Double Parsha: Chukat-Balak
Numbers 19:1-Numbers 25:9
HAFTARA: Micah 5:6-6:8; Judges 11:1-33
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Jewish Learning by Kimberly Davis
Numbers 19:1-Numbers 25:9
Daily Reading Schedule:
Sunday June 21, 2026: Numbers 19:1-20:6
Monday June 22, 2026: Numbers 20:7-21
Tuesday June 23, 2026: Numbers 20:22-21:20
Wednesday June 24, 2026: Numbers 21:21-22:12
Thursday June 25, 2026: Numbers 22:13-38
Friday June 26, 2026: Numbers 22:39-23:26
Saturday June 27, 2026: All of the above readings Plus Numbers 23:27-25:9 AND
maf: Numbers 25:7-9
Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8
Talmudic References:
Explore key discussions and cross-references from the Talmud that provide profound depth to the themes of this week's parsha study.
1
"The Gemara asks: And is it not? But doesn’t Rabbi Zeira say that Rav says: If the slaughter of a red heifer is performed by a non-priest, it is not valid? And Rav said about this halakha: It is derived from the phrases: “Elazar the priest” (Numbers 19:3), and: “Statute” (Numbers 19:2), which are written with regard to the red heifer. The mention of Elazar indicates that slaughter must be performed by a priest, and the term “statute” indicates that one may not deviate from any of the details of the service as delineated in the verses. If one does, the heifer is disqualified."
Zevachim
daf: 14b:6
2
"Rav Ḥanin said, and some say it was Rabbi Ḥanina who said: What is the verse that alludes to this? As it is written: “And Israel vowed a vow to the Lord and said: If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will consecrate their cities” (Numbers 21:2), which shows that one who wishes to succeed should sanctify a portion of his earnings for Heaven."
Eruvin
daf: 64b:3
3
"And that wicked person, Balaam, also provided a sign with regard to himself. He said: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his” (Numbers 23:10). If I die the death of the righteous, by natural causes, my end will be like his, i.e., I will receive a share in the World-to-Come like the Jewish people. And if I do not die by natural causes: “I will go to my people” (Numbers 24:14), i.e., my fate will be that of the rest of the wicked people in my generation, who have no share in the World-to-Come."
Sanhedrin
daf: 105a:12
Midrashic References:
01
Midrash Tehillim 90:1
"A prayer for Moses, the man of God. As it is written (Proverbs 15:8), "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord." This refers to Balaam and Balak. When Balaam said to Balak (Numbers 23:1-29), "Build me seven altars," the Lord said to him, "I do not accept sacrifices from the wicked." (Ecclesiastes 4:6) "Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind." This means that the handful of fine flour that the Israelites bring before me as a regular offering is better than all the sacrifices you offer me, which are an abomination to me."
02
Aggadat Bereshit 20:2
"...Balaam, who saw that the Day of Judgment destroys the wicked, made it distant, as it is written, "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near" (Numbers 24:17). But Moses, who saw that the same day is the reward of the righteous, said, "For the day of their calamity is near" (Deuteronomy 32:35), and Asaph also said, "Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge" (Psalm 73:27-28)."And they have hastened their destiny (Deuteronomy 32:35), I [God] am hastening and shaking the world to rid it of them, as it says, 'They shall fly like an eagle hastening to devour' (Habakkuk 1:8). And as for what you said, 'Let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come' (Isaiah 41:1), behold, the day is coming and you shall know, for behold, the day is coming, etc. (Malachi 3:19).""
03
Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 19:1
"(Numb. 25:4:) “Take all the heads of the people, and impale them [before the Lord in the sun].” R. Judan said, “He hanged the heads of the people, because they had not protested about the people who stood out among them like the sun.” R. Nehemiah said, “He did not hang them. Rather the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses, ‘Appoint Sanhedrin heads for them, and let them judge whoever went to Peor.’ He said to him, ‘But who will make such a one known?’ The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, ‘I will expose them. In the case of whoever has gone astray, the cloud shall be peeled back from upon him, and the sun shall shine upon him in the midst of the congregation. Then they will know anyone who has gone astray and hang him.’” You know for yourself that it is so, as stated (in Numb. 25:5), “So Moses said unto the judges of Israel, ‘Each of you kill [those of] his own people [who have been joined to Baal Peor].’”"
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