Chukat

In this parsha

The parsha opens with the red heifer, whose ashes purify those defiled by contact with a corpse, a decree that defies human reason. Miriam dies and the well ceases; when the people thirst, God tells Moses to speak to the rock, but he strikes it, and he and Aaron are barred from entering the Land. Aaron dies on Mount Hor. After a plague of serpents healed by the copper snake, Israel sings of the well and defeats Sihon and Og in battle.

Themes

• Chok: faith beyond reason
• Torah engraved on the self
• Opening the well of Torah
• Purification through the para adumah
• Oral Torah drawn through toil
• Speech versus striking the rock

Must-read teachings

1. 1Engraving Torah upon the SelfIn the holy Zohar it is explained, "the chukah (statute) of the Torah," whereas in other places it is written "and this (v'zos) is the Torah." The Zohar notes that the Torah is sometimes called a "chukah" (statute) and sometimes introduced …תרל"א
2. 2Hidden Reasons of ChukimIn the Midrash: "This is the statute (chukah) of the Torah" (Numbers 19:2) — that the nations of the world taunt Israel, saying: What is the reason for this commandment, and so forth. The piece opens with a Midrash noting that the gentile n…תרמ"ד
3. 3Well Connected to Its SourceConcerning the mouth of the well that was created at twilight of the eve of Shabbos, of which it is written, "Drink water from your own cistern (bor), and flowing waters from your own well (be'er)" (Proverbs 5:15) — for our Sages taught tha…תרנ"ב
4. 4Vessels Opening the WellConcerning the mouth of the well, which was created at twilight on the eve of the first Shabbos. The piece opens with the well of Miriam, one of the special things the Sages say was created in the primordial twilight before the first Shabbo…תרמ"ה
5. 5Speech Versus Striking the RockRegarding the Waters of Strife (mei merivah), where it says "Because you did not... before the eyes of Bnei Yisrael, therefore you shall not bring..." (Numbers 20:12), we have already written elsewhere that this was not a punishment but rat…תרמ"ו
6. 6Oral Torah Through GatheringRegarding the Song of the Well, in which Moshe Rabbeinu is not mentioned: here is where the aspect of the Oral Torah began, as it is written, "Gather the people and I will give them water" (Numbers 21:16) — for it is written, "Moshe command…תרנ"א
7. 7Israel's Merit in MiraclesConcerning the waters of Meribah, and the verse "Then Israel sang this song" (Numbers 21:17). The piece opens by linking the episode of the waters of Meribah with the song Israel sang over the miraculous well in the desert. And Moshe Rabbei…תר"נ
8. 8Truth and Faith in LeadershipRegarding the Song of the Well, in which the name of Moshe Rabbeinu is not mentioned, etc. The piece opens by noting a striking feature of the Song of the Well sung by Israel in the wilderness: unlike other songs, Moshe's name is absent fro…תרמ"ג