Chukat Videos

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

Jono makes jokes, get struck by lightning, and figures out how to mute G-fish. Watch, laugh, and maybe drink a soda?

The Red Heifer is the single most incomprehensible commandment in the Torah. By the same token, it most accurately represents the most incomprehensible part of the soul.

Although the ashes of the red heifer purify the impure individual, the Kohen becomes impure when performing it. Here’s the fascinating lesson we need to learn from this ritual.

This portion describes Moses' unusual way of healing those who suffered from poisonous snake bites. A Jewish look at how healing really works.

One of the most infamous events in the Bible is Moses' striking the rock to bring forth water. Why did Moses do what he did? Was it a mistake or was there a reason? How can this seemingly rebellious act be understood within the context of Moses' perfect obedience to G-d?

The parshah of Chukat contains 87 verses, and the mnemonic for it are the words Lemidva, Yemuel, and Uzi. Explore the coded message in this Masoretic note and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

Learn the profound connections between the weekly parsha and its related Haftorah.

While devoting yourself to helping others, safeguard time for your own spiritual and emotional growth. Focus energy inward as well as outward.

The Sages state: Aaron loved peace and would bring people close to Torah. The Big Ben offers some perspective.

Analysis of Rashi's commentary on the ritual of the Red Heifer through the lens of ancient Hebrew manuscripts.

Once the Messianic Era begins — world peace, universal enlightenment, an end to suffering and eternal life — one would assume that having accomplished his mission the Moshiach's central role would no longer be required. Yet this is not the case, to the contrary! In clarifying this mystery, this class will present an overview of G-d's objective in creation as revealed by the Sages over the millennia and how our understanding of His purpose undergoes an evolving ever-deepening appreciation, layer beneath layer, until the final curtain on G-d's very Essence is drawn. (This class is in honor of the Rebbe's 20th Yahrtzeit anniversary)

This week's portion states (Numbers 19:15) "Any open vessel which has no seal fastened around it becomes unclean." Based on this verse, Maimonides discusses various scenarios in which the contents of a vessel with a tight-fitting lid (Heb. "tzamid patil") are protected from ritual impurity. What are these particular scenarios and how does each one correspond symbolically to another aspect of our relationship with G-d? (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 38, pp. 72.)

Describing the red heifer ritual, the Torah states (Numbers 19:2) “Take a red heifer that never had a yoke placed upon it.” The Hebrew word for yoke (ol) is normally spelled ayin-vav-lamed, but in this verse, the vav is missing. What is the connection between 1) the missing vav, 2) the Edomites who are descended from Esau, and 3) the story of Moses striking the rock?

How the Parah Adumah is a template for the super-rational nature of Judaism.

What happened to the Clouds of Glory after the passing of Aharon? We don’t find mention of them returning—like with the well of water following the passing of Miriam.

The Torah instructs us to observe mitzvot that transcend our comprehension; what’s the meaning behind these irrational laws?

The Torah relates that when the Jewish people were preparing to enter the land of Israel, Moses sent spies to scout out the city of Ya’azer and its environs, which the Jews would have to cross in order to enter the Holy Land.

The Twelfth and Thirteenth of Tammuz marks the release of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Scheersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, from Soviet imprisonment. His self-sacrifice on behalf of Jews of all stripes serves as a testament to the true nature of leadership.