Parashat Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

Parashat Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1) finds the Israelites complaining again. This time they are thirsty. Now being thirsty really is a bad thing, and actually quite dangerous, but after all of the other miracles that had been performed for them, one would think that they would have anticipated another one to save the day. Moshe and Aaron ask God for help but something goes wrong with their implementation of the instructions. Sadly, we read of the deaths of Miriam and Aaron in this parasha, too.

God instructs Moshe and Aaron to bring their rods before the people and there they are to conjure up the water. Instead they hit the rock and the water comes out. Moshe is punished for doing this. Why? What is the big deal? He was human and showed his frustration with the Jewish people by smacking a rock. So what? Why should he have been punished like that?
For hitting the rock he is told he cannot cross over into the Promised Land; just for hitting a rock? Do you think that is fair? What is the point of this punishment? Couldn't God have forgiven this one misstep? Why or why not?
Neither Moshe nor Aaron say one word about the punishment? Why are they silent here? What do you do when you get in trouble? Do you argue? Is this case the same or different?
At the beginning of Chapter 20 we learn of Miriam's death and at the end we read about Aaron's death. In between is the story of the rock and the water. Whew! What a busy time. Miriam and Aaron both died before Moshe. Why do you think God wanted it that way? Could the reaction of Moshe and Aaron to their punishment have been related to the passing of their sister? How or why? Might their hitting the rock been related to it, too?
The people mourned for Aaron for 30 days. Why did they all mourn for him for that long? What was he famous for? What kind of person do you think he was? What do you think is the most important story or aspect of his life?