Weekly Torah Portion

• Torah
• Numbers 19:1 | Ceremony of the Red Heifer
• Numbers 20:1 | The Waters of Meribah
• Numbers 20:14 | Passage through Edom Refused
• Numbers 20:22 | The Death of Aaron
• Numbers 21:1 | The Bronze Serpent
• Numbers 21:10 | The Journey to Moab
• Numbers 21:21 | King Sihon Defeated
• Numbers 21:33 | King Og Defeated
• Numbers 22:1 | Balak Summons Balaam to Curse Israel
• Numbers 22:22 | Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel
• Numbers 22:41 | Balaam's First Oracle
• Numbers 23:13 | Balaam's Second Oracle
• Numbers 24:1 | Balaam's Third Oracle
• Numbers 24:15 | Balaam's Fourth Oracle
• Numbers 25:1 | Worship of Baal of Peor
• Prophets
• Mic 5:7 | The Future Role of the Remnant
• Mic 6:1 | God Challenges Israel
• Gospel
• Joh 11:1 | The Death of Lazarus
• Joh 11:17 | Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
• Joh 11:28 | Jesus Weeps
• Joh 11:38 | Jesus Raises Lazarus to Life
• Joh 11:45 | The Plot to Kill Jesus
• Joh 12:1 | Mary Anoints Jesus
• Joh 12:9 | The Plot to Kill Lazarus
• Joh 12:12 | Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
• Joh 12:20 | Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus
• Joh 12:27 | Jesus Speaks about His Death
• Joh 12:36 | The Unbelief of the People
• Joh 12:44 | Summary of Jesus' Teaching
• Joh 13:1 | Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
• Joh 13:21 | Jesus Foretells His Betrayal
• Joh 13:31 | The New Commandment
• Joh 13:36 | Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
• Joh 14:1 | Jesus the Way to the Father
• Joh 14:15 | The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Chukat

Chukat is the thirty-ninth reading from the Torah. The word chukat (חוקת) means “statute.” The name is derived from the second verse of the reading: “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded” (Numbers 19:2). Chukat presents the mysterious laws of the red-heifer ceremony for purification after contact with human death. This reading also contains the story of Moses striking the rock, the stories of the deaths of Aaron and Miriam and the wars with the Amorites. The portion concludes with the host of Israel encamping on the edge of the Promised Land.

Balak

Balak (Balak, בלק) was the name of a Moabite king in the days of Moses. It is also the name of the fortieth reading from the Torah. It comes from the second verse of this week’s reading, which says, “Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites” (Numbers 22:2). This week’s Torah reading tells the story of how Balak hires the occult prophet Balaam to lay a curse on Israel. Balaam meets resistance from God, has a conversation with his donkey and ends up blessing Israel instead of cursing them.

Chukat Commentary click here

Balak Commentary click here

Learn even more!

This Portions Commentary is adapted from Torah Club, a unique Bible Study program that will change your worldview! Join thousands of students who have enrolled and enrich your life! Click for more info »