What is the importance of the "red heifer" in the novel, The Yiddish Policemen’s Union?

The red heifer symbolizes religious prophecy. In an effort to reclaim the Holy Land for the Jews and bring about the coming of a religious messiah, the Verbovers and certain elements of the United States government intend to destroy the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and sacrifice a red heifer, which is prophesied in the Torah to bring about the arrival of a messiah. Mendel is thought to possibly be the vessel for said messiah.