Tazriya- Connections of Holiness

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

This week’s Parsha describes the laws of Metzorah, a person afflicted with a skin ailment resulting from a spiritual shortcoming. His purification process includes immersing in a mikvah to achieve spiritual elevation.

In its simplest sense, a mikvah consists of rain water that was gathered naturally. What is fascinating about the laws of Mikvah is that a person need not immerse in the actual, original rainwater. Regular city-water can become kosher for mikvah use if it is properly connected to original rainwater.

In fact, a typical mikvah of today is designed to fill the immersion area with city-water. In this way the water used for immersion can be changed as frequently as necessary. What makes the mikvah kosher is that there is a holding area of original rainwater adjoining the immersion area.

There are two ways to make the water in the immersion area valid for mikvah use. One way is called “planting”. The city-water is added to the original rain water in a way that it overflows into the immersion area. When the city-water gets “planted” in the rain water it becomes kosher for mikvah use.

A second way to create kosher mikvah water is by “contact”. The immersion area is filled with regular city-water. A hole is constructed to connect the water of the immersion area with the original rain water. When the water in the two areas connect, the water in the immersion area becomes kosher for mikvah use.

These two ways to create a kosher mikvah can teach us a great lesson in Jewish education.

The best method of Jewish education is to plant a person in a holy environment. As King David states, “Planted in the house of G-d; in the courtyards of our G-d they will blossom.” That which is planted in a holy place will eventually overflow. When it does, it too has the status of holiness.

However, not everyone has the good fortune of being “planted in the house of G-d.” For many there are merely “moments of connection” with holiness. According to the lesson of Mikvah a moment of connection with holiness also has an enormous impact.

About 30 years ago two Rabbis traveled to London to collect money for their yeshiva. While on the street one day a man approached them and asked them why they had come. They explained that they were collecting for a Jewish institution. He said, “Here is my card. Come visit me in my office and I’ll be glad to help you out.”

The next day they visited this gentleman at his office, and he presented them with a generous donation. “You are probably wondering why I initiated conversation with you, and why I am being so generous,” the man said. “Well, years ago my religious uncle insisted that I go for an entrance exam to the yeshiva of the Chofetz Chayim. I arrived, and due to my lack of knowledge and my cultural attitudes I was turned down. I told them that I had expected as much, and had only come to please my religious uncle. I asked if they could provide accommodations for me for the night until I could get a train going back home. They arranged for me to stay in the home of the Chofetz Chayim.

“After serving me supper, the Chofetz Chayim set up a bed and helped me settle in. But after the excitement of the day I had trouble falling asleep. About a half-hour after the Rabbi had resumed his studies I heard him walking softly to where I was sleeping. He opened the door cautiously, and I heard him mumble to himself, ‘Iz kalt…Iz kalt- It is so cold…It is so cold.’

“I peeked up to see how he was clearly troubled about something. Then he took off the coat he was wearing, and placed it upon me. Apparently he felt it was cold enough, that he needed to give up his coat to provide for me. Whenever I see Jews who remind me of the Chofetz Chayim I am reminded of his concern for me. Although I was not worthy to join his yeshiva, for that night I was like a son to him. I take pride in supporting institutions that are like his.”

There are many such cases where a person does not have the good fortune to be “planted” in the waters of holiness. But a mere contact with holiness is also quite powerful.

I experienced a similar story on a communal level just a few months ago. I was helping a friend build his succah and we were having trouble with a certain joint in the construction. He asked me to go to a local hardware store to buy a piece that would hold the construction together.

I described the problem to the store owner and he showed me two pieces that he thought would do the trick. Unsure of the sizing, I asked if I could purchase both and then return the one that I didn’t need. He said, on the contrary, “Take them both, see what works, and we can settle afterwards.” I was appreciative, but he must have seen a questioning look in my eyes, so, with a motion to my yarmulkah, he said, “I never lost out because of you guys.”

That the Chofetz Chayim can touch someone so profoundly in one night is tremendous. That a community can consistently prove itself with noble behavior is equally remarkable.

Certainly, from an educational perspective, we would prefer to plant in the courtyards of G-d. But the dynamics of mikvah teach us that even brief contacts of holiness are also very powerful.

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos.

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