Myth and Mystery of Red Heifer -Fatema Tania

The word “red heifer” comes from Hebrew. It’s closely associated with spiritual purity. Different religions have various views about the red heifer. The holy books of the Torah, Bible, and Quran mention the red heifer, also known as the red cow. The red heifer is a sacred cow, and its religious purity is very high. It never produces milk, nor does it become pregnant. Nobody else used it as a yoke. Maintain ritual purification and respectfully collect the ashes even after the sacrifice. A priest ritually sacrificed the red heifer. The flashes, blood, bones, dunks, skin, and ashes—everything is very pure. These rituals were performed for a variety of reasons. . If anyone tries to scientifically explain this belief, there will be rising controversies. All spiritual beliefs defy scientific explanation. It’s similar to the belief of ‘Ganga Jol’, which is spiritually sacred and pure but scientifically impure. Without this pure water, Hindu religious rituals are impossible.

All religions have many myths and mysteries. Religious norms and values are very important among believers, and they’re also a very sensitive issue. The red heifer’s myth and mystery are also very important. Different religions explain their sacredness in different ways. Below, I have tried to describe the spiritual facts of the red heifer in different religions.

Torah and Red Heifer

The Torah is the holy book of the Jews. The Holy Torah mentions sacrifice rituals in Numbers 19:1-22. The Jewish believers sacrificed a red heifer, ensuring it was unblemished and never yoked. Once slaughtered, the priest burned the cow to restore its purity. The priest performed this ritual with immense sacred respect. According to them, this ritual was linked to divine activities. They sprinkled some blood on the priest during the sacrifice and collected the bloody carcass of the red heifer inside the cedar wood box, decorated with scarlet thread. The priest collected the ashes in a clean earthen vessel and mixed them with fresh water. This entire process was part of their rituals.

This ritual is very significant among Jewish believers. But this type of sacrifice is also criticized. As a result, they sacrificed animals without any benefit, which is considered a form of murder. But beliefs and logic never work together. People performed this type of ritual to resolve religious tensions. Sacrifice is very common in all religions. However, each religion observes sacrifice differently. Jews built the Third Temple, also known as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem. The Jews wanted to demolish the Al-Aqsa mosque and establish their power over Muslims. They wanted to rebuild the Temple Mount, and a Jewish priest suggested making a red heifer sacrifice.

The sacrificed red heifer was considered a great mystery, according to the Torah. People have questioned the effectiveness of animal sacrifice in eradicating sin and resolving tensions, and they argue that other rituals associated with this process are also irrational. But belief in religion is far from rational.

 The red heifer serves as the sacrifice in the Bible

To be born a red heifer and return to Jesus for the second time in the world is a belief among Christians. The ritual and purification process of the red heifer are quite similar between Jews and Christians. Jerusalem is a holy place among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The word “red heifer” refers to pure red with no other spots in the color. It must be a female, 3- to 4-year-old cow. No one has ever used it for labour or to become pregnant. Later in 1996, some red heifers developed spots, leading to their disqualification.

They believe that a spotless red heifer has been born in Israel, and the birth of the red heifer is a signal to build the Third Temple. The end of the times and judgement day will come soon. The whole event would happen in Jesus’ presence. The attempt to build the Third Temple without a red heifer in 70 A.D. failed due to improper enforcement of the prohibition rules. The temple will not accept a sacrifice without a red heifer. The significance of the red heifer sacrifice lies in its connection to the return of Jesus Christ.

According to the Bible, the first red heifer was prepared by Moses, and after that time, only nine heifers were prepared, and the amount of ashes needed was very small. There is an interesting myth about the red heifer: that, in the last 2000 years, there has been no perfect red heifer born in Israel. It is very difficult to find a perfectly qualified red heifer.

The Temple Institutions of Jerusalem run a programme known as ‘Rise a Red Heifer’. This project uses modern technologies to breed cows to meet the requirements. They are barely trying to produce a blemish-free red heifer.

Is it a superstition or anything? Based on this custom, they are spending huge amounts of money and also using technology. We refer to this as the power of religious mythology, which surpasses the capabilities of science and rationality.

The relationship between Red Heifer and Islam

The sacrifice of cows in Islam is an important and historic event. However, the red heifer sacrifice is not associated with Islam. The Dhul Hijjah month, which follows Hajj, is when people sacrifice cows, goats, buffalo, camels, and other types of animals. Sacrificing livestock animals is considered one of the pillars of Islam. Only financially solvent people would perform this ritual. Relatives and the needy would receive the animals after the sacrifice.

This is the ritual and procedure for this sacrifice. However, sacrifice is extremely important in this ritual. Here, sacrifice means getting rid of ego, wealth, and worth. The Prophet Ibrahim (AS.) initiated this ritual after receiving a divine order from Allah to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (AS.). Prophet Ibrahim (AS.) obeyed Allah’s order and got ready to sacrifice his son. Allah was pleased with the Prophet and accepted his sacrifice. Finally, Allah gave the order to sacrifice an animal to Ismail (AS). Following this event, Muslims have been practicing this ritual all over the world.

The Holy Quran also mentions this sacrifice ritual in Islam. The Holy Book of the Quran names Al-Bakarah (the heifer or cow) as a surah, making it the largest and longest surah in the Holy Quran. This surah also mentions the prophet’s sacrifice ritual.

Sacrifice is common among all religious beliefs. All stories of sacrifice have a strong background that is associated with mystery and myth. For thousands of years, people have been practicing their rituals with strong devotion. So, scientifically, it is not possible to explain all the facts that are connected with religion. Believes, rituals, sacrifices, etc. are the core values of culture. Culture is considered to be the identity of an ethnic group.