The opening theme of this week’s Parsha is the subject of an interesting Talmudic comment on the book of Genesis. As Avraham is engaged in a dialogue with G-d about the destruction of Sodom, he declares before G-d “I am but dust and ashes.” The sage Rava comments, “In the merit of Avraham declaring “I am but dust and ashes” his children were given two Mitzvot, the ashes of the Red Heifer and the dust of the Sotah water.”
The Rebbe argues that the association between the deed and the reward goes beyond the “ashes and dust” component with each, but rather there is a deeper thematic connection.
Avraham exhibited a willingness to help others even at his own expense, physically and spiritually. He risked his life fighting against four mighty kings to save Lot. He was generous to others even at a time when he had no means with which to do so. He was hospitable to wayfarers who he perceived as idolators, even at the expense of cutting short his time with the Divine Presence. He challenged G-d to save even the wicked population of Sodom.
The reward is two Mitzvot that embody that selflessness. The Mitzvah of the Parah Adumah – Red Heifer is a total paradox. On one hand it brings purity to one who has been in contact with a corpse, representing the ultimate disconnect from the Source of Life. On the other hand, each Kohen involved in the preparation of the Red Heifer mixture became ritually impure. The demonstrates that one must be so devoted to the wellbeing of others, even someone who appears to be unworthy, and even at the expense of their own detriment.
Similarly, regarding the Mitzvah of the Sotah waters, Hashem allows for the ink containing His name to be erased, generally a severe transgression, for the sake of potentially restoring peace between husband and wife. With this Mitzvah, Hashem is demonstrating the same devotion to the wellbeing of others who may be regarded as unworthy, even when there is a spiritual “cost” to that devotion.
This worldview is something the Rebbe modeled and encouraged others to live by. One must be ready to risk something of their own to help another. In fact, this is so fundamental to the Rebbe’s approach, that he understands it to be a gift from G-d when one finds it within himself to act selflessly for others, even at a cost to oneself. Rather than seeing this as a “necessary compromise,” it is to be embraced as a loving gift from Hashem.
I am grateful to have been touched by the Rebbe’s encouragement to embrace the gift of meaningful living for the sake of helping someone else. To quote Hayom Yom of Sivan 28, “You only need the main thing - to help another wholeheartedly, with sensitivity, to take pleasure in doing a kindness for another.”
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin