*10 A word about notation: Rashi-s notation is a bit different
here.

- For example on verse Nu19-02 there are 4 Rashis.
- We number these Rashis a,b,c,d (Nu19-02a etc)

However after verse 23 Rashi presents a symbolic
interpretation AND STARTS THE NUMBERING CYCLE OVER
WITH VERSE 2.

- For example on the second Nu19-02 (the one after verse
23), Rashi has 4 comments--
- We number these 4 comments k,l,m,n. The idea here is
that we ADD 10 (Since j is the 10th letter of the alphabet
therefore the new Rashi -a- becomes Rashi 10+a or k The
new Rashi -b- becomes Rashi 10+b or -l-. etc.

*1 A General introduction might help
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The idolatry prohibition Dt04-16:19 prohibits
- idols of material objects
- idols of animals
- idols of astral objects
- idols of angels and prophetic images (Ex20-20)

Hence the famous saying that the Golden calf idol was a replica
of the OX FIRE vision in Ezekiel 1--in other words the Jews
were worshipping a prophetic image. This is prohibited and
is idolatrous.*10

Very often the WORSHIP of prophetic visions took the form
of sexual mis-interpretation We see this explicitly in the
GOLDEN CALF episode---the people worshipping it took the
idol party as an occasion for FOOLING AROUND (Ex32-06)

The job of the RED HEIFFER was to atone for these erroneous
thoughts.
------------------------------------------------------

Let us now analyze the symbolic items bit by bit.

Note that the Jews made a gold MALE CALF. This symbolized
the sexual misinterpretation aluded to above.
- MALE symbolizes ACTIVITY vs PASSIVITY
- CALF symbolizes the TEENAGE years.
Thus the GOLD CALF symbolized sexual virility.

This is ATONED for by bringing a FEMALE COW.
- COW is an established person--the emphasis in adults
in not on sex but on societal function...here the cow
FUNCTIONS as a coworker to man in the fields So too
we must be coworkers with God in his field of work.

- FEMALE symbolizes passivity and receptivity. We must
not INITIATE our own ideas of what God wants but
rather be RECEPTIVE (Female) to what GOD ORDERS US
TO DO (COW=COworker)

In summary: RECEPTIVITY TO GODS REQUEST FOR COWORK (Red
heiffer) atones for MISINTERPRETATION OF SEXUAL VIRILITY
(Gold Calf)

*2 GOLD is the color of glitter and showing off (Which is
what many people who sin act like).

RED is the color of sin. We must affirm that the misinterpretation
of prophecy as referring to sexual activity is a sin

*3 All sacrifices had to be UNBLEMISHED. This symbolizes
that our being a coworker with God is not just an IDEA
of service but rather a total COMMITTMENT.

*4 The RED HEIFFER is one that never had a YOKE. This symbolizes
READINESS FOR THE NEW. We must be ready to do any task that
God orders us whether we are already trained or not.

*5 Recall that Aaron made the Golden calf. This was a sin
of establishment. Aaron saw CHUR murdered for protesting
the idol. Aaron reasoned that since he was the establishment
if he died no one would check what was going on. Therefore
Aaron made believe he wanted the calf so as to create checks
against it. This was a sin of ESTABLISHMENT. It is atoned
by having the VICE PRIEST (vs the HIGH PRIEST) perform the
RED HEIFFER ceremony.*11

*6 3000 people died as punishment for worshipping the Golden
calf. These people presumably came from all walks of
life. They could be
- leaders (like the CEDAR tree)
- simple people (like the hyssop)
- groups of people (wool from SHEEP died with WORM blood)
Each group had to atone on what it did. For examples
of CEDAR and HYSSOP symbolizing the spectrum of human
personality see Ju09-06:20)*12

*10 In passing we note that very often people receiving a
prophetic vision feel as if they have DIED (cf. Dt05-21:23)
Hence the RED HEIFFER atones on death--since prophecy to some
minds is associated with death.

That prophecy has nothing to do with death is explicitly
stated in the Bible (Ju13-22:23). Thus
this point of view associating DEATH and PROPHETIC VISIONS
is a misleading one and is atoned for by the RED HEIFFER

*11 This is an actual law-- The VICE PRIEST not the HIGH
PRIEST performs the RED HEIFFER ritual (Nu19-03a)

*12 I am slightly deviating from Rashis literal language
here. Rashi states
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The 3 items (Hyssop, cedar, worm died wool) correspond
to the 3 thousand people who died The high people
(cedar) must lower themselves like hyssops.
----------------------------------------------------

We however have interpreted the symbolism as follows
----------------------------------------------------
The 3 items correspond to 3 personality types (High=
cedar, low=hyssop, groups = worm died wool). These
3 personality types were present in the 3000 people
who died as punishment for worshipping the gold idol
----------------------------------------------------