The laws of the Parah Adumah -- the red heifer -- are detailed. These laws of ritual purification are to be used when someone has come into contact with death. After the nation `wanders` for nearly 40 years in the desert, Miryam passes away and is buried at Kadesh. The people complain about the loss of their water supply which until then has been provided for them miraculously in the merit of Miryam`s righteousness. Aharon and Moshe pray for the people`s welfare. HaShem commands them to gather the nation at Merivah, and speak to a designated rock so that water will flow forth from it. Distressed by the people`s lack of faith, Moshe hits the rock instead of speaking to it. He thus fails to produce the intended public demonstration of HaShem`s power over the world which would have resulted if the rock had produced water as a result of him only speaking to it. Therefore, HaShem tells Moshe and Aharon that they will not bring the people into the Land. The Beney Yisrael resume their travels, but because the King of Edom, a descendant of Esav, denies them passage through his country, they do not travel the most direct route to Erets Yisrael.
This week's Torah reading
Balak
Balak, the king of the Moav, is in morbid fear of the Beney Yisrael. He summons a renowned sorcerer named Bil’am to curse them. First, HaShem appears to Bil’am and forbids him to go. But because Bil’am is so insistent, HaShem appears to him a second time and permits him to go. While en route, a malach (angel, messenger from HaShem) blocks the path of Bil’am's donkey. Unable to contain his frustration, Bil’am strikes the donkey each time it stops or wants to make a detour. Miraculously, the donkey speaks, asking Bil’am why he is hitting her. The malach instructs Bil’am what he is permitted to say and what he is forbidden to say regarding the Jewish People. When Bil’am arrives, King Balak makes elaborate preparations in the hope that Bil’am will succeed in the planned curse. Three times Bil’am attempts to curse, and three times a blessing issues instead. Balak, seeing that Bil’am has failed, sends him home in disgrace. The Beney Yisrael begin sinning with the Moavi women, and worshipping the Moavi idols, and are punished with a plague. One of the Jewish leaders brazenly brings a Midianite princess into his tent, in full view of Moshe and the people. Pinchas, a grandson of Aharon, grabs a spear and kills both evildoers. This halts the plague, but not before 24,000 have died.Read more
