"Shabbos Parah" recalls the Red Heifer ritual that cleansed Israel from
impurities in the times of Jerusalem's holy Temple, as each person had to be
ritually pure before being able to offer the Passover sacrifice. The "Parah
Adumah" ashes required "Live waters" which mean 'spring water,' rather than
just standing water as in a lake or pond.
As this city is famous for its (over 100) springs, this is of special
interest to Saratogians. Jewish ritual cleansing has two levels: The Mikvah
used today, utilizes natural pristine rainwater, contained in a seal-tight
pool. There is the more advanced level of "Mayan" (as in the 1.5 million
dollar brand new mikva in Tenafly NJ, or the famous Arizal's Mikva in Tzfat
Israel) that is built on a bubbling spring. Indeed, as we approach Saratoga
coming up the Northway, we are given these two choices: 13S takes us to
Saratoga Lake, while a little higher up is 13N which is Saratoga Springs.
In Pirkei Avot (Chapter 2:11) we find both levels used in describing two
famous Rabbis of the Mishnaic period. Rabbi Eliezer Ben Hyrkanos whose
photographic memory and power of retention was praised as a sealed cistern
that doesn't lose a drop, while his rival Rabbi Elazar Ben Arach's creative
energy was like a forceful spring.
Each of these levels has its advantages. The intensity of the Spring is
limitless, and is beyond specific measurement, but is rare. We attain this
level at highlights in our lives, perhaps on a the highpoint of Kol Nidrei
on the holiest day of Yom Kippur, or at memorable and meaningful moments,
but for the average day, we must live with the more attainable level.
|
Indeed, as we approach
Saratoga coming up the Northway, we are given these two choices: 13S takes
us to Saratoga Lake, while a little higher up is 13N which is Saratoga
Springs. |
