The Red Heifer and Love of One’s Fellow

Rav Yitzchak taught that the essence of the Parah Adumah, the whole procedure of purifying those who are spiritually impure, is the mitzvah to love one’s neighbor. His descendant Rav Mendel of Vurka explained why. The kohen who takes part in the purification becomes impure himself through the very process that purifies the person who came to him. Giving up something of your own in order to help another is the ultimate love for a fellow Jew. When one truly loves another, he feels pleasure in every sacrifice made on his behalf.