yisrael purification annually after the miraculous victory over Amalek on Purim. As we learned from the esteemed Apter Rav, zy”a, that encounter leaves a residual dirtiness and taint on us.
At this point, we can better appreciate the profound words of the Apter Rav. Our blessed sages juxtaposed parshas Parah with Purim, because Jews require spiritual cleansing and purification from the evil taint that remains with us after combatting Amalek on Purim. We have learned that Amalek is the embodiment of the “sha’ar hanun” of the klipah, as implied by the phrase: "ראשית גוים עמלק". Therefore, after confronting Amalek on Purim, we must cleanse ourselves of the evil taint of the “sha’ar hanun” of tumah. We accomplish this by reading parshas Parah—the “sha’ar hanun” of kedushah—which HKB”H is destined to reveal to us at the time of the future geulah—swiftly, in our times! Amen.
