Parshas Parah (The Red Heifer)
Ever wonder what a “heifer” is? Well, it is a young female cow that has not born a calf. This Shabbos we read the third of the four parshiot, Parshas Parah. This is read on the Shabbos immediately preceeding Parshas HaChodesh (which is read the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh Nissan.)
When the Temple stood, the only way to purify oneself from contact with the dead was with the ashes of a red heiffer. The reading of this parsha was a reminder to purify oneself in order to be able to bring the Pesach offering at its right time. Although we no longer have the Temple, or the ability to purify ourselves as prescribed by the Torah, by reading this parsha, it is as if we had purified ourselves.
Thus begins our “cleaning” for Pesach… Shabbat Shalom!