PARASHOT HUKKAT AND BALAK

HUKKAT

Hukkat, means laws and ordinances whose reasons are not disclosed to us, laws which we are told to obey on the faith that they are the laws of Hashem.
This parsha describes the ritual involved in the sacrifice of the red
heifer, a ritual of cleanliness for those coming in contact with the
dead.  The central theme of Hukkat concerns the striking of the rock
(by Moshe) to get water, resulting in Hashem’s displeasure with Moshe and Aaron.  Hashem informs them that they had an opportunity to do a kidush Hashem and they blew it.  On account of their mistake they will not enter into the promised land and will die with the rest of the people in the desert. “Because you believed not in me, ye shall not
bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
The parsha also mentions the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, the
unsuccessful negotiations with the Edomites, the descendants of Esav, and the wars with Sichon, the Amorites and Og, King of Bshan.  The victories over these enemies helped raise the spirit of the people and gave them a proper perspective into conquering the land of Canaan. Moshe leads the people for forty years in the desert and as their journey comes to a close they prepare themselves to enter the land. They are no longer slaves but a new generation which has forged a new beginning and future for their children.
We are living in a very similar new generation with a re-born State of
Israel.  A generation given the opportunity to once again have its
people, the Jews of the world raise our heads in pride and honor
regardless of where we live.

BALAK

Balak is a parsha with so much intrigue and suspense that it boggles the mind. The parsha centers on Bilam (the evil sorcerer) and his relationship with Balak, king of Moab.  Both Moab and his neighbor Midian, plotted against Israel.  This plot, the outcome of “causeless hatred”, (anti-semitism) was then, as it is now, the source of the most
terrible cruelties in human relations.  The Moab king seeks the aid of
Bilam, who has a far-famed reputation as a sorcerer whose curse is
destructive.  The Israelites are peacefully settled on the border of
Moab, but Balak and his people are filled with fear, afraid that the
Israelites are planning to attack them.  This is comparable to our
situation today as the Arabs are always attacking and planning
nefarious plots against the Jewish State and Jews throughout the
globe.
Because we are the people freed from slavery and know the shackles of such servitude, we have always been open to understanding the plight of those less fortunate.  It is due to this that we are capable to
reach out to our enemies and offer an olive branch in hopes of finding
a peaceful solution.  It is because of who we are that we are involved
in every major cause for relief and peace in the world today.
Because we are the people of the book, and education is at the root of
who we are, we Jews have remained literate.  Because of our
monotheism, our intellectual powers have been heightened.  Because our portable Mishkan (Tabernacle) did not tie us down to any specific
place, we could move toward opportunity in every society without
giving up our identity.
The parsha tells us that we, Israel, have always been a people apart;
a people isolated and distinguished from other people by our religion
and moral laws.  Jews are a people with a unique destiny.  We have
remained alive as a people through the centuries because we have
always been active agents instead of passive bystanders.   Let us
continue to strive to be a moral and honorable people, wanting peace
and living for peace in our time; a peace with Torah, honor and
security.