The Red Heifer: The Mysterious Commandment of Purity

The parah adumah (red heifer) is a reddish-brown cow used in the purification process for those who have come in contact with a dead body. The detailed procedure, outlined in Parshat Chukat, includes slaughtering the cow, burning it, mixing its ashes with water, and having a priest sprinkle that water on the impure person. This process restores ritual purity.

The ashes of the red heifer are essential, as they are the only means by which a person can be purified from the spiritual impurity associated with death, an essential step before entering the Temple. But finding a valid red heifer is extremely rare, as the Torah mandates a strict set of conditions. The cow must be entirely reddish-brown; if even two hairs are another color, it is disqualified. If it has been yoked or performed any labor, it cannot be used. It must also be blemish-free and at least two years old.

A Law Beyond Understanding

The Torah introduces this mitzvah (commandment) with the words “This is the statute of the Torah,” indicating that it is a chok, a Divine law accepted without full understanding. The Sages present the red heifer as the paradigm of commandments that defy human logic. Even King Solomon, the wisest of men, admitted: “I said I would become wise, but it is far from me,” which the Sages interpret as referring to his failure to grasp the reasoning behind the red heifer.

A Rare History and a Messianic Future

According to Maimonides, ten red heifers have been used in Jewish history: “Nine red heifers were prepared from the time this commandment was given until the destruction of the Second Temple. The first was made by Moshe, the second by Ezra, and seven others were prepared between Ezra and the Temple’s destruction. The tenth will be prepared by the King Messiah, may he be revealed soon.” However, the Rosh (Rabbi Asher ben Yechiel) points out that even during the time of the Amoraim (Talmudic sages), ashes of the red heifer were still in use.

Interestingly, the Beta Israel community in Ethiopia continued using red heifer ashes for centuries. The last known red heifer slaughtered there was in 1952. In more recent times, efforts have been made to find a valid red heifer. One such cow was born in Kfar Hasidim about a decade ago, but it was later disqualified due to black hairs. Still, herds of red-colored cattle exist in several parts of the world. The possibility of burning a red heifer today raises complex halachic questions and remains a matter of ongoing debate.