PIKESVILLE, Maryland — The sixth portion of Numbers is Chukat (19:1-22:1). The single Hebrew word Chukat needs to be translated into two English words, “chok of.”
The term chok means “inscribed” and “engraved,” laws placed in law books. The Decalogue is an example, as are all the laws in the Torah. This is the translation in the commentary Metzudot Tzion Job 13:27 and elsewhere. Why is the word frequently mistranslated as a law that cannot be understood?
Rashi, relying on the Talmud in Yoma 67, is an example. Rashi comments upon Numbers 19:1, “Because Satan (he either means a demon or the evil inclination in people, he is unclear) and the world’s nations mock Israel, saying, ‘What is this commandment and what reason can be given for it?’ (implying that the biblical law of the Red Heifer makes no sense). Therefore, the Torah calls it a chok, meaning a decree from Me (God): you have no right to criticize it.” Do it even if you do not understand it.
Why did these sources, which were accepted as accurate by many Jews, teach that there are Torah laws that people are unable to understand?
Unfortunately, this mistranslation is necessary. It acknowledges that many Jews cannot understand even some very sensible laws. They failed to improve upon what they knew because they were taught ideas suitable for children and did not question these childish notions as they grew older, nor did they devote time to studying and learning. They do not realize that Maimonides taught that all the biblical commands are rational. There are good reasons for each of them. They are designed to help improve individuals and the world.
Because humans do not understand the benefits of some commands, Jewish tradition, like other cultures, had to inform these people that they are correct. Had Judaism disagreed with their view that the commands are irrational, the unlearned people would not have observed the requirements of the Torah. Therefore, they tell these people that tradition agrees with them that humans cannot understand certain commands. Nevertheless, they should understand that they were given to people as a gift by a loving and merciful God, and Jews should accept them even though they are inscrutable.
This mistranslation is what the Greek philosopher Plato called “Noble Lies” and Maimonides referred to as “Essential Truths,” which need to be taught to many people.
Sadly, all cultures need to lie to people who do not take the time to learn the truth.
Maimonides wrote something important. He emphasized that Torah laws benefit people and the world, even if they are not fully understood; however, when their benefits are understood, they help people and the world much more effectively.
Deuteronomy 10:13 states that performing Torah laws benefits a person. Midrash Leviticus Rabba 13:3 says these laws purify people. The Code of Jewish Laws, Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 335:1-3, states that individuals who observe Torah laws are considered good, even if they do not believe in God’s existence.
However, Maimonides added in his Law code, Mishneh Torah, Me’ilah 8:8, that people who seek the meaning of the laws by questioning them and finding the purpose behind them learn more and ultimately do more to help themselves and others. Everyone should try to do so.
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Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin is a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps and the author of more than 50 books.