This week’s double Torah portion is Chukat – Balak.  “Chukat,” meaning “laws, ethics, and decrees” is found in Numbers 19:2.  After the failed rebellion, led by Korach, the Israelites continue their journey through the wilderness.  The L-rd teaches Moses the laws of the red heifer addressing the issue of purification needed by someone coming into contact with a dead body.  During this time Miriam dies, the wells dry up, and the Israelites once again complain that G-d brought them out of Egypt to a terrible place to die.  Moses and Aaron pray to the L-rd who tells Moses to command a rock to provide water in front of all the people. Moses, who is angry with the rebellious attitude of the Israelites and strikes the rock with his staff and water gushes out.  Due to this incident, the L-rd tells Moses that he will not enter the Promised Land.

“Balak” referring to Balak, the king of Moab, is found in Numbers 22:2.  As the Israelites were passing by Moab on their way to the Promised land, King Balak heard how the Israelites had defeated the Amorites that had attacked them.  King Balak is now afraid and summons the prophet Balaam in order to hire him to curse the Israelites. On his way to meet King Balak, Balaam is berated by his donkey who refuses to move forward on the road because he is being blocked by an angel of the Lord. Despite the Lord telling prophet Balaam not to go curse the children of Israel, he attempts to do it three times, from three different vantage points, but only blessings come forth from Balaam’s lips.

– What does this double portion have to do with antisemitism?
– What does Moses striking the rock have to do with him not being allowed
to reach the Promised Land?
– What can we learn from these parashiot?
– Please join us and let’s get into it!

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