Path to Purity
This week's parsha speaks about the Para Aduma, Red Heifer, a young cow that is sacrificed and whose ashes are used by Elazar the High Priest for the ritual purification of people.
The Ben Ish Chai, zs'l, says that since Elazar HaKohen passed away, how can our generation be purified? The meaning of the name ElAzar is HaShem Helps. HaShem places in every generation authentic Tzaddikim and we need to seek them, and learn Torah from them. With the help of an authentic Rav (NOT erev Rav), we can do sincere Teshuva and strengthen in Yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven).
The Ben Ish Chai brings an amazing story about the very holy Tzaddik, Rav Moshe DeLeon, zs'l. Anyone that stood next to Rav DeLeon felt a very big urge to do Teshuva. One day, a rich man crossed the Rav's path and begged the Rav to help him do Teshuva and to give him a tikun for all the horrible sins he committed. The Rav gave him a list of Tikunim and told him that after he completes all the tikunim, he should come to him.
A few months later, the rich man did complete Teshuva and came to the Rav. Rabbi Moshe DeLeon told him that all the tikunim are complete but in order to be able to gain a place in Gan Eden, there is one more tikun that he must do. The Rav told him this tikun includes 2 of the 4 death penalties of the Bet Din and by doing it, this will cleanse away all his sins. The tikun is to pour burning hot lead down his throat, which will cause burning and choking and with his death, it will purify and guarantee him a place in Gan Eden. The rich man, being a complete baal Teshuva agreed immediately.
The Rav told him to lay down and close his eyes and not to open them. The rich man did as he was told while the Rav warmed up honey at a comfortable temperature. He told the rich man to keep his eyes closed, say Shema Israel and then he'll pour the hot lead into his throat. When the Rav poured the honey into the rich man's mouth, the rich man was very surprised to taste sweet honey instead of hot lead.
The Rav told him that because he was willingly ready to die as part of his Teshuva, a good thought is considered by HKB'H as a done deed, therefore, there is no need for him to die.
The rich man was not convinced and cried to the Rav, "Rav DeLeon, promise me that when you die, you take me with you to Gan Eden." The Rav gave him his solid word and a few years later, the Rav passed away. The following day, the rich man also passed away, zs'l.
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The Ben Ish Chai, zs'l, says that since Elazar HaKohen passed away, how can our generation be purified? The meaning of the name ElAzar is HaShem Helps. HaShem places in every generation authentic Tzaddikim and we need to seek them, and learn Torah from them. With the help of an authentic Rav (NOT erev Rav), we can do sincere Teshuva and strengthen in Yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven).
The Ben Ish Chai brings an amazing story about the very holy Tzaddik, Rav Moshe DeLeon, zs'l. Anyone that stood next to Rav DeLeon felt a very big urge to do Teshuva. One day, a rich man crossed the Rav's path and begged the Rav to help him do Teshuva and to give him a tikun for all the horrible sins he committed. The Rav gave him a list of Tikunim and told him that after he completes all the tikunim, he should come to him.
A few months later, the rich man did complete Teshuva and came to the Rav. Rabbi Moshe DeLeon told him that all the tikunim are complete but in order to be able to gain a place in Gan Eden, there is one more tikun that he must do. The Rav told him this tikun includes 2 of the 4 death penalties of the Bet Din and by doing it, this will cleanse away all his sins. The tikun is to pour burning hot lead down his throat, which will cause burning and choking and with his death, it will purify and guarantee him a place in Gan Eden. The rich man, being a complete baal Teshuva agreed immediately.
The Rav told him to lay down and close his eyes and not to open them. The rich man did as he was told while the Rav warmed up honey at a comfortable temperature. He told the rich man to keep his eyes closed, say Shema Israel and then he'll pour the hot lead into his throat. When the Rav poured the honey into the rich man's mouth, the rich man was very surprised to taste sweet honey instead of hot lead.
The Rav told him that because he was willingly ready to die as part of his Teshuva, a good thought is considered by HKB'H as a done deed, therefore, there is no need for him to die.
The rich man was not convinced and cried to the Rav, "Rav DeLeon, promise me that when you die, you take me with you to Gan Eden." The Rav gave him his solid word and a few years later, the Rav passed away. The following day, the rich man also passed away, zs'l.
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