The
parshios of Tazria and Metzora are both dedicated entirely to the halachos of the various
forms of tum'ah
and the subsequent tahara
achieved through immersion in a mikvah. The Rambam at the end of Hilchos
Mikvaos writes that although the concept of
tum'ah and
tahara are definitely a
chok - a mitzvah beyond our comprehension - nevertheless there is
an allusion contained therein that we can understand:
"It is clear that tum'os and taharos are decrees, and they are not
logical, rather they are chukim. Likewise, the purification from the tum'ah
achieved through immersion is also a chok, because tum'ah is not mud or dirt that
can be washed off in water. Rather it is a decree of Hashem and it is
contingent upon the intention in one's heart . . . Nevertheless, the decree
contains an allusion: Just as one who has the proper intention in his heart and
then immerses becomes pure, even though there was no physical change effected
in his body, so too, one who prepares his heart in order to purify his soul
from its impurities . . . and has "immersed his soul in the waters of
da'as" becomes pure. As Hashem says, 'I will throw upon you pure water,
and you will become pure from your impurities, and from all your transgressions
I will purify you.'"
Rav Wolbe (Pirkei Kinyan Da'as pg. 14) elaborates on the Rambam's explanation.
From the Rambam's words there seems to be an entity called da'as which is
separate from the entity in which we live, no different than the separation
between land and water. One who wishes to purify himself, must immerse himself
entirely in the entity called "the water of da'as." We might understand
that this can be accomplished as follows.
Most people live their lives in a fantasy of sorts. We fantasize about what we
would have liked our lives to look like in the past, and how we wish it should
look in the future. There is almost no aspect of our lives that doesn't involve
our fantasies in one way or another. Even simply walking from one place to
another can involve one's fantasies. For example, if someone requests our
presence at an event and we comply, we tend to think that we have done them the
biggest favor and really enhanced their lives. If we don't comply, then we
think that we have just boosted our standing in the eyes of those around us,
for now they know that we do what we want to do, and we're not bound by anyone
else's desires.
However, there is also another approach to the myriads of aspects that life
presents. We could contemplate a Torah concept or lesson reflected by what we
observe. A story involving Reb Yisroel Salanter concretizes this idea. Reb
Yisroel once brought his shoes to the shoemaker to be fixed, and he asked him
when he would be able to fix them. The shoemaker looked at his candle and
responded, "As long as the candle burns, it is still possible to
repair." Reb Yisroel left the store in exhilaration. He internalized the
response as a powerful message with regard to one's avodas Hashem: As long as
the candle burns (a person is alive) it is still possible to repair any damage
that he may have caused through his misdeeds! This was the manner in which Reb
Yisroel Salanter related to even the smallest experiences of life.
Torah is the "water of da'as." It gives us the tools to properly
perceive everything that occurs around us. The more we focus on perceiving
occurrences through the eyes of the Torah, the less we will spend fantasizing -
which breeds only negative traits such as jealousy, desire and honor. Let's at
least "get our feet wet" and try this exercise once a day. Even
without a total immersion, we still have so much to gain.
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