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Shiurim & Adult Education
THOUGHTS ON CHUKAT BY SIMONE GREENBAUM
This week’s sedrah, Chukat, begins with the ‘law’ (chok) of the red Heifer. Chukim such as the Red Heifer and Kashrut. Moshe learned all the rules and laws associated with the red Heifer and how the ashes of such an animal purified an individual who had been in contact and contaminated by a met (dead body).
Sadly, the theme of death continues in this parasha where we see the loss of two of the greatest leaders of the Bnei Yisrael in the midbar, namely Miriam and Aaron. Both individuals played their own unique roles not just for the Klal, but for Moshe both as his siblings and as a team of great people. Moshe owed his life from a very young infant to his sister’s quick thinking, and she nurtured him and guided him throughout his life. She was also an incredible influence in her role supporting the women of Bnei Yisrael. Aaron in his role as the Kohen Gadol was also by Moshe’s side. The parasha proceeds to talk about the deaths of both siblings, Miriam and Aaron.
The Bnei Yisrael had spent 40 years wandering through the midbar (desert) and they arrived in Kadesh. After her death, Miriam was buried in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. The Bnei Yisrael once more started to complain, this time for water. A water well was created in Miriam’s memory. Hashem spoke with Moshe and told him to ask the rock for water. In what is perceived as a moment of anger, Moshe hit the rock twice instead of simply commanding it to give water. The rock provided the Bnei Yisrael with water, but Moshe and Aaron received the ultimate punishment and did not merit to enter Eretz Yisrael.
I have always felt that Hashem’s punishment to Moshe was unnecessarily harsh given the recent loss of his sister Miriam. Even a leader as great as Moshe must have been impacted by his grief for his sister, despite his whole lifetime of experience of dealing with the Bnei Yisrael. He also wasn’t the right leader to take the Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael. Hashem knew that the people would face war and battles and as such Yehoshua ben Nun, as a military man, was the right fit for this job.
Moshe then asks the King of Edom for the Bnei Yisrael to pass through his kingdom for them to enter Canaan; a request which is refused. Aaron passes away and his son Elazar succeeds him as the Kohen Gadol. Once again, the Bnei Yisrael continue to complain, this time about Moshe and Hashem. The Bnei Yisrael are punished this time with snakes in the camp. Hashem instructs Moshe to put a serpent on top of a tall rod and acknowledges that those who gaze up to shomayim will have a refua.
The Bnei Yisrael sang a song to thank Hashem for the well and for the water in the midbar. The parasha closes with Moshe leading the Bnei Yisrael to success in territorial battles with both Kings Sichon and Og.
Shabbat shalom
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