Parashat Chukat 5785-5 July 2025 / 9 Tamuz 5785

Mr. Murthy Gaddi
Jul 3
6 min read

What Is the Deeper Message Behind the Red Heifer and the Trials in Parashat Chukat?

"WATERS OF TRANSITION: THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS, THE STRUCK ROCK, AND THE SHIFTING OF DIVINE LEADERSHIP IN THE WILDERNESS"

The events described in Parashat Chukkat— Miriam’s death, Moshes triking the rock, and Aharon’s death—are not isolated incidents, but are deeply interconnected in the writings of the Jewish sages. These moments reflect profound themes of leadership, spiritual transition, faith, and thee xile of the Shekhinah. Let us explore them one by one through the lens of Midrash, Rashi, Zohar, and Chassidut.

🕊 1. Miriam’s Death and the Disappearance of Water

📖 “The children of Israel came to the wilderness of Zin… and Miriam died there and was buried. And there was no water for the congregation…”— Numbers 20:1–2

🔹 Rashi (on v.2): “From here we learn that the well was given to them in the merit of Miriam.”
The Midrash (Ta’anit 9a) teaches that three miracles accompanied Israel in the wilderness:
- The manna (in the merit of Moshe)
- The clouds of glory (in the merit of Aharon)
- The well of water (in the merit of Miriam)

Thus, her death marks not just a personal loss, but the removal of a spiritual wellspring that sustained Israel. This water wasn't only physical; it represented nourishment from the Shekhinah, the feminine divine presence which Miriam embodied.

💧 2. The Rock and the Strike — Moshe’s Error

📖 “Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will give its water… And Moshe struck the rock twice…”— Numbers 20:8–11

🔹 Rashi (v.12):
“Because you did not believe in Me, to sanctify Me before the eyes of the children of Israel…”
🔹 Midrash Rabbah ( Chukkat 19:10 ):
God wanted Moshe to speak to the rock to teach Israel that even an inanimate stone listens to God’s word. How much more should human beings do so.
🔹 Zohar (Chukkat 180a–b):
The rock Moshe struck was not the same as before — he needed to draw supernal spiritual flow by speech, not physical force.
The deeper issue: Moshe and Aharon missed the chance to elevate the generation from physical miracles to spiritual speech, teaching faith and deveikut (cleaving to God) through dibur (speech), the essence of the divine soul.
Thus, their punishment — not entering the Land — reflects not anger but a spiritual mismatch: their leadership was suited to themiraculous wilderness era, not the concealed Providence of theLand of Israel.

🕯 3. The Death of Aharon on Mount Hor

📖 “Aharon shall be gathered to his people... Moshe stripped Aharon of his garments and clothed Elazar his son…”— Numbers 20:24–28

Aharon’s death is described without conflict and with great dignity, highlighting his role as Ohev Shalom v’Rodef Shalom—a peacemaker beloved by all.
🔹 Sifrei Bamidbar 157:
The entire nation, both men and women, wept for Aharon—unlike Moshe, for whom only the men are recorded to have wept.
This shows the unique quality of Aharon’s love and empathy, and how his passing marked the loss of loving leadership that mediated between Israel and God.

🔥 4. Elazar the Priest — A New Phase

With Aharon’s passing, his son Elazar assumes the high priesthood. The transfer of garments symbolizes a spiritual inheritance, passing the light and role of chessed (loving-kindness) into a new vessel.
🔹 Zohar ( Tzav 31a ):
The garments of the Kohen Gadol embody the Divine Names and channels of mercy. When passed to Elazar, it signifies the continuation of the Divine flow, but now in a generation transitioning from miracles to conquest.

🌄 5. Deeper Themes According to Chassidut and Kabbalah

🔹 Chassidic Insight:
- Miriam = water = the feminine flow of Shekhinah
- Moshe = da'at = spiritual intellect and leadership
- Aharon = chessed = the embodiment of peace and loving-kindness
When these three figures pass or are diminished, it signals the end of the supernatural generation of the desert, and the beginning of transition into natural redemption—the conquest of the Land, faith without open miracles, and the need for internalized leadership.
🔹 Rebbe Nachman of Breslov ( Likutei Moharan I:7 ):
Moshe’s mistake reflects a theme of emunah (faith) being tested not in great miracles, but inspeech and connection to the tzaddik. The goal is to teach the people to draw water (spiritual sustenance) through prayer and word, not physical force.

✨ Conclusion: The Sunset of the First Generation

The deaths of Miriam and Aharon, and Moshe’s striking of the rock, mark the closing of the era of divine miracles and open revelation, and the beginning of Israel’s preparation to enter the Land through effort, faith, and inner strength. It is a painful yet purposeful transition.

The sages teach us that even these difficult moments are filled with heavenly orchestration, and that every loss of the righteous leaves a void that draws us closer to the final redemption.

📖 “The death of the righteous atones like the Red Heifer.” — Leviticus Rabbah 20:1

List of the Red Heifers (Based on Rambam and Traditional Sources)

The primary halachic source comes from Maimonides (Rambam) in his Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Parah Adumah 3:4, where he outlines the tradition of ten red heifers:

“Nine red heifers were prepared from the time this commandment was given until the destruction of the Second Temple. The first was prepared by Moshe Rabbeinu. The second was prepared by Ezra the Scribe. Seven more were prepared from the time of Ezra until the destruction of the Second Temple. The tenth will be prepared by the King Mashiach. May he be speedily revealed, Amen, may it be the will [of God].”

Moshe prepared the first one,Ezra prepared the second. "The Sages say,’Seven Parot Adumot since Ezra. And who prepared them?Simeon the JustSimeon the Just prepared two Johanan the High PriestJohanan the High Priest prepared two Eliehoenai the son of Hokkof (Caiaphas) and Hanamel the Egyptian and Ishmael ben Piabi prepared one each."

The red heifer mitzva is an eternal statute (Numbers 19:10). This means:

It is not annulled by time, even without the Temple.
It remains relevant and prophetic, awaiting fulfillment in the days of Mashiach.

📜 Complete List of the Ten Red Heifers (According to Sages)

Drawing from Rambam, Talmudic tradition, and historical Midrash (as preserved by later authorities such as the Yalkut Shimoni and commentaries), the following names are identified:

🔢	Prepared By	Time Period	Notes
1️⃣	Moshe Rabbeinu	Wilderness (c. 1312 BCE)	Original; used throughout First Temple period
2️⃣	Ezra HaSofer	Early Second Temple	Returned from Babylonian exile
3️⃣	Shimon HaTzaddik (I)	Early Second Temple	Served 40 years as High Priest
4️⃣	Shimon HaTzaddik (II)	Later generation or same	May refer to long tenure or next generation
5️⃣	Yochanan Kohen Gadol(John Hyrcanus?)	Hasmonean period	Served 80 years
6️⃣	Yochanan Kohen Gadol (again)	Possibly again	Second red heifer or duplicate name
7️⃣	Eliehoenai ben Hakkof(Caiaphas?)	Second Temple	Possibly associated with Caiaphas
8️⃣	Chanamel the Egyptian(Hanamel HaMitzri)	Second Temple	Little known; late period
9️⃣	Yishmael ben Piabi	Before destruction	Known Kohen Gadol under Roman rule
🔟	King Mashiach	Future	Will usher the final redemption

CHUKAT-LAW

Get This Week’s Full Torah Lesson!

Join Beit Yisrael International to access this week’s comprehensive Torah lesson, crafted to illuminate the timeless teachings of the weekly Parashat Chukat 5785 Dive into a rich experience with in-depth insights, step-by-step explanations, and beautifully organized content that brings the Torah to life like never before.

Sign up today on the Beit Yisrael International website to enjoy exclusive content, connect with a vibrant community, and deepen your spiritual journey.

What’s Included:

A beautifully designed article featuring color-coded sections and animated insights.
A guided journey through the profound teachings of the Torah, presented with clarity and inspiration.
Exclusive access to enriching materials for free, specially offered to our dear friends and readers at Mnglobal.org.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom of the Torah, gain fresh perspectives on the Parsha, and connect with the deeper meanings of these sacred teachings.

Sign up now with Beit Yisrael International and start your Torah learning adventure today!

Check out Our Website As well as Beit Yisrael International's YouTube.

Beit Yisrael International is dedicated to fulfilling a heavenly mission—bringing the light of Torah and revealing the true light of Mashiach through the Weekly Parsha in 70 languages.

This mission aligns with the teachings of the Soul of the Tzaddik, as the light of the tzaddik reflects the principles of Jewish Chassidut and Kabbalah.

These teachings on Torah, Geula (redemption), Teshuvah (repentance), Mitzvot (commandments), and Malchut (Kingship) guide souls toward spiritual transformation.