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Chukkat (Shabbat Sat. 23rd June; 10th Tammuz) - Laibl's Weekly Parsha Video

490 views · Published 18 June 2018 · 1:49 · Indexed 26 September 2026

Channel: Spiritgrow · 2018 · Education

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Chukkat (Shabbat Sat. 23rd June; 10th Tammuz)
Laibl's Weekly Parsha Video
A Message Etched in Stone Won’t Find Itself in a Paper Shredder

SUMMARY: The difference between writing on paper and engraving in stone is the permanence of the latter. But often the engraved message can’t be read as the grooves have been filled with grime and dirt over centuries. So there is a need to wash and clean the grooves to read the message.  This week’s parsha, is the word for engraving, Chukat, and it refers to the laws that defy logic and reasoning.  But these relate to the deepest engraved messages on our soul – the ones that signify our innate Jewish identity and the values that all human beings espouse to by natural law. These are the messages that have permanence and will never fade.

Notes:
• The Rebbe explains well the difference between a message engraved on stone and one written on paper with ink. Although ink is a much easier and contemporary format of communication, the virtue of engraving is its permanence. Ink on paper tends to fade and paper is cheap and is thrown out.  Engravings on stone withstand the test of time, of dozens of centuries, and run far less risk of being thrown into the office-shredding machine. 
• Archaeologists will testify that often they find a stone - an innocent unspectacular piece of earth, until it is cleaned and dusted off, and only then is its engraved message discovered.
• Human beings have levels of inner communication. One level is how our personalities are ‘over-written’, like ink on paper.  We attend classes and hear the lecturer’s words.  We listen to our teachers and hear information provided.  We read books and articles and these leave some remnant of distant memory.  But then there is forgetfulness. The writing in our memory banks quickly fade and recall comes only with much difficulty, if ever at all. 
• But there is a dimension of inner consciousness that is akin to engraving.  It is what is etched into the fabric of our soul.  Notions of innate goodness, loyalty to family, and quest for depth and spirituality.  These always remain and never fade.
• But often the engraved message cannot be discerned because it has become clogged with dirt and grime, the events of life that leave its deposits in the grooves of the message. And this deeply engraved message as to who we are and what we are, need to be revealed by a thorough cleansing and dusting. Life’s challenges often prod these ‘spring cleaning’ moments when we need to turn inwards and ask some of the big Why’s of life. 
• Basic engraved Jewish laws are called Chukim – the name of this week’s Parsha. They have no ostensible reason provided for their practice. But their inner meaning is engraved deeply in our psyche and are always there to remind us, Jews, who we are and what we are.
• Do some spring cleaning from time to time and clear out the dust and grime, and read the deeply grooved message you will find there.

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