Parashat Chukat 5782

by Rabbi Margie Cella

Parashat Chukat begins with the strange ritual of the red heifer: a cow with no blemishes, never yoked, pregnant, or milked that is sacrificed by the priests, who then mix the ashes with pure water; this water is then used to purify anyone who has become impure through contact with the dead.

Next we read that Miriam died; afterwards the people complained to Moses and Aaron because there was no water. The brothers sought guidance from God, Who instructed Moses to gather the people and speak to a rock which would then bring forth water. Instead, Moses hit the rock twice and water came out in abundance. Since he had not followed God’s instructions, however, God told Moses and Aaron that they would not bring the people into the land.

The people next traveled to Mount Hor, where God decreed that Aaron would die; Moses took him and Eleazar up to the mountain, where the high priest’s garments were transferred from father to son. The nation mourned Aaron for thirty days.

Chapter 21 chronicles the nation’s travels through the desert, defeating the Canaanites and the Amorites along the way, finally coming to the plains of Moab on the banks of the Jordan River. This chapter is reflected in the haftarah: Jephthah is called upon to lead the nation when the Ammonites, whose king claims that Israel had stolen his land on their way from Egypt to Canaan, declare war on Israel. Jephthah responds by citing incidents from the parashah: though the kings of Edom, Moab, and the Amorites were asked to allow Israel to pass through their land, they refused; when they chose instead to attack, God delivered them into Israel’s hands. These events are recounted in verses 21:21-25 of the parashah and 11:19-22 of the haftarah. Thus, Jephthah shows that Israel had a legitimate claim to the land.

Both Israel and Jephthah made vows to the Lord if God would guarantee their success: Israel vowed to destroy the cities of their enemies and they followed through (21:2-3). Jephthah vowed to sacrifice whatever first came out of his house to welcome him home; the haftarah ends before we read the disastrous consequences of his flippant vow: upon his return from battle, his daughter was first to come out to greet him, and he, too, followed through.

Showing our gratitude to God is an important part of our spiritual lives. But it needs to be done in an appropriate manner: observing the mitzvot, doing acts of chesed for others—things which reflect both our love of God, and God’s love for us and our fellow human beings.