Chukat

When Is Chukat Read?

July 13, 2024 / 7 Tammuz 5784

July 5, 2025 / 9 Tammuz 5785

Summary

The laws of the red heifer to purify a person who has had contact with a corpse are given. (19:1-22)
The people arrive at the wilderness of Zin. Miriam dies and is buried there. (20:1)
The people complain that they have no water. Moses strikes the rock to get water for them. God tells Moses and Aaron they will not enter the Land of Israel. (20:2-13)
The king of Edom refuses to let the Children of Israel pass through his land. After Aaron's priestly garments are given to his son Eleazer, Aaron dies. (20:14-29)
After they are punished for complaining about the lack of bread and water, the Israelites repent and are victorious in battle against the Amorites and the people of Bashan, whose lands they capture. (21:4-22:1)

Ten Minutes of Torah: Chukat Commentary

female-feet-with-text-sorry-written-on-asphalt

Growth Means Taking Responsibility

By: Beth Ellen Young

Chapter 20 of the biblical book of Numbers could be renamed "The Transition of Leadership." Approaching this chapter, the leadership triumvirate of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam guide the Israelite people based on God's direction. The chapter begins with Miriam's death. After Miriam dies, the people complain about the lack of water. In God's response, Moses and Aaron are told they will not enter the promised land. The first part of this prophecy is brought to fruition at the end of the chapter when Aaron dies.

More Chukat Commentaries

In the End, There Was Love

Experiencing Torah Through Reckless Abandon in the Wilderness

Grappling with Death and the Need to Mourn

Chukat for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps

Living in the Golden Mean

The Jewish People Comes of Age

Holy Cow

Finding Meaning in Tradition

The Death of Miriam, the Death of Aaron, the Death of Moses, the Death of Me

Mourning the Passage of a Generation

Video: Learn More About Parashat Chukat

Learn More About Parashat Chukat With Bim Bam

In Parshat Chukat, when a plague of burning snakes attacks the wandering Israelites, Moses gets to work on a curious plan to stop the fearful biting. Malki Rose joins us from Melbourne, Australia to talk about the legacy of snakes in the Bible, and what we can do about them. Enjoy this video and others with Bim Bam.