Parashat: Chukat

Parashat: Chukat
Torah Reading: Numbers 19:1–22:1

“The Israelites arrived in a body at the wilderness of Zin on the first new moon, and the people stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died there and was buried there. The community was without water, and they joined against Moses and Aaron.”

— Numbers 20:1–2

The Midrash points out that the people were without water due directly to the death of Miriam — for it was through Miriam’s merit that a well of fresh water followed the Israelites in their wilderness wanderings. But why was the water attached to Miriam? One commentator points to her heroic efforts as she walked along the side of the Nile River as baby Moses floated on the waters. Just as she helped save Moses’ life through her efforts in that moment, God sent life-saving water throughout her life to sustain the people. For a moment after Miriam’s death, the people knew the sense of being without water. How have the actions of our loved ones who have passed brought “fresh water” into our lives?

— Rabbi Craig Axler