Summary of The Weekly Torah Reading:
Parshas Chukas
Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section
is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person
"goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.
1st Aliya:
The laws of the Parah Adumah- the Red Heifer, are detailed.
2nd Aliya:
In Nissan of the 40th year, Miriam died. The well dried up and
the nation gathered against Moshe and Aharon to complain.
3rd Aliya:
The "hitting of the rock" occurred and Moshe and Aharon were
refused entry into Eretz Yisroel.
4th Aliya:
Moshe requested from Edom permission to travel through their land
on the way to Eretz Yisroel. Edom refused.
5th Aliya:
Aharon died and Elazar succeeded his father as Kohain Gadol.
They encountered the southern Cannanities (13 miles west of the Dead Sea) and
bested them in battle. Following Aharon's death the protective clouds
departed and the nation began to complain about the living conditions.
Hashem sent poisonous snakes to attack the nation and Moshe was
instructed to create the "copper snake on a stick" o miraculously save the
bitten.
6th & 7th Aliya:
The nation traveled to Yeshimon - northeast of the Dead
Sea. In the conclusion of Chukas, the nation was refused access to the lands
of Sichon and Og and Moshe led them into victorious battle against them.
Parsha Summary by Rabbi Aron Tendler
