## Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Chukat

###### Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Chukat 23:1
[Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Chukat 23:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Midrash%20Tanchuma%20Buber/s/Chukat/r/23:1)

[ר' יהושע דסכנין בשם ר' לוי אמר, ד' דברים יצר הרע משיב עליהן, ובכולם כתיב בה חוקה, ואלו הן, ערות אשת אח, וכלאים, ושעיר המשתלח, ופרה.

**Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.:**
[R. Joshua of Sikhnin said in the name of R. Levi: There are four precepts that the evil drive would refute as irrational, and for each of them is written the word, *huqqah* (i.e., an unquestioned statute).¹¹⁶ is normally translated simply as “statute,” the word more fully denotes the a command that demands implicit and unquestioned obedience. *Huqqah* is therefore translated “unquestioned statute” throughout this section. Now these concern the following: (1) The nakedness of a brother's wife, (2) diverse kinds, (3) the scapegoat, and (4) the red heifer.¹¹⁷., Numb. 6:7; *PRK* 4:6; *PR* 14:12; Numb. R. 19:5; see *Yoma* 67b.

footnotes:
¹¹⁶ Although Huqqah
¹¹⁷ Tanh


###### Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Chukat 23:2
[Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Chukat 23:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Midrash%20Tanchuma%20Buber/s/Chukat/r/23:2)

ערות אשת אח מנין, דכתיב ערות אשת אחיך לא תגלה (ויקרא יח טז), וכתיב יבמה יבא עליה (דברים כה ה), בחיים אסורה, מת בלא בנים מותרת לו, וכתיב בה חוקה, דכתיב ושמרתם את [כל] חקותי (ויקרא כ כב), 
כלאים מנין, דכתיב לא תלבש שעטנז (דברים כב יא), וסדין בציצית מותר, וכתוב בה חוקה, דכתיב את חקותי תשמרו בהמתך לא תרביע כלאים וגו' [ובגד כלאים שעטנז לא יעלה עליך] (ויקרא י טיט), 
שעיר המשתלח מנין, דכתיב והמשלח את השעיר לעזאזל וגו' (שם טז כו). והוא עצמו מכפר על אחרים, וכתיב בה חוקה, דכתיב בה, והיתה זאת לכם לחוקת עולם (שם יט לד), 
פרה מנין, דתנינן תמן כל העוסקים בפרה מתחלה ועד סוף מטמאים בגדים, והיא עצמה מטהרת טמאין, וכתיב בה חוקה, דכתיב זאת חקת התורה].

**Midrash Tanhuma, S. Buber Recension; trans. by John T. Townsend, 1989.:**
In regard to the nakedness of a brother's wife, where is it shown? Where it is written (in Lev. 18:16): YOU SHALL NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF YOUR BROTHER's WIFE; yet it is written (in Deut. 25:5): HER BROTHER-IN-LAW SHALL HAVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH HER AND TAKE HER FOR A WIFE. During her husband's lifetime, she is forbidden; but upon his death with no children, she is permitted to a brother-in-law. Moreover, for this commandment it is written that it is an unquestioned statute. Thus it is written (in Lev. 20:22): AND YOU SHALL KEEP [ALL] MY UNQUESTIONED STATUTES.
 
In regard to diverse kinds, where is it shown? Where it is written (in Deut. 22:11): AND YOU SHALL NOT WEAR INTERWOVEN STUFF, WOOL AND FLAX TOGETHER; yet a linen cloak¹¹⁸. with wool tassels is permitted.¹¹⁹ Moreover, for this commandment also it is written, that it is an unquestioned statute. Thus it is written (in Lev. 19:19): YOU SHALL KEEP MY UNQUESTIONED STATUTE. YOU SHALL NOT MATE YOUR CATTLE WITH A DIFFERENT KIND…, [NOR SHALL YOU WEAR A GARMENT WITH DIVERSE KINDS OF INTERWOVEN STUFF].
 
In regard to the scapegoat, where is it shown? Where it is written (in Lev. 16:26): AND THE ONE WHO SETS THE AZAZEL-GOAT FREE SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, BATHE HIS FLESH IN WATER, AND AFTER THAT MAY COME INTO THE CAMP; yet it is the goat itself that atones for others. Moreover, for this commandment also it is written, that it is an unquestioned statute. Thus it is written (in Lev. 16:34): AND THIS SHALL BE TO YOU AN UNQUESTIONED STATUTE FOREVER.
 
In regard to the red heifer, where is it shown? There where we are taught (in *Parah* 4:4): ALL ENGAGED WITH THE RITE OF THE RED HEIFER FROM BEGINNING TO END RENDER THEIR GARMENTS UNCLEAN; yet it is the heifer itself that purifies what is unclean. Moreover, for this commandment also it is written, that it is an unquestioned statute. Thus it is written (in Numb. 19:2): THIS IS AN UNQUESTIONED STATUTE OF THE TORAH.

footnotes:
¹¹⁸ Gk.: sindon
¹¹⁹ See Numb. 15:37-38.