Two years ago, five perfectly red heifers were brought to Israel, capturing the world’s attention. Could these be the long-awaited heifers required for the mysterious biblical ritual of purification? The world waited with bated breath. According to Jewish tradition, the arrival of a flawless Red Heifer is seen as a sign that the coming of the Messiah is near. Would these heifers be the ones, or is the world still waiting for the true Red Heifer to emerge? Unfortunately, they have since developed non-red hairs, rendering them unfit for the ritual—at least for now. But this event reignited an ancient fascination with one of the Torah’s most puzzling commandments: the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah).
This week in synagogue we will read Parshat Parah, a special Torah portion taken from Numbers 19:1-22, which details the laws of the Red Heifer. This reading is included in the weeks leading up to Passover because, in Temple times, ritual purity was a prerequisite for participating in the Passover offering. Anyone who had come into contact with the dead needed purification, which was achieved through sprinkling the ashes of a perfectly red heifer mixed with water. The cow had to be entirely red, without blemish, and never yoked—an exceedingly rare find. The ritual itself was paradoxical: while the ashes purified those who were impure, they simultaneously rendered the priest who prepared them impure. Even King Solomon, the wisest of men, declared that he could not fully understand the logic behind this commandment:
In addition to its connection to the Passover offering, reading the laws of the Red Heifer before Passover also emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and spiritual preparation. The act of purification through the ashes of the Red Heifer reminds us that when drawing near to God, we must confront and cleanse the parts of ourselves that are spiritually impure.
The fact that this commandment defies logic teaches another essential lesson: we are not meant to understand everything. Some commandments, and indeed some aspects of life, remain beyond human comprehension. The Bible’s message is clear—faith does not always require understanding, but it does demand trust.
The Red Heifer carries another profound moral and spiritual lesson as well. The priest who prepares the purification ashes becomes impure himself while purifying others. This act reflects a fundamental truth about leadership and service—helping others often comes at a personal cost. True dedication to God and to our fellow human beings requires self-sacrifice. Whether in family, community, or faith, the greatest acts of giving often require us to step outside of our comfort zones, sometimes even at our own expense.
Though the Temple is not yet rebuilt and the Red Heifer ritual is not yet performed today, its message remains deeply relevant. The world is filled with impurity, both physical and spiritual. Negativity, distraction, and self-interest can cloud our connection to what is truly important. The concept of purification reminds us that spiritual growth is a process. We must constantly strive to remove the inner obstacles that prevent us from coming closer to God.
The recent fascination with the search for a kosher Red Heifer serves as a reminder that the world is shifting, and that we are living in extraordinary times. According to Jewish tradition, the purification with the ashes of a Red Heifer will be one of the signs preceding the Messianic era. Perhaps the question we should be asking is not when the right heifer will be found, but rather, whether we ourselves are ready for redemption.
As we read Parshat Parah, it is a time for reflection. What spiritual impurities do we need to cleanse from our own lives? How can we prepare ourselves for something greater? And most importantly, are we ready to embrace a future in which God’s presence is fully revealed? The Red Heifer may remain a mystery, but its lesson is clear—purification leads to transformation, and transformation brings us closer to redemption.
If you are intrigued by the remarkable story of the Red Heifers, The Return of the Red Heifers: Paving the Road to Redemption is a must-read. Journalist Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, who broke the story to the world, takes readers behind the scenes of the incredible journey of five red heifers transported from Texas to Israel in 2022. This extraordinary event, which may mark the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, is explored with unprecedented insight, as Berkowitz reveals the miraculous intersection of faith, determination, and divine timing. From the intricate requirements of the Red Heifer ritual to the profound implications for the restoration of Temple service in Jerusalem, this book offers a deep dive into the historical and spiritual significance of this rare sacrifice.
Buy Now and witness how ancient prophecies are unfolding in our world today, paving the way for redemption in ways both unexpected and profound!
