The Sixth section of the Chumash-Book of BAMIDBAR- NUMBERS opens with the law which governs the process of purification from the state of spiritual defilement that a person contracts through contact with a human corpse. This is followed by the final years of the Jewish Peoples’ wandering in the desert until they arrived at the border of the Land of Israel.

On the third and seventh days (the defiled person) must purify himself. (19:12)

To purify ourselves from the defilement of death – which in psychological terms means the paralysis caused by depression or deadness toward the spiritual dimension of life, we must invoke the third and seventh emotional attributes of the soul. The third emotion is pity and the seventh emotion is lowliness.


When we feel the pain that our Divine soul suffers from the constricted consciousness of the material world, we are aroused to rescue it by studying G-d’s Torah and performing His commandments. When we are egocentric, the flow of the Divine force and vitality that should energise our lives is not blocked by our self-centred interests.

Wishing you a meaningful Shabbat and successful week to follow.

With our continued prayers for the release of our hostages, the safety and security of our IDF, and the wellbeing and safety of all of the people of Israel; and beyond with Moshiach and an everlasting peace.