Parashat Chukat-Balak 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת חֻקַּת־בָּלָק
1 July 2023 / 12 Tamuz 5783 (Diaspora)
Parashat Chukat-Balak is the 39th and 40th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
Torah Portion: Numbers 19:1-25:9
Chukat (“Law Of”) opens by describing the process of burning the red heifer and using its ashes for purification. It also tells the stories of the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ striking of a rock to bring forth water, a plague of venomous snakes, and battles against the Emorite kings Sihon and Og. Balak tells the story of the Moabite king Balak, who hires Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam’s donkey speaks along the way, and Balaam ends up blessing the Israelites. The portion ends with a story about Israelite men sinning with Moabite women and the stabbing of an Israelite and a Midianite.
Portion (parasha) for this week:
Chukat/Balak | חוק//בלק | “Statute/Balak”
Torah: Numbers 19:1 – 25:9
Prophets: Judges 11:1-40; Isaiah 66:1-24; Micah 5:7(6) – 6:8
Brit Hadasha: Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:12-25; John 3:9-21, 4:3-30, 12:27-50; 1 Corinthians 1:20-31; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Revelation 2:12-17
(Click on a selected scripture reading below each photo to be taken directly to it)
“Torah Portions” are a systematic teaching schedule that includes a portion of scripture from the Torah, Prophets, and Brit Hadasha each week. This schedule is known all over the world, and serves as a great way to facilitate discussion and learning with others in the Body of the Messiah.
Shabbat Times for Bat Hadar
Bat Hadar, Israel
- Candle lighting: 19:32 on Friday, Jun 30
- This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Balak
- Havdalah: 20:33 on Saturday, Jul 1
Torah 