““Our parashah this week is Hukkat (say “choo-kaht”; sounds like “who caught”). Actually, this Hebrew word shares the same root word as a previous Torah portion. The last portion of Vayikra (Leviticus), known as Parashat B’chukkotai (say “b-choo-koh-tie”; the “ch” is as the “ch” in Bach) also comes from our root word. The root word from which our Torah portion’s title is taken is “choke” חֹק, and it means “statute, limit, ordinance, something prescribed.” This should not be confused with its synonym “Torah” which is also sometimes translated along these same lines. The main difference is the nuance that each word is attempting to convey: choke=ordinance; Torah=teaching.

Because the portion deals with a central Torah injunction (the ashes of the Red Heifer), I want to briefly repeat some of the important concepts concerning Torah as Law. Some of my material will actually come from the above-mentioned Torah portion of B’chukkotai.””

““The power of rumor…

Balak had not only heard of what terrible acts Isra’el had committed in destroying the ‘Emori, according to the first verse of our Torah portion, he also saw it! Did he witness it firsthand? Perhaps. Perhaps he saw the aftermath of the campaign and did the mental math. Whatever the case, the fame and reputation of HaShem was becoming more and more known among the tribes of Kena’an (Canaan). The offspring of Avraham was gaining a name for themselves: “the dreadful people who have come out of Egypt.”

Indeed, the LORD was working mightily among them!

But our opening sequence has Balak, king of Mo’av (Moab) seeking a way to destroy these seemingly unstoppable and numerous people. Based on his observation of their might (because of their sheer numbers), he decides that a military campaign is futile. Therefore, he decides to fight fire with fire: he hires the top pagan prophet of his day, Bil’am (Balaam).””