A Taste of Torah in honor of Shabbat
from Rabbi Avi Weiss

Parshat Hukat-Balak
June 25-26, 1999 / 12 Tammuz 5759

WHY DOES A KOHEN BECOME TAMEH WHEN PURIFYING OTHERS?

In the portion of Hukat, the Torah tells us that when the Kohen (priest) helps a person go from a state of impurity (tameh) to one of ritual purity (tahor), he, in the process, becomes tameh. (Numbers 19)  Why?

On a most fundamental level, the Torah teaches the price that one pays when becoming involved with those who are tameh.  One can easily be influenced by those who are spiritually troubled, and end up diminished.  It ought be pointed out, however, that this period of tumah incurred by the Kohen lasts only one day, a price worth paying in order to uplift those who are down.

My son, Rabbi Dov Weiss, shared with me another insight.  Perhaps it is crucial for those who are pure to feel the pain of those who are not, by becoming impure themselves.  In other words, people must place themselves in the shoes of the other to gain a sense of how it feels to be tameh.

This idea has far-reaching meaning today as Jews criticize each other and groups hurl invectives. It is crucial for everyone to enter into the souls of those they are criticizing.  For example, when referring to the Israel Chief Rabbinate as "medieval," non-Orthodox leadership must consider carefully how they would feel if they were so labeled.  Similarly, when declaring that non-Orthodox Rabbis are "clowns," Orthodox Rabbis need to enter the souls of those who have been thus vilified to gain a glimpse of how it feels.

There is one other approach, also suggested by my son Dov (boy am I proud!!), that explains why the tahor becomes tameh.  When the Kohen ritually purifies, it is quite possible for him to feel a sense of haughtiness, a brashness that can go to his head.   After all, through his efforts the tameh has been released from a precarious state.   To counteract these possible feelings of arrogance, the Torah declares that the Kohen, the purifier, was himself to become impure in order to be humbled-even he, the holy Kohen, can become tameh.

Once again, we learn an important lesson.  As we interact with all types of Jews, it is important that each group step back from exalting themselves in their accomplishments and declaring feelings of triumphalism.  Rather, one should struggle to find a way to articulate positions and celebrate accomplishments, while remaining humble.

So the law of the purifier becoming impure has meaning today.  It teaches the price we pay for becoming involved with those who are tameh; it teaches the importance of empathizing with others; and it teaches us that true greatness is achieved through humility.

Shabbat Shalom

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Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
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