אודות
תרומה / חברות

English

This shiur covers Bamidbar Chapter 19, the laws of the Parah Adumah (red heifer) and purification from corpse impurity. The chapter appears out of sequence with the surrounding material about the priestly hierarchy, but connects through the kohen's role in both restricting access to the Mishkan and providing purification for those who became impure. The process involves two parts: first, the ritual slaughter and burning of the red heifer with cedar wood, hyssop, and crimson wool to create purifying ashes; second, the detailed laws of who becomes impure from contact with death and how they must be sprinkled with water mixed with these ashes on the third and seventh days to regain purity.
This class covers Bamidbar Chapter 18, which addresses the aftermath of Korach's rebellion and establishes the responsibilities and compensation of the Kohanim and Leviim. The chapter teaches that higher levels of the hierarchy bear responsibility for protecting lower levels—the Kohanim must prevent others from dying by approaching the Mishkan improperly, and in exchange they receive various gifts (terumah, portions of offerings, firstborns). The Leviim serve as intermediaries, receiving ma'aser (tithes) as payment for their protective role, while giving terumas ma'aser to the Kohanim, and neither Kohanim nor Leviim receive land inheritance, ensuring they remain dependent on the people's gifts.