Leadership and Loss in the Wilderness
PARASHAT CHUKAT (“law [that]”) acknowledges the grim reality of death in the wilderness, a necessary succession in leadership, and the approach of the journey’s end. Repeatedly in this parashah, healing and new life follow death. In the face of the chaos and unpredictability of death and its contaminating powers, Numbers 19 responds with a priestly ritual, recording instructions that contain a great deal of regulatory detail, delivered in an orderly, precise tone. Numbers 20 focuses on two significant deaths in the community of Israel, that of Miriam and her brother Aaron. Numbers 21 focuses on new opportunities in spite of deep disappointment, as successful battles mark a positive change in Israel’s fortune. After the loss of his siblings, Moses remains, leading Israel ever closer to the edges of the Promised Land, a land that he himself will never enter.
The deaths of Miriam and Aaron are central to this parashah, providing us an opportunity to consider the role of each within the Israelite camp. Gender politics can be detected in the more elaborate details concerning the punishment and death of Aaron in comparison to the report of Miriam’s death. Nevertheless, the mere fact that the time and place of Miriam’s death are recorded is highly unusual and therefore quite striking. One intriguing detail even places her on a par with Moses: he too is condemned to death in the same literary unit in which Miriam and Aaron die. Could it be mere coincidence that these three siblings are grouped together in this fashion? Indeed, the prophet Micah places Miriam on a par with her brothers: “I brought you up from the land of Egypt, redeemed you from the house of bondage, and sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead you” (Micah 6:4). Miriam’s death provides an opportunity to reflect on her life and to appreciate the unique features of this biblical leader (see at 20:1).
—Adriane Leveen
Outline—
I. THE “RED COW” RITUAL AFTER CONTACT WITH A CORPSE (19:1–22)
A. Instructions for handling the red cow (vv. 1–10)
B. Rituals after contact with a corpse, human bones, or a grave (vv. 11–22)
II. THE DEATHS OF MIRIAM AND AARON (20:1–29)
A. Miriam’s death (v. 1)
B. Moses and Aaron punished: Fateful incident at Meribah (vv. 2–13)
C. Failed negotiations with the king of Edom (vv. 14–21)
D. Aaron’s death and Eleazar’s succession as chief priest (vv. 22–29)
III. TOWARD THE JOURNEY’S END
Itineraries and Songs, Negotiations and Battles (21:1–22:1)
A. Successful battle against the king of Arad (21:1–3)
B. Further complaints (21:4–9)
C. Itinerary of travels and Israel’s song (21:10–20)
D. Successful political negotiations and military victories (21:21–22:1)