In Israel we read this week parshas Chukas. The Torah teaches us the process of burning the red heifer in order to purify people from spiritual impurity caused by exposure to a dead body. This commandment is called a Chok which our sages understand to mean a commandment which we don't have a (full) rational understanding of. In fact the commandment contains some laws that seem counterintuitive. But from this commandment our sages teach us that when we follow the "irrational" obligations it affirms that our entire observance of the commandments is because G-d commanded us and for no other ulterior motives.

The truth is that the Torah was given to us by G-d who is infinite, the Torah is an expression of what He "wants" from us. Obviously then what is written in the Torah will likewise have tremendous (infinite) depth. Even what we do "understand" and can explain has many layers which we have absolutely no grasp of. What G-d commands us and how to fulfill it is clear, but the depths of the "why" He wants it can never be fully comprehended.

Of course we must fulfill the Torah even when we don't understand the rationale behind everything but this becomes challenging when we are in situations that are not so "clear cut" and there is pressure from our surroundings or society to think or act differently. We can't use our lack of understanding of the logic behind the commandments to abrogate our responsibility in fulfilling them.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath