Chukat, HuQath, Hukath, or Chukkas (חֻקַּת ‎—Hebrew for "decree," the ninth word, and the first distinctive word, in the parashah) is the 39th weekly Torah portion (פָּרָשָׁה ‎, parashah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the sixth in the Book of Numbers.

The name of the Parshah, "Chukat," means "Statute" and it is found in Numbers 19:2. Moses is taught the laws of the red heifer, whose ashes purify a person who has been contaminated by contact with a dead body.

זֹאת חֻקַּת הַתּוֹרָה - This is the rule of the Torah. Because Satan and the nations of the world taunt Israel, saying: “What is this commandment and what meaning does it have for you?” it is referred to as a חֻקָּה “rule,” i.e., it is a decree issued by Me and you have no permission to doubt it s relevance. זֹאת חֻקַּת הַתּוֹרָה.

Miriam, whose death is recorded in Parashat Chukat, embodied the honor and glory of the women of Israel. Comparing Moses to Yiftah raises questions about when we should be people of speech and when we should be people of action. Though we may challenge the severity of Moses' and Aaron's punishment, we affirm sacredness by trying to comprehend it.

Jun 20, 2001 · The name of the Parshah, "Chukat," means "Statute" and it is found in Numbers 19:2. Moses is taught the laws of the red heifer, whose ashes purify a person who has been contaminated by contact with a dead body. After forty years of journeying through the desert, the people of Israel arrive in the wilderness of Zin.

Jewish texts and source sheets about Parashat Chukat from Torah, Talmud and other sources in Sefaria's library. Chukat (“Law Of”) opens by describing the process of burning the red heifer and using its ashes for purification.

Moses is given the unusual ritual law (chukat hatorah) of the Red Heifer (parah adumah), whose ashes purify those contaminated by contact with death. This ritual is considered chok within the Jewish tradition, meaning that it makes no rational sense.

Chukat is the thirty-ninth reading from the Torah. The word chukat 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 page displays the Diaspora Torah reading for Chukat. The Israel schedule is used by Jews living in modern Israel. Torah Portion: Numbers 19:1-22:1. Chukat (“Law Of”) opens by describing the process of burning the red heifer and using its ashes for purification.

Parashat Chukat: Summary. God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the red heifer; Miriam dies; Moses hits a rock to bring forth water rather than speaking to it; Aaron dies. By Nancy Reuben Greenfield