The Torah (Numbers 19) describes the process for producing ash from a red heifer to purify Jews so they may enter the Holy Temple compound in Jerusalem. Tradition has it that from the time of Moses until the destruction of the Second Temple, a period spanning nearly 1,350 years, a total of nine red heifers were used. Maimonides writes that the tenth red heifer will be used in the presence of the mashiach.
While there is no prophecy in Jewish tradition predicting that the red heifer procedure is a harbinger of messianic times, Maimonides’ codification of the procedure as Jewish law unquestionably identifies the procedure as a condition for full services to be restored in the Holy Temple.
Anyone who takes this seriously is either concerned or delighted, depending on perspective, with the news that there are currently an unprecedented four red heifers in Israel that meet the very stringent requirements to be used in the procedure. The cybersphere is aburst and abrim with the possibility “the Jews” are about to “sacrifice” (it’s not a sacrifice) a red heifer to fulfill a prophecy (there is no such prophecy), thus heralding in the messianic era.
Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaydah claimed, 100 days into the war, that the reason for the Oct. 7th attack was because of the provocative act of importing 5 red heifers into Israel. He claimed this would lead to the destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple. It is not for nothing that Hamas dubbed the attack the “Al-Aqsa Flood”:
Think about that. Hamas knows about the red heifers and takes it seriously. That said, we should not give Hamas too much credit. Hamas’ charter calls for killing Jews, with or without a red heifer. Still, it is crucial to understand that Hamas does not view its struggle with Israel in secular terms — of colonizers vs the colonized — but rather in religious terms — they claim to believe that they are defending the Al-Aqsa compound.
Religious Christians as well, are looking upon this issue with great interest.
A Christian farmer from Texas raised the red heifers and brought them to Israel in 2022. James Lasher of Charisma writes, “The significance of the red heifer in Bible prophecy cannot be understated. It serves as a tangible reminder of the unfolding of God’s divine plan.” The website Christianity, posits that “[f]or Christians holding to a premillennial view of eschatology, even just one rabbi-approved red heifer arriving in Jerusalem means the rapture is imminent. They believe a third temple will be built during the End Times, at which point all the other prophecied events will follow.”
Muslims and Christians clearly take an eschatological view of red heifers. As for Jewish tradition, of course, the red heifer purification procedure is required to enable full service in the Holy Temple. But this is not its only use. Other mitzvos depend upon this state of purity, as well. For example, kohanim may only eat trumah and other prescribed gifts if they are in a pure state. Tithes such as maaser sheni must be eaten in Jerusalem in a state of purity.
Although religious Jews impart great significance to the appearance of several red heifers in Israel, the majority of Israel’s Jews are secular. The majority of the world’s Jewish population is secular. Secular Jews do not give much credence to red heifers and states of purity. In fact, one columnist in the Israeli left-wing newspaper Haaretz wrote once that a red heifer in Israel should be shot before it causes another intifida – as if Muslims need an excuse to kill Jews. An extreme position to be sure, but there it is.
Secular Jews along with most Western nations view events in geopolitical terms. They would be wise to recognize that 1.5 billion Muslims and millions of Christians view events in religious terms. Religion and religious traditions motivate them.
Ancient Jewish sources identify the Red Heifer’s ability to eliminate the forces of death, impurity, and evil from the world. The ashes of the Red Heifer are said to catalyze a spirit of renewal throughout the entire world. The current Jewish month of Adar has, for thousands of years, been to time to read the Torah verses mandating the procedure, and today, it is precisely the nations of the world awakening to the whiff of fresh air.
Some welcome it, others dread it; everybody seems to be talking about it. Perhaps it is time for the Jews to take notice.
