Torah Commentary - Chukat
*Commentary courtesy of Menahem Me-Zahav
Our Sidra is named after one word at its beginning: “Zoht Chukat Ha’Torah – This is the law of the Torah” (19:2). It details the ritual of The Red Heifer Parah Adumah. The ashes of the Red Heifer were used in purifying a person. For example, someone touching a dead animal. There have been many attempts by commentators of every generation to come up with a logical explanation to the ritual of the Parah Adumah. Since none could stand up to the challenge, it was agreed that this one particular command is an order of God that cannot be questioned. The Midrash tells us that even King Solomon, known to be the wisest man on earth, could not explain this command of God.
Years are passing and the Torah now tells us of the death of Miriam in the desert town of Kadesh. Following Miriam’s death, we’re told that the Israelites didn’t have water to drink. According to Midrash, a well of water was always accompanying the Israelites in the desert, thanks to Miriam who saved baby Moses from drowning in the waters of Egypt. Following Miriam’s death, the well dried up. The Israelites complain to Moses: “It would have been better if we had perished with our brethren before God (during Korach’s rebellion). Why did you bring us to the desert to die from thirst”? (20:3-4) God tells Moses to talk to the rock which in turn gives water for the entire Israelite community. Moses, according to some commentators, is taunted by the people who provoke him by ridiculing his cane (The Matteh - Hebrew) and suggesting him hit the rock with it. Moses angrily responds: “Listen you O rebels can we get water from this rock?” (20:10) Moses loses his temper and hits the rock twice. Lots of water pours out of the rock. God punishes Moses and Aaron for hitting the rock instead of talking to it and they did not enter the Promised Land.
The remainder of the Sidrah deals with the followings: Moses asks the Edomites to pass through their land and they refused. The Israelites ended up bypassing them to avoid war. The Edomites’ land was not destined to be taken over by the Israelites. It was promised by Isaac to his son Esau the Edomite. The Israelites reach Hor Ha’har (The tall mountain), Aaron dies and is buried on the mountain. The new Kohen Gadol is now his oldest son Eeleazar. Soon after Aaron’s death they are attacked by the Canaanites, the Israelites crush them and take over their land.
Another rebellion is quelled by God who is sending snakes as punishment. King Sichon the Amorite and Og the Ammonite King of “Bashan” are attacking and are both decisively defeated. Their land, mainly consisting of Gilead (currently Kingdom of Jordan) was taken over by Moses and given to the three tribes (Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh) and it will become their share in the Promised Land.
Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33, Page 910
The promised land of Israel was successfully settled under the leadership of Joshua. Joshua retired to his tribal land (Ephraim) and died a few years later (circa 1180 BCE). For the next 150 years, the land had no permanent governing body. Invaders took advantage of the situation and grabbed Israeli land. The vacuum in leadership was filled by a judge who would rise to the occasion, assemble volunteers to create an army and defeat the invading enemy. The judge ruled the country until his/her death. In 150 years ten of these judges played a vital role in our history. Therefore, the 7th book of the Bible was named Judges.
Our Haftarah deals with the 6th judge Jephthah (Yiftach). Driven out of Gilead by his own family, he becomes a notable military hero. When the land of Gilead is facing imminent disaster through war with the powerful Ammonite kingdom, the elders of Gilead have no alternative but to turn to Jephthah in a bid to save them. He accepts on one condition, if he is successful, he will become their judge for the rest of his life. Despite being a man of war, Jephthah tries to avoid war through negotiation. In his message to the enemy, Jephthah outlines in great detail the legitimate rights of the Israelites to their country. God gave them the land 300 years earlier. It was the result of Israeli’s victory when they were attacked by two Ammonite kings, Sichon and Og. The war against the two kings mentioned here by Jephthah (11:20) is described at the end of the Sidrah as well. It serves as linkage between the two. The Ammonites reject his peace offer. Jephthah mobilizes the Israelites, carries the battle into the enemy’s territory and totally defeats the Ammonites; who cease to be any threat to the Land of Israel. Twenty major Ammonite cities, including Abel Cheramim, are occupied. Jephthah’s personal tragedy of losing his own daughter is now about to unfold.
Places in Israel carrying Biblical names. Kibbutz Cheramim in the northern Negev is named after the mentioned city of Abel Cheramim (11:32-33).
