יום ה Date: 1 Iyar, 5774 (5/1/14) – Beitzah#32 {Eliezer}

CLEANSING

[32a middle] R’ Meir: An earthenware vessel becomes contaminable once it has been fashioned.
Kutzcker Rebbe: A Kli Cheres (vessel made from earth/dirt; which is only valued by its function of containing and not its material worth) can only be made impure by something impure that hangs inside of it (using its sole inherent functionality). Metal however, is inherently worth money and since the material itself is valuable, if it is touched by impurity (even on its outside), it becomes Tamei (impure). Similarly, by cleansing, a metal vessel may be made pure again by immersion in a Mikvah [because just the outside needs purification (it still has an inner pure function worth saving)], but a Kli Cheres (which only has one function that becomes ruined), must be smashed and broken to pieces to be remade over again in a kiln.
R’ Rosner: This is the process of Teshuva. If just our outer bodies become impurified, we may go to a Mikvah to get cleansed. But only through a broken heart can with fix our inner souls. This takes much more work than just a dunk in the spiritual pool.

E’s Lesson: We must remember the hard work needed to repair damage to our and others’ souls. Teshuva (returning and repentance) requires major difficult work (like being reshapen through a fire). We are all capable of fixing our vessels and should never give up no matter how challenging the process. Hashem helps those who seek Him, and others will recognize our efforts if we endure sincerely through all hardships.