Hi,
This week's portion is Chukat. Chukat is a densely packed portion, with many sub-plots and stories.
The portion begins with the law of the Red Heifer, the Parah Adumah, an entity used for purification after contact with a human corpse. We are taught that this law has no conceivable rational explanation; it is described as a chok, meaning that it is engraved in stone. There is no explanation which a human being could divine.
Following the presentation of this law, the Torah records the death of Miriam. It is generally understood that this account marks the beginning of the Jews’ 40th year in the desert.
The Jews then ran out of water. The sages explain that the Jews’ well had existed in Miriam’s merit; once Miriam died, the water dried up. Gd told Moshe to take his stick and talk to a rock and produce water. Moshe struck the rock instead, and although this produced water, Gd punished him by telling him he could not enter Israel, since he had failed to properly sanctify Gd’s Name. Aharon died for this as well. Aharon was not active here, but it appears that he died for failing to prevent the act. (Note that there are other explanations for the error of Moshe and Aharon; the text is unclear.)
After this, the Jews came to the nation of Edom, descendants of Yaakov’s brother, Esav. Edom refused to let the Jews pass through peacefully, even with a toll. Gd told the Jews to go around Edom, instead.
After this event, Aharon died. When Aharon died, the Clouds of Glory surrounding and protecting the Jews disappeared. The Canaanite nations noticed this and took advantage, launching a raid against the Jews. The Jews prayed, and they vowed to dedicate the spoils of war to Gd. They won this war, but this was the last time they would be permitted to take such a vow. Once they entered Israel, such a vow was considered a flawed addition to the laws Gd had given. (In their war with Jericho, they would again take such a vow - and suffer as a result.)
After a period of travel, the nation again began to complain about the Manna, the travel, etc. Gd sent poisonous serpents to punish them for their evil speech. When the people began to die, the nation repented.
Gd told Moshe to create a copper serpent and put it up on a pole where people could see it. Those who gazed at the serpent lived. The Talmud explains that the serpent had no power; it was the fact that people would look heavenward for their cure, and be reminded of Gd.
The Jews continued to travel, and engaged in their opening wars with the nations who tried to block their path. We find a victory song celebrating a battle barely hinted at in the text. We also find Gd telling Moshe not to be afraid of battle; Gd would aid the Jews in their quest to enter the land.
Be well,
Mordechai
This week's portion is Chukat. Chukat is a densely packed portion, with many sub-plots and stories.
The portion begins with the law of the Red Heifer, the Parah Adumah, an entity used for purification after contact with a human corpse. We are taught that this law has no conceivable rational explanation; it is described as a chok, meaning that it is engraved in stone. There is no explanation which a human being could divine.
Following the presentation of this law, the Torah records the death of Miriam. It is generally understood that this account marks the beginning of the Jews’ 40th year in the desert.
The Jews then ran out of water. The sages explain that the Jews’ well had existed in Miriam’s merit; once Miriam died, the water dried up. Gd told Moshe to take his stick and talk to a rock and produce water. Moshe struck the rock instead, and although this produced water, Gd punished him by telling him he could not enter Israel, since he had failed to properly sanctify Gd’s Name. Aharon died for this as well. Aharon was not active here, but it appears that he died for failing to prevent the act. (Note that there are other explanations for the error of Moshe and Aharon; the text is unclear.)
After this, the Jews came to the nation of Edom, descendants of Yaakov’s brother, Esav. Edom refused to let the Jews pass through peacefully, even with a toll. Gd told the Jews to go around Edom, instead.
After this event, Aharon died. When Aharon died, the Clouds of Glory surrounding and protecting the Jews disappeared. The Canaanite nations noticed this and took advantage, launching a raid against the Jews. The Jews prayed, and they vowed to dedicate the spoils of war to Gd. They won this war, but this was the last time they would be permitted to take such a vow. Once they entered Israel, such a vow was considered a flawed addition to the laws Gd had given. (In their war with Jericho, they would again take such a vow - and suffer as a result.)
After a period of travel, the nation again began to complain about the Manna, the travel, etc. Gd sent poisonous serpents to punish them for their evil speech. When the people began to die, the nation repented.
Gd told Moshe to create a copper serpent and put it up on a pole where people could see it. Those who gazed at the serpent lived. The Talmud explains that the serpent had no power; it was the fact that people would look heavenward for their cure, and be reminded of Gd.
The Jews continued to travel, and engaged in their opening wars with the nations who tried to block their path. We find a victory song celebrating a battle barely hinted at in the text. We also find Gd telling Moshe not to be afraid of battle; Gd would aid the Jews in their quest to enter the land.
Be well,
Mordechai
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