Overview
This Torah portion, Chukat, outlines purification laws, narrates the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, and recounts key events as Israel progresses toward the promised land, including miraculous provisions, defeats of hostile kings, and preparatory encampments.
Laws of Purification
- A red heifer without defect is brought for ritual purification and burned outside the camp.
- The ashes are used to create water for impurity, applied to cleanse those made unclean by contact with the dead.
- Priests and others involved in the ritual must wash and remain unclean until evening.
- Anyone who touches a dead body is unclean for seven days and must be purified on the third and seventh days.
- Failure to cleanse results in being cut off from the community for defiling the LORD’s sanctuary.
- The purification process is a perpetual statute for both Israelites and sojourners.
The Death of Miriam
- Miriam dies and is buried in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Waters of Meribah and Moses’ Disobedience
- The people complain of a lack of water; Moses is instructed to speak to the rock.
- Moses strikes the rock instead, water flows, but God prohibits Moses and Aaron from entering the promised land due to their lack of faith.
Edom Refuses Passage
- Israel requests to pass through Edom peacefully; Edom refuses and threatens force, causing Israel to turn away.
The Death of Aaron
- Aaron is taken to Mount Hor, stripped of his garments, which are given to Eleazar, and dies; Israel mourns for thirty days.
Victory over Arad
- The Canaanite king of Arad attacks; Israel vows to destroy their cities if victorious.
- God grants victory, and the cities are devoted to destruction.
The Bronze Serpent
- The people complain, fiery serpents afflict them; Moses creates a bronze serpent for healing at God’s command.
The Song of the Well & Journeying
- Israel travels through various camps and celebrates God’s provision of water with a song.
- They continue moving through territories bordering Moab and the Amorites.
Defeat of King Sihon
- Sihon, king of the Amorites, refuses passage and attacks; Israel defeats him and occupies his land and cities.
Defeat of King Og
- Og, king of Bashan, confronts Israel; God reassures Moses, and Israel defeats Og and takes his territory.
Encampment in Moab
- Israel camps in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho, preparing for entry into Canaan.