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Torah: Numbers19:1 – 22:1
Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33
Besorah: John 16:12–28

This week’s Torah Portion Chukat draws us into some of the most mysterious and meaningful elements of Torah: the paradox of the red heifer, the loss of Miriam and Aaron, the sin of Moses and the rock, and Israel’s continued journey toward the Promised Land.

Through these narratives, we encounter the tension between death and life, obedience and rebellion, clarity and mystery. Yet in all this, God remains faithful, providing water, healing, and victory—even when His people fail to understand His ways.

You can download a printable copy of this portion along with study and reflection questions at the end of this post!

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Torah Portion Chukat: Numbers 19:1–22:1

Understanding the Portion

The portion opens with the laws of the Parah Adumah—the red heifer. A completely red, unblemished cow, never yoked, is slaughtered outside the camp, and its ashes are used to purify those who have become ritually impure through contact with the dead. This is a paradox: one who is clean becomes unclean in the act of preparing the ashes, while the unclean is made clean through the ashes of what is, essentially, a corpse.

This ritual points us toward deeper spiritual truths. While the impurity from a corpse is not moral but ritual—it prevents one from entering the sanctuary—it teaches that death brings distance from the presence of God. Yet through what appears to be death (ashes), we are restored.

We then read about Miriam’s death, the lack of water, and Moses striking the rock instead of speaking to it as commanded. Because of this, Moses is told he will not enter the Promised Land. His failure was not in providing water, but in misrepresenting God’s holiness and mercy.

The chapter continues with Aaron’s death, the bronze serpent lifted up to heal the people from snakebite, and Israel’s growing victories as they move closer to their inheritance.

Want to go deeper?
We have a free 8 Week Bible study that unpacks these themes in more depth:
Holy vs Profane – Understanding Ritual Purity and Moral Impurity in Scripture

A Little Nugget

In Numbers 21, when the people are bitten by serpents, God instructs Moses to place a bronze serpent on a pole. Anyone who looked at it would live. This is echoed in John 3:14, where Yeshua says:

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.”

Life comes not from logic, but from faith.

Application

We are reminded that God’s commands sometimes defy explanation. Like the red heifer, Yeshua’s crucifixion was a paradox; His death made us clean. Are we willing to obey even when we don’t fully understand? Are we careful, like Moses should have been, to represent God rightly? Even in our questions, God brings water from the rock and healing from the ashes.

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Haftarah: Judges 11:1–33

Understanding the Portion

This week’s Haftarah tells the story of Jephthah, a mighty warrior rejected by his brothers but later asked to lead Israel against the Ammonites. He agrees and begins diplomatic negotiations with the enemy, recounting Israel’s history to justify their presence in the land.

But before the battle, Jephthah makes a rash vow: if God grants him victory, he will offer as a burnt offering whatever comes out of his house to greet him. Tragically, it is his daughter.

This narrative shows both faith and folly. Jephthah knew God could deliver, but his vow showed a lack of understanding about God’s character and Torah. God had forbidden human sacrifice. His zeal was sincere but misdirected.

A Little Nugget

Jephthah is listed in Hebrews 11 among the heroes of faith. Even flawed people can be instruments of God’s deliverance, but we must pair our faith with wisdom and understanding of His Word.

Application

This portion reminds us that passion must be rooted in truth. In our eagerness to serve or impress God, we must not act impulsively or ignorantly. Are we submitting our zeal to the guidance of Scripture? God honors faith, but never calls us to sacrifice what He values most: life.

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Besorah: John 16:12–28

Understanding the Portion

In these verses, Yeshua prepares His disciples for what is to come; His death, resurrection, and the giving of the Holy Spirit. He acknowledges their confusion, saying, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot handle it now.” But He promises that the Spirit of truth will come and guide them into all truth.

He speaks of their sorrow turning to joy, using the image of a woman in labor. “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” He assures them of access to the Father through His name, and of a peace that surpasses understanding, even in tribulation.

A Little Nugget

Yeshua tells His disciples plainly, “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” This is the gospel in one sentence: incarnation, atonement, and ascension.

Application

These words are meant to bring comfort in the face of uncertainty. We don’t always see clearly but we have the Spirit. We don’t always feel joy but we have a promise. When life brings sorrow, can we trust that God is birthing something greater? The Spirit reminds us that the story isn’t over.

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Drash: Life From Death, Clarity From Mystery

At first glance, Chukat appears riddled with contradictions. A red heifer is sacrificed outside the camp to cleanse those who have come into contact with death, but the priest who performs the ritual becomes unclean.

Moses, the great leader of Israel, is told to speak to the rock, but in his anger, he strikes it and is denied entry into the Promised Land. Fiery serpents attack the people in judgment, yet healing comes from lifting a bronze image of that very curse.

These paradoxes are not accidents; they are invitations.

They call us to see that God’s ways often defy our expectations. Purity can come from ashes. Leadership requires restraint. Healing emerges from gazing upon what has harmed us.

And when we look to the Haftarah, Jephthah’s story reinforces the pattern. A man rejected by his family is raised up to deliver them. He relies on his knowledge of God’s history with Israel but falters when he tries to secure victory through a rash vow. His life shows us both the glory of being chosen by God and the caution needed when we speak presumptuously.

In the Besorah, Yeshua speaks with His disciples about departure, sorrow, and the coming of the Spirit. He acknowledges their confusion and prepares them for grief, but promises that their sorrow will turn into joy. Not just any joy, but the kind that no one can take away.

This week, all three readings challenge our categories.

We expect God to be straightforward, but He is deeper. We expect obedience to yield reward yet sometimes the consequences of our actions come painfully. We think sorrow and joy are opposites, but in the Kingdom of God, they often travel together.

So what do we learn?

• Faith doesn’t require full understanding, but it must be grounded in truth.
• God redeems our worst moments when we remain open to His Spirit.
• Purity, wisdom, and hope all find their source in the One who gave Himself to cleanse us once and for all.

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Hebrew Lesson for the Week: Tet (ט)

This week we focus on Tet (ט), the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Sound: “T” as in “tov” (good)
Numerical Value: 9
Appearance: Shaped like a coiled snake or a basket—curved inward, suggesting hiddenness or potential

How Tet Is Written

ט

It begins with a vertical stroke (a vav-like line) and wraps over itself, almost enclosing an empty space. This suggests something hidden or inward; a womb, a seed, or a concealed blessing.

Spiritual Meaning of Tet

Tet stands for tov (טוֹב), meaning “good.” In creation, God says “it is good” repeatedly, except on the second day. Tet reminds us that what is hidden can still be good, even if it isn’t immediately seen.

The Talmud teaches that Tet is shaped like a vessel, symbolizing the goodness we are meant to carry and pour out. It also teaches us humility; that true goodness may be hidden within the heart and character rather than outward appearance.

Application

• What hidden good is God cultivating in you right now?
• Are you willing to trust that even in difficulty, God is forming something tov?
• Tet reminds us to seek and reflect inner goodness, especially when the world prizes the external.

Hebrew Course

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Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society.  Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.

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