temperaments differ

This is the statute (chok) of the Torah. (19:2)

One of the seemingly irrational aspects of the Poroh Adumoh is the fact that it is metaher

teme’im and metameh tehorim (purifies the impure and makes impure the pure). People’s natures and

temperaments differ from each other, as do their shorshei haneshamos (“sources of the souls” or

inborn spiritual makeup). For this reason, the path adopted by one person in his avodas Hashem may

be perfect for him, but totally inappropriate for another person with a different emotional makeup

and spiritual level.

Each person has to engage in introspection to determine his specific character traits and positive

qualities. This way, he will be in a position to know what his specific duties are in this world, and

what types of avodas Hashem will assist him specifically in fulfilling his purpose in life. Hashem did

not create us to be clones of each other, and the Poroh Adumoh teaches us that what serves as a

source of taharah for one person may potentially be a source of tumah for another, based on each person’s specific circumstances.

פ' חקת תשפ"ה Based on droshos by Maran HaGaon Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita, Gaavad of Yerushalayim. To receive these weekly divrei Torah email ravsternbuchtorah@gmail.com