Parashat Chukat / פרשת חֻקַּת
Read on 19 June 2021 (9 Tamuz 5781).
Parashat Chukat is the 39th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
Torah Portion: Numbers 19:1-22:1
Parashat Chukat sets out the laws of corpse contamination (tumat hamet) and purification with the water of lustration prepared with the Red Cow (פָרָה אֲדֻמָּה, parah adumah, also called the “Red Heifer”). It also reports the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, the failure of Moses at the Waters of Meribah, and the conquest of Arad, the Amorites, and Bashan.
This portion discusses the ritual of the Red Cow. A cow which is completely red, never had a yoke, is burned completely. The ashes are mixed with pure water in a clay vessel to purify anyone who was contaminated by touching a human corpse. The person is contaminated for seven days and is purified on both the third and seventh day. This is a decree, a law for which the rational reason has not been logically discerned.
Some believe that the Red Heifer is to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf. This is why the cow was chosen. It is red because that is the color of sin. It is burned completely the same way the gold was burned to be molded into the shape of the Golden Calf.
The portion then records the deaths of Miriam and Aaron. Thirty-eight years have passed. First Miriam dies and is buried. The presence of Miriam was responsible for water becoming available every three days. With her death, there was no water. The people of Israel complained to Moses and Aaron.
Hashem told Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. Moses then struck the rock two times and water burst forth. Hashem told Moses that because he did not sanctify Him in front of the Children of Israel, he would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land.
Israel came to the land of Esau/Edom. They asked to use their roads but Edom would not allow it. They then had to take a different route.
Aaron then went off to die. Hashem told him to take his son Elazar with him to a cave which will be his sepulcher. Aaron took off his priestly garments, dressed Elazar in them as his successor and then died.
The people then complained about having unsubstantial food. Hashem sent fiery serpents to attack them. The people then repented, and Hashem had Moses place a fiery serpent on top of his staff. This way, anyone who stared at it was looking upward towards Heaven and thus gazing at Hashem. That way, they would be healed.
Israel then came to the lands of Sihon and Og. Those lands would not let them pass, but they battled them and won.