Torah Commentary

As a cantor, I have sat with families after an elderly parent or relative has died and seen their frustration and struggles when the relative has made no preparations for the end of their life.

Balak, the Moabite king, has a problem: the Israelites are encamped nearby, and he's nervous about enemies on his doorstep. He's got an army, but to secure his advantage he calls in a specialist, the star of this week's portion: Balaam the Sorcerer.

Our lived experience refutes the theory that sinners are punished and good people rewarded. Bad people sometimes succeed, good people face hardship, and most of us live somewhere in between, trying our best to live good lives, occasionally messing up and dealing with the consequences. This week's portion, Chukat, helps us imagine what we might do when those consequences are heavier than we expect - or deserve.

The namesake of this week's portion, Korach, is a troublemaker. Moses has barely led the people past the crisis of faith incited by the scouts when Korach, along with 250 community leaders, rises up in rebellion against Moses and Aaron's leadership.

Although we have an entire book and a half of the Torah left, the Israelites have already arrived at the border of the Promised Land as we start this week's portion, Sh'lach L'cha.