Loss is a major theme in this week’s Parsha, Chukat. Almost immediately after last week’s parsha and the challenges to Moses’ leadership, he is now faced with the deaths of Miriam and, then, at the close of the pasha, of Aaron. Not only were they his siblings, but, they were co-founders and his closest allies in the birth of the Israelite nation and the Jewish people. When Miriam dies, rather than mourn the loss, they complain to Moses about who is now going to provide them with water as Miriam had done in the past. Aaron, however, is mourned for 30 days. This disservice to Miriam still needs to be rectified. We have tried to do that at our Shabbat of Chukat Service in past years and will do so again this week.
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