The Immortality of a Tzaddik - Defining Jewish Leaders

CHUKAS - BALAK The Immortality of a Tzaddik - Defining Jewish Leaders An intriguing discussion found in the final pages of the Gemara. It is a profound and brilliant dialogue between Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiah, and a group of exiles who left the Land of Israel for Alexandria in Egypt and regretted their ill-advised choice. How did the first section of the parsha, from which the entire parsha derives its name, come about? Our parsha skips ahead 37.5 years to the final year in the desert and the impending passing upon the great tzadikim who led the Jews: Miriam, Aharon, and Moshe. It presents the laws of the red heifer, which purifies from the impurity of death. This is one of the earliest portions that the Jews heard, which is chronologically completely out of place. It inspires the Jews to keep going way beyond their natural abilities.