Friday, June 22, 2018

CHUCK KOLB 06/22/2018

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Chukat - the Red Heifer - Bridge from Impurity to Purity !!!

Previously posted ...
Easy Rider Sorry for Hitting Your Wall !!!
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2018/06/chuck-kolb-06212018.html 

Welcome to Chukat (Decree), this week’s Torah portion that will be read in synagogues all around the world this Shabbat (Saturday).  We know you will be blessed as you study Chukat along with us.  Enjoy!


Last week in Parasha Korach, the Levite Korach incited mutiny against Moses.  He and 250 chieftains of Israel questioned the anointed position of Moses as leader and Aaron as high priest. This week’s Torah portion, called Parasha Chukat, presents the ritual laws of the Parah Adumah (פָרָה אֲדֻמָּה / Red Heifer) and the deaths of Aaron and the prophetess Miriam, Moses and Aaron's sister.

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ... 
Chukat: Miriam and the Bridge from Impurity to Purity published in 5775 

http://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/chukat-miriam-the-bridge-from-purity-to-impurity/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/category/torah 

Parasha Reading Schedule 5778 
http://free.messianicbible.com/torah-reading-schedule 

Why Are Christians Adopting Jewish Practice of Studying the Weekly Torah Portion?
https://theisraelbible.com/christians-adopting-jewish-practice-studying-weekly-torah-portion/

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – YHVH Sabaoth 
The name YHVH Sabaoth is used 235 times in the Bible. 
http://free.messianicbible.com/feature/holy-holy-holy-lord-hosts-yhvh-sabaoth/ 

The Prophetic Significance of the Passover Lamb 
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/the-prophetic-significance-of-the-passover-lamb/ 

Simchat Torah: Celebrating Yeshua – the Word That Dwells Among Us
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/dancing-joy-simchat-torah/ 

Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday - The Feast of Tabernacles !!! 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2017/10/chuck-kolb-10082017.html 

Jewish holiday calendars & Hebrew date converter 
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm - https://www.hebcal.com 
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day 

The Daniel Timeline 
http://www.davidjayjordan.com/Danieltimeline.html 

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Parshat Chukat 

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2959/jewish/Chukat-in-a-Nutshell.htm 
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=6/23/2018 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ... 

Weekly Torah Portion: Chukat 

The Thin Red Line: Parashat Chukat describes so many seemingly unrelated events, yet it is the profound fundamental truth contained in the commandment of the red heifer - parah adumah - that ties all these events so tightly together. The teaching was originally recorded in 2014. 

Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1) Parashat Chukat is read on Shabbat: Tammuz 10, 5778 / June 23, 2018 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ude9-6PF58E (29:35) 
https://www.youtube.com/user/henryporter2/videos 
Published on June 20, 2018 - The Temple Institute  
https://www.templeinstitute.org/events.htm 
http://www.templeinstitute.org/ 
Weekly Newsletter - http://is.gd/4BUvi 

Temple Talk, with Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven was not recorded this week due to illness. We hope to have a new show next Tuesday, at our usual time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...  

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/  https://israel365.com/ 

The Portion of Chukat 
https://theisraelbible.com/reading-plan/book-numbers/portion-chukat/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/weekly-torah-portion/  

The Israel Bible side-by-side English and Hebrew text along with audio being read in Hebrew.
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/genesis/chapter-1#verse-1 
https://theisraelbible.com/hebrew-alphabet-chart/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/proper-noun-directory/
https://theisraelbible.com/glossary/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/maps 

Israel’s Top Startups Promoting Biblical Values
by Eliana Rudee

But what they may underestimate is the uniqueness of Israel, the Jewish State, in its inherent desire to actualize Jewish and biblical values. Whether consciously or not, many of Israel’s greatest startups promote biblical values and disproportionately change the lives of billions of people around the world.
Here are some examples: 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/109702/israels-top-startups-promoting-biblical-values/ 

Indictment Reveals Hamas Paid Gazan Family $2,200 to Accuse IDF of Killing Baby
by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz

Mahmoud Omar, one of those indicted, was related to Layla and he told Israeli Security Forces that prior to his taking part in the riots on May 14, his mother told him that Layla’s parents had called to say that she had died from a blood disease. Layla’s brother died from a similar blood disorder in 2017 at the age of six-months.
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/109813/indictment-reveals-hamas-paid-gazan-family-2200-to-accuse-idf-of-killing-baby/ 

An End to the UN’s Human-Rights Farce
by Voice of Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism for his willingness to flout tradition and engage in needless fights with friends while at the same time ingratiating foes. Trump seems at times to view the world as a Hobbesian war of all against all, in which the United States has no real allies or enemies. But there are times when his instinctive distrust of the foreign-policy establishment isn’t just on point. It’s absolutely necessary. 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/109778/an-end-to-the-uns-human-rights-farce-opinion/ 

2 FREE bumper stickers - I Stand with Israel 
http://www.shilohisraelchildren.org/free-bumper-stickers/ 
Hebrew “Trump 2016” Bumper Sticker 
https://israel365.com/store/i-love-israel/hebrew-trump-2016-bumper-sticker 

Jared and Ivanka Special w Joseph, Arabella and Theodore ... 
Shana Tova u'Metuka! - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZR6YcDFLXt/ 
Joseph and the Sycamore tree - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaSQ1Z7lNVa/ 
Mazel Tov - Jared and Ivanka 8th Anniversary - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BasPPXSFBYP/ 
Family Trip - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb4eb1yFrtS/ 
Theodore Peek-a-boo - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVt1CAl311/ 
Happy Chanukah! - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcnw9Yll2hO/ 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc3WutUlcmf/ 
Joseph's Fish at Mar-a-Lago - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdK8PpxFprP/ 
Jared's 37th Birthday - 5778 w <3 Ivanka 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdyjoD4lk6X/
Ivanka in Pittsburgh - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeG80HZlihT/ 
Joseph Flies Air Force One - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BewO8OVlSQH/ 
Black n White and Arabella - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf45VDGlBfT/ 
Scientist Ivanka at Waukee APEX, IA - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BghW-Y8Fgdx/ 
Theodore Turns Two - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgwikqalE0L/ 
Airport Diner Fun in Manchester - 5776,78
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhrz5-JlSm1/ 
Theodore Spring Planting - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhu1hIqFCsU/
Instavid French Cuisine - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh-q23qlKm3/  
Arabella #JCC Activities - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiKVJUHlIL2/ 
Welcome Home Instavid - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bimagj0FNLa/ 
Embassy Dedication - Lyar 29, 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Biw8rt7Fv79/
Theodore at WH Lunchtime - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjLI7HMFjdg/ 
Ivanka w Herschel Walker - WH Sports and Fitness Day - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjcTOJIFmGh/ 
Theodore My <3 - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjSXlG1lTuj/ 
Little Ivanka Happy Birthday Dad - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkAQVCWl81i/ 
Fam Photo #FathersDay - We <3 U - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkIzWo7Fpr_/ 

https://www.instagram.com/ivankatrump/ 
https://twitter.com/ivankatrump  
http://ivankatrump.com/ 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 16+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION 

Analysis: Why Jordan Is Worried About Trump’s Peace Plan
Any change to Jordan’s custodianship over the holy sites in Jerusalem could undermine King Abdullah
by Amos Harel - HAARETZ

Earlier this week, Israel and Jordan made an unusual announcement – that Netanyahu would meet in Amman with King Abdullah. Just a year ago, there was a major, public crisis between the two countries over the stationing of metal detectors on the Temple Mount and an incident in which an Israeli security guard shot two Jordanians to death in Amman. Relations have been repaired since then, and security coordination continued throughout that time.
https://www.israpundit.org/analysis-why-jordan-is-worried-about-trumps-peace-plan/ 
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/jordan/.premium-why-jordan-is-worried-about-trump-s-peace-plan-1.6198909 

Jordan’s King to meet Trump
Jordan’s King Abdullah II sets off for the United States, will discuss Israel-PA peace with Trump.
by Elad Benari - INN

Jordan’s King Abdullah II set off for the United States on Thursday for talks with President Donald Trump on Middle East issues, including the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the palace said, according to AFP. Accompanied by his wife Rania, the monarch is also scheduled to meet with senior officials from the Trump administration and members of Congress, the palace said in a statement. His meeting with Trump is expected to take place at the White House on Monday
https://www.israpundit.org/jordans-king-to-meet-trump/ 
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/247834 

Ted Belman, editor and publisher of Israpundit 
https://youtu.be/2_2jJpjU3zA (5:10) ILTV ISRAEL DAILY 10/9/17 http://www.iltv.tv/ 

3 ways to help Ted Belman ... 
Please send checks payable to Ted Belman, 
Hagdud Haivri #1, Jerusalem, 92344, ISRAEL 
Or go to Israel Institute for Strategic Studies 
and use your credit card and mention "Israpundit" 
Donators will get a US tax deductible receipt. 
http://www.strategic-israel.org/  
http://www.israpundit.org/donate/ 

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Courtesy of Bible Gateway ... 
Free Map! Where are the Lost Tribes of Israel today?

https://www.salemoffers.com/campaign/lost-tribes-map-fall-2017-b/ 
http://jvmi.convio.net/assets/pdfs/lost-tribes-map.pdf (1 page pdf) 

✡ ✡ ✡
Yavoh ~ He is coming ! 
Yahweh - Yeshua -  Ruach Ha-Kodesh 
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה   
BREAKING NEWS FROM ISRAEL 
Minute by minute updates here ... 
Watching for Yeshua Ha-Mashiach   

http://www.kolbonews.com/ 
http://ustvfree.com/ https://iomovies.to/
http://conpats.blogspot.com/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/ 
Pray at the Kotel - the Western Wailing Wall 
http://free.messianicbible.com/enter-prayer-wall/ 
Entire Media News on this Planet 
click continue to use PressDisplay.com 

http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx 

Big Geller Family News!!!
This Thursday it's Bat Mitzvah time for Rochel Naami. She's wearing the yellow dress. And when you're me, there's no catering for your child's big day. No sir. You're making everything from scratch! 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/homemade-healthy-onion-soup-mix/
https://youtu.be/odQ1900p2yY (3:30

Here's the Rochel Naami Bat Mitzvah menu I'm serving! 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/creamy-ziti/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/honey-sesame-side-of-salmon/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/browse/build-your-own-salad/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/ruby-red-smoothie/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/veggie-skewers-with-green-goddess-dip/ 

I <3 Hubby, evoo and this veggie.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/avocado-stuffed-salmon-with-wild-rice/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/chocolate-avocado-mousse/ 

Welcome To The Summer of Giveaways 
ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE HOTTEST KITCHEN GADGETS! 

Enter to win below and come back every day for more chances. 
And every week for the next 12 weeks, I will announce a new giveaway.  
That's 1 gift, per week, through the end of summer!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/summer-of-giveaways/

Have you ever made this for Shabbos? To Thigh Own Self Be True
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/date-honey-glazed-chicken-thighs/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/chicken-thighs-with-roasted-winter-fruit/ 

Your kids' favorite dinner just got a little healthier.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/healthy-spaghetti-bolognese/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/vegetarian-moroccan-stuffed-peppers/ 

I've got the cure for this hot, hot summer.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/quick-gazpacho/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/3-ingredient-chickpea-salad/ 

I eat this for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/watch/watch-and-make-your-own-lemon-lovers-hummus/
https://youtu.be/b-0xyhfD9FE (3:36
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/how-to-throw-a-hummus-bowl-party/ 
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Kosher-Fresh-Family-Recipes/dp/0062207822/ 

Download my FREE Modern Israeli Summer ebook with over 20 fresh & easy recipes. 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/05/modern-israeli-summer-free-recipe-ebook/ 

Finally! A Healthy Meal Plan for the Whole Family: Fresh Families by Jamie 
https://freshfamilies.us/ 
https://freshfamilies.us/register/ 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6lQsuWGrrA (1:01

The Perfect Week for Matzo... As Seen on The Today Show
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/03/the-perfect-week-for-matzo-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
w vid Use matzo in 4 different ways for Passover!
https://www.today.com/video/use-matzo-in-4-different-ways-for-passover-1198725699778
https://www.today.com/food/easiest-most-delicious-matzo-ball-recipe-passover-t125845
Matzo Balls by Jamie Geller 
https://www.today.com/recipes/matzo-balls-recipe-t125837 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/best-ever-matzo-ball-soup/ 

Watch Jamie cooking Brisket with Megyn Kelly on The Today Show
by Shifra Klein 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/01/jamie-gellers-brisket-101-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.today.com/video/make-3-hearty-winter-meals-with-this-delicious-classic-beef-brisket-recipe-1164913219668 
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Gellers-Brisket-101-LEFTOVER/dp/1976983851/ 
Just had to tell you about this deal...you can get my Brisket 101 printed book 
for only $6.08 for a limited time only on Amazon. 

Camp Zeke is cook'in with kids http://www.campzeke.org 
Free 2017 - 63 page cookbook - recipes by Alexandra Zohn, MA, HHC 
http://www.campzeke.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-Camp-Zeke-Cookbook.pdf 

The Most Popular Recipe - Year 2017
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/potato-kugel-cups/ 
https://youtu.be/ApKzja2XnWE (6:39
The Most Popular Recipes 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/search?query=Most%20Popular%20Recipes 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - EVOO Colavita recipes
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-and-avocado-toast/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/deviled-green-eggs/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/sun-dried-tomato-hummus/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-oat-clusters-fruit-nuts/ 

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The answer is, it's made with love from Israel !   
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This is a requirement [חֻקַּ֣ת / Chukat / statute] of the law [Torah] that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer [parah adumah]. Numbers 19:2


Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Chukat - the Red Heifer - Bridge from Impurity to Purity !!!


  
Shabbat Shalom 
 
Welcome to Chukat (Decree), this week’s Torah portion that will be read in synagogues all around the world this Shabbat (Saturday).  We know you will be blessed as you study Chukat along with us.  Enjoy!
 
CHUKAT (Statute or Decree)
Numbers 19:1–22:1; Judges 11:133; Hebrews 9:1–28
 
“This is a requirement [חֻקַּ֣ת / Chukat / statute] of the law [Torah] that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer [parah adumah].” (Numbers 19:2)
 
Last week in Parasha Korach, the Levite Korach incited mutiny against Moses.  He and 250 chieftains of Israel questioned the anointed position of Moses as leader and Aaron as high priest.
 
This week’s Torah portion, called Parasha Chukat, presents the ritual laws of the Parah Adumah (פָרָה אֲדֻמָּה / Red Heifer) and the deaths of Aaron and the prophetess Miriam, Moses and Aaron's sister.
Red cows
Red cows (Photo by James Martin)
 
The Bridge from Impurity to Purity 
To purify the Temple vessels and priest, the chosen red heifer (a young female cow that has not yet borne a calf) was to be blemish and defect free.  It also must never have borne a yoke.
 
It would be slaughtered under the supervision of the Jewish Priest (Cohen), who would then sprinkle its blood seven times toward the Tabernacle.  Its body would be burned outside the camp and its ashes used to create the waters of purification.
 
The waters of purification are necessary to ritually cleanse those who had been contaminated by death through contact with a corpse, bone, or grave.  Once purified, they could enter the Tabernacle to draw near to the Living God.
 
In Hebrew, the concepts of clean and unclean or pure (tahor) and impure (tamei) are akin to an insider and an outsider.  Only those who were tahor (clean / pure) could enter the dwelling place of God’s presence.
 
Those who were deemed tamei (unclean / defiled) would be kept outside and, if not purified, would be cut off from Israel — for example, lepers.
 
Bar Mitzvah boy carries Torah scroll at the
              Kotel
A 13-year-old Jewish teen carries the Torah scroll at the Western
(Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.
 
Along with the ashes of the Parah Adumah being added to the waters of purification, three other elements were put in:  hyssop, cedar wood, and scarlet thread.
 
These elements were all used in the building of the sanctuary.  The hyssop was used by the priests for sprinkling the blood, the cedar wood was used for the posts, and the scarlet thread was used in the curtains.
 
Though this mysterious mixing — the sacred elements combined with the ashes of the heifer — death and life would come together in order to bring forth cleansing and purification, which would allow a person to cross the bridge from tamei to tahor.
 
The Brit Chadashah (New Testament) also speaks of the ashes of the Parah Adumah, promising that the blood of the Messiah has greater power to cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the Living God:
 
“For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?”  (Hebrews 9:13–14)
 
Ein Gedi oasis
A father and his children refresh themselves at the Ein Gedi oasis,
which is near Masada and the Dead Sea.
 
Miriam Perishes in the Wilderness 
“Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there.”  (Numbers 20:1)
 
Besides the symbolism of life and death in the waters of purification, this week’s Parasha also provides some details of the death of Moses and Aaron's sister, Miriam, in the Wilderness of Zin.
 
Her death occurs about one year before the Israelites enter the Promised Land, and it is also connected to water.
 
The last time we read about Miriam, she had been stricken with tzara’at (leprosy) as a punishment for speaking against Moses’ choice of a Cushite (Ethiopian) wife.
 
The tzara’at caused her to become tamei (defiled / impure), and she was exiled from the camp for the required period of seven days after “Moses cried out to the LORD, ‘Please, God, heal her!’”  (Numbers 12:13)
 
Miriam lived many years after this, healed of her leprosy, and apparently never again allowed pride and arrogance to cause her to speak against the leadership of Moses.
 
Illustration of Jocheved,
                  Miriam, and Moses
Jocheved, Miriam, and Moses (illustration from the
1897 Bible Pictures and What They Teach Us by
Charles Foster)
 
Miriam had played an important role in the prophetic fulfillment of God’s promise to bring Israel out of Egypt, and two of the biggest highlights involved water.
 
She was the one who carefully watched over baby Moses as he floated among the reeds of the Nile River in a basket.  She bravely intervened and offered her mother's services as a wet nurse when Pharaoh’s daughter rescued him.
 
Miriam led the procession of women singing, dancing, and rejoicing with tambourines after God safely led the Israelites through the waters of the Red Sea on dry land while drowning the pursuing Egyptians army.
 
Although Miriam was considered a leader and prophetess, her death is mentioned only briefly in the Scriptures.  No mention is made of the usual mourning period.  Rabbinic commentary suggests that Moses and Aaron buried her in the middle of the night (Yalkut Shimoni Mas’ei 787),and it seems that Moses and the people did not mourn her properly.
 
After Miriam’s death, the people thirsted for water and complained, yet again:
 
“Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to bring us to this terrible place, a seedless place without a fig or a vine or a pomegranate, without even water to drink?”  (Numbers 20:5)
 
Since a vine can represent a mother at home with her children, like little shoots all around her table, some commentaries believe that the people who complained were mourning the loss of Miriam, who was like a mother to the Israelites, especially the women and children.  If so, they were misdirecting their anguish.  (Psalm 128:3)
 
Mother strolls with infant in
                  pram
A mother pushes her infant in a stroller on a street in Jerusalem.

The Well of Miriam 
According to Jewish tradition, a water-bearing rock followed the Israelites in the wilderness, but dried up and disappeared at Miriam’s death.  First Corinthians 10:1–4 is seen by some to confirm this rock:
 
“For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were mikvahed [baptized] into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Messiah.”
 
This rock is called the Well of Miriam because the water that flowed from it was based on her merit.
 
One Jewish Midrash fills in the gaps found in this tersely-written Bible account of her death with the following story:
 
“Miriam died, and the well was taken away so that Israel would recognize that it was through her merit that they had had the well. Moses and Aaron were weeping inside, and (the Children of) Israel were weeping outside, and for six hours Moses did not know (that the well was gone), until (the Children of) Israel entered and said to him: For how long will you sit and cry?
 
"He said to them: Should I not cry for my sister who has died?  They said to him:  While you are crying for one person, cry for all of us!  He said to them:  Why?  They said to him:  We have no water to drink.  He got up from the ground and went out and saw the well without a drop of water (in it).  He began to argue with them....”  (Otzar Midrashim)
 
Torah Ark
This elaborately decorated Aron HaKoshesh
(Torah ark) houses and protects the Torah scrolls.
 
Whether a rock followed them, providing water, or Adonai gave them water wherever they went through other means, He did show mercy for their thirst, telling Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water.
 
Nevertheless, before following through on God’s command to give them water, Moses responded in anger to their complaining, or perhaps anger at Adonai for Miriam’s death, saying, “Listen, you rebels, shall we get water for you out of this rock?”  (Numbers 20:10)
 
There is a play on words in this verse.  The Hebrew word for rebels (morim מרים) is spelled the same as the name Miriam (מרים) in Hebrew.
 
It seems that Moses is thinking of his sister Miriam and had not yet properly mourned.  He may have misdirected his anger about her death toward the people.
 
In his anger or frustration, Moses struck the rock twice and water gushed out giving the people water to drink — but God had told Moses to speak to the rock, not to strike it.
 
Moses failed to model obedience at a time when all of Israel was looking to him for leadership.
 
Therefore, the name of the water was called Meribah (which means to argue, strive or contend).
 
“Those were the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them.”  (Numbers 20:13)
 
This word, Meribah, can also be connected to Miriam.  It can be read Meri-bah, which means Miri[yam] is in it — that is, Miriam is in the waters of contention.
 
Although Miriam’s name means bitterness, it can also be read Miri–yam (Miri of the sea).  So, in yet another way, this "woman of the sea" is connected to the waters flowing out of the rock after her death.
 
Fun in Water and Sun
Children play in a Tel Aviv fountain.
  
Tending to Our Emotions  
Although Moses never mentioned Miriam again after her death, and although she seemed to have been buried quickly, without great public ceremony, the memory of her has been irrepressible.
 
Like Moses’ anger that caused him to disobey God and strike the rock, whatever we repress instead of dealing with will ultimately demand attention.  And it might be expressed in ways not pleasing to God.  For instance, we must take the time to properly come to terms with our feelings of loss.
 
We must take the time to grieve, just as the people did at the end of this Torah reading for Aaron — six months after the death of Miriam.
 
Perhaps Moses did not take the time or did not have the luxury of that time because of his role as leader or because the people were thirsty.
 
Furthermore, it seems that Moses might not have brought his pain and disappointment to the Lord.  In not doing so, he missed an opportunity to model his trust and faith in God’s love.  Instead, he raged and disobeyed God.
 
If Moses cannot model faith during such times of loss, then it is only natural that many of us will suspect that we cannot.  But we can and must.
 
We can bring to Him our deepest pain, our darkest despair, and our broken hearts.  He will cleanse us spiritually from our contact with loss and death, and He will heal us.
 
May we likewise be healers, allowing rivers of living water to flow freely out of our inner being to help bring people back into a restored relationship with Adonai through the purification we experience in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
 
 
You can impact Eternity by helping Bibles For Israel bring the Living Waters of Yeshua to Israel.
 
"For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  (Revelation 7:17)

Shabbat Shalom from the Entire Bibles For Israel Family!

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