Parashat Hukkatt / Balak is one of seven designated Torah portions that, depending upon the number of Sabbaths in a year, is either read as two separate portions or combined to assure the reading of the entire Torah.
Parashat Hukkatt, which is translated (regulation)begins by describing the ritual slaughter and sacrifice of the parah adumahJor "red cow," by Eleazar the priest, and the ritual cleansing for those who touch a corpse. Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, dies at Kadesh. Again the people complain that they have no water to drink. God tells Moses to take his rod and speak to the rock to bring forth water. Angry at the complaining people, whom he calls "rebels," Moses strikes the rock with his rod. Water pours out. The people drink and water their animals. God informs Moses that because of his anger he will not be allowed to lead his people into the Land of Israel.
Parashat Balak takes its title from Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab. Mraid that the Israelites will attack his nation, Balak sends messengers to invite Bala'am ben Beor, a well-known pagan prophet, to come and curse the people of Israel. At first, God forbids Bala'am to grant Balak's request. Then the seer is sent but told that he must say only what God commands. On the way, Bala'am's donkey sees an angel standing before her and refuses to go forward. Bala'am beats her. After the donkey protests that she is being mistreated, Bala'am himself sees the angel. Fearful, he asks if he should return home, but the angel tells him to continue, warning once again that he is to say only what God commands.
Shabbat Readings
Torah: B’midbar (Numbers) 19:1-10
Writings of the Apostles: Yochanan (John) 3:1-15
Psalm: 98
Blessings, Shabbat Shalom.
Alex Schlussler
Congregational Leader
Shalom and welcome to the web site of Beth Tehillah Vetikva (House of Praise and Hope). We are an Adventist Messianic Congregation made up of both Jews and non-Jews who believe that Yeshua is Messiah. We worship the living God in the context of our Jewish heritage and believe that we are to live our lives by the word of God. Our congregation is both multi-ethnic and multi-lingual and by its diversity it is strengthened. We pray that you will moved closer to your Messiah as you experience our congregation through this web site.
