Torah Portion of the Week

Chukat-Balak חקת-בלק

Numbers 19:1–25:9

The double parsha of Chukat-Balak spans from the paradigmatic mystery of the Red Heifer to the dramatic encounter with Balaam the prophet. Chukat opens with the decree beyond reason — the Red Heifer whose ashes purify the impure but render the pure impure. The narrative then leaps to the fortieth year: Miriam dies, the well dries up, Moses strikes the rock and is told he will not enter the Land, Aaron dies atop Mount Hor, fiery serpents strike, and Israel defeats Sihon and Og. Balak then tells the extraordinary story from the enemy's perspective: the Moabite king hires Balaam to curse Israel, but three times Balaam blesses them instead — including the famous 'How goodly are your tents, O Jacob.' The parsha ends with the sin of Baal Peor and Pinchas's zealous act that halts a plague.


Locations in the Parsha

Biblical Places

Map of the Parsha

Biblical Locations


Section by Section

Parsha Outline


Prophetic Reading

Haftarah הפטרה

Micah 5:6–6:8

מיכה

Micah directly references Balak and Balaam — 'Remember what Balak king of Moab plotted' — encompassing the narrative of both parshiyot. The prophet's call to 'do justice and love mercy' unites the themes.




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