Chukat(Numbers 19:1-22:1)

Knowing What You Do Not Know

"A wise man's question is half the answer."
    -- Mivchar Peninim

The search for meaning is a great hallmark of humanity. Human beings have the constant need "to know." This is in fact one of the proofs that human beings possess a spiritual soul. Monkeys do not search for answers to philosophical and scientific questions. Science - which can be defined as "the human search for reasons" - is therefore a spiritual quest, not a physical one.

We feel inadequate when faced with a life without purpose. Every human desires to know why we go to work, why we toil, what we hope to get out of life, and what is the point of it all. Life without understanding is painful and hollow. No one would go to work without knowing the goal. Why live without knowing the goal?

GRASPING THE UNKNOWN

All the Mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah are divided into two essential categories: "Chukim" - statutes, and "Mishpatim" -ordinances.

Mishpatim are Mitzvot whose reason is intuitive. For example, we all understand the need for laws forbidding murder and stealing, or laws requiring us to give charity.

Chukim, on the other hand, are laws whose meaning is obscure. For example, why is it prohibited to eat pork?

But why do we need Chukim? Why can't all the Mitzvot be understandable like Mishpatim?

We know that a person's understanding only reaches as far as his experiences. But that cannot be the sole arbiter of our behavior. Just as a nutritionist will prescribe certain foods, or a parent will instruct a child concerning things which the child has not yet grasped, so too does God command us.

Yet it goes much deeper than this. Because in a strange way, life has more depth and challenge when we do things we don't fully understand. Were we to do everything only because we understand, then life would be shallow, in the sense that we'd be limited by the scope of our own horizon.

There is an aspect of freedom in following an indiscernible command. In doing so, we can begin to get out of ourselves, to understand things from a different angle, in a more objective, non-personal way.

THE BENEFIT OF CHUKIM

This week's Parsha begins, "This is one of the Chukim of the Torah." This phrase is unusual since the Torah rarely goes out of its way to tell us what are and what are not Chukim.

Rashi (11^th century France) explains that people will taunt the Jews by saying this law makes no sense. Therefore, the Torah specifies that this is a Mitzvah whose reason is not given to us.

Rashi's answer doesn't seem to be any answer at all! When we are accused of having laws that make no sense, should we answer that indeed we don't know the reason?! Isn't this simply agreeing with those who taunt us?

Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg, of blessed memory, former Dean of Yeshivat Ner Israel in Baltimore, explains: If humans are doing something and don't understand its meaning, we feel inadequate. We feel uncomfortable when we don't have an answer. Therefore, the Torah sets us at ease by telling us up front that we are dealing with a law whose meaning is elusive. Though we may be uncomfortable with the idea that we don't know, on the other hand we can be more at ease with an idea we aren't expected to know.

When the Torah says "this is one of the Chukim," it is providing us with a unique opportunity to grow. And because we trust in God to offer the right direction, we can follow this Mitzvah with confidence - even if we may not understand.

DOES GOD HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR?

Judaism is filled with depth of understanding. Its laws and procedures are studied and dissected to obtain the rich ore of purpose and meaning it adds to our life. Judaism demands of its adherents to know what they are doing in life. That's why the Torah has to point out the rare instance of elusive meaning and say, "This is one of the Chukim." This is the exception to the rule. Everywhere else we do not have permission to "observe without understanding."

Think about how much of secular life is lived without meaning, and without understanding. Those who point to the Torah and say it is filled with "laws without meaning" may only be making fun of themselves. Perhaps we can hear God chuckle...

BRAINSTORMING QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Question 1: Think of something you did today even though you didn't quite understand why. Did it bother you? Why or why not?

Question 2: If there is a mezuzah on your door, do you know why? If not, does it bother you?

Question 3: If somebody asked you for a piece of information, and you don't know the answer, are you uncomfortable saying the words, "I don't know"?