red heifer – Road to Zion

Chukat (Regulations) B’midbar(Numbers) 19:1-22:1

Torah Portion: Chukat (Regulations) B’midbar(Numbers) 19:1-22:1

Haftorah Reading Judges 11:1-33

This Torah portion is one of the more difficult portions to understand on several levels. The name, chukat, gives us a hint to its difficulty. The word, when used as it is here, can mean regulations. The root of the word means to engrave, as in stone or metal, something that is meant to endure. Chok, the singular form of the word always means something that, on the surface, seems to be illogical or impossible to grasp. In our portion we read where the people involved in preparing the ashes of the red heifer became unclean. However, when those ashes were applied to a person, who was unclean from being in contact with a dead body, that person became clean again. For an Israelite, being unclean by contact with death meant they were excluded from worshiping G-d in the Temple. That person could not come into the confines of the Temple until they were cleansed by the ashes of the red heifer.

Chukat (Ordinances) Numbers (B’Midbar) 19-22

Torah Portion Chukat (Ordinances) Numbers (B’Midbar) 19-22

Haftorah Reading: Judges 11:1-33

Today we read a Torah portion about the death of both of Moshe’s siblings, Aaron and Miriam. We also read of the remedy for being ritually unclean. You could become ritually unclean by being with or in the house of someone who had died. The only remedy for this level of uncleanness was to be sprinkled with water that contained the ashes of a red heifer.

Chukat (Statutes) B’Midbar(Numbers) 19-22

Torah Portion: Chukat B’Midbar(Numbers) 19-22

Haftorah Reading: Judges 11:1-33

Tonight we read one of the more difficult Torah portions to understand. It includes the death of Miriam and Aaron. It contains the verses giving Moshe notice that he will not be allowed to enter the Land, his dream and goal for over 40 years of his life. Even the name Chukat, hints at the difficulty in understanding what we are about to read. We will try to bring some clarity to this portion over the next few minutes together.

Chukat (Ordinance) B’Midbar (Numbers) 19-22

Torah Portion: Chukat (Ordinance) B’Midbar 19-22

Haftorah Reading: Judges 11:1-33

Tonight we read a Torah section that includes two passages that are difficult to completely understand. The first is the “Red Heifer.” When we read the verses about the preparation and use of the ashes of the red heifer we see a process that cleanses one person from ritual impurity, because of contact with a dead body, while at the same time causing the priest, who is involved, to become unclean in the process. How can this be? I think we will be able to answer this riddle over the next few minutes.

Chukat (Ordinance) Numbers 19-22

This week we read the Torah section named “Chukat” or “Ordinance” in English. It opens with the laws concerning the red heifer. In Hebrew the word Chok means a commandment that may seem illogical to us but never the less is commanded by G-d. It is said that even King Solomon, in all his wisdom, could not rationalize the commandments of the red heifer. Sometimes we can’t understand with our human reasoning why G-d has said something but still we know it is from Him. This calls for discernment on our part so that we don’t go off on some wild goose chase. Therefore, we must know His word that we not be deceived.

Chukat (Degree) B’midbar Numbers 19-20

Torah Portion: Chukat (Decree) B’midbar (Numbers) 19:1-21:1

HafTorah: Judges 11:1-33

Tonight we read the Torah portion Chukat or Decree. In this Torah portion we read of the death of both Miriam and Aaron her brother. This leaves Moses alone, the last of his siblings. We also read of the incident of bringing forth water from the rock and the decree of the Red Heifer.

In Numbers 19 we read of this decree of Torah. It tells what is to be done to cleanse a person who is defiled by a dead body. This ritual uncleanness would bar a person from participating in the Temple life of Israel until they were cleansed by the ashes of the red heifer. Always remember this kind of defilement had nothing to do with sin but only barred a person from the corporate worship at the Temple or Mishkan. Interestingly after this decree we are told of the death of two of the leaders of Israel.

Metzora Lev 14:1-15:33

Torah Portion: Metzora Leviticus 14:1-15:33

HafTorah: II Kings 7:3-20

First let’s finish up last week. We were going to cover those things that Yeshua and His family did which would be examples of Torah. So let us take a look at what you have found. First, He was circumcised on the 8^th day. (Luke 2:21) At 13 He appeared in Jerusalem at the time of his coming of age. He kept the Passover and Sabbath. (Mark 1:21, Mark 6:2, Matt. 5:18)

Hukath (Regulation) Num. 19:1-22:1

Torah Portion: Hukath (Regulation) Numbers (B’Midbar) 19:1-22:1

HafTorah: Judges 11:1-33

New Testament: John 3:9-21; 4:3-30; 12:27-50

Tonight we look at one of the harder things in Torah to understand. The Red Heifer here in the opening verse we read hukath Torah – The decree of the Torah. It is as if the Torah is saying “This is the point of the whole Torah.” A verse in the New Testament, Mark 12:30-31, reflects the same kind of idea. Here Yeshua gives an answer to a question that was meant to trip Him up. Love G-d and love your neighbor. What do the two have to do with each other?