Chukat

THE BIG IDEA

The energy this week might be feeling a little sadder, or irritating than usual. 

The Torah Omens suggest it is a time to mourn; we learn the laws of purification after contact with the dead (chukat parah adumah), we bury both Miriam and Aaron,  and Moses is fated to die outside the holy land.

After 40 years of wandering, the entire generation of Israelites liberated from Egypt has died off, and (unfortunately for Moses), their children, (the generation that will enter the Holy Land), sound exactly like their parents — complaining for water, complaining about their current situation, and later complaining about the Manna.  

Moses, understandably, is frustrated, and brings water from the rock with the force of his rod, and not, as he was commanded by God, with his words. He and Aaron are immediately punished for spiritual disobedience.

Take time this weekend to note places in your life you respond with force and frustration, where perhaps you might bring the same result through clear, guided, language? 

The moon of Tammuz is a heavy one, inviting us to practice seeing the potential for good and ease in the darker and murkier places of our lives.

LOOK UP

This week the new generation of Israelites follow in the path of their parents, complaining about the Manna, and bringing harsh karmic consequences upon themselves. This time their sin brings fiery snakes that chase, bite and kill them throughout the encampment. 

However, unlike their parents, they know when they have sinned, quickly admit their transgression and ask Moses to pray on their behalf, which he does. 

At God’s command, Moses makes a copper snake shield and holds it up. All those that look up at the representation of the snake live (all those that don’t look up, die).

This week, whatever feels like it is chasing and biting at your heels, whatever that feels like it is killing you in some way, try to take responsibility for inviting that pain in some unconscious way into your life. Perhaps you are simply furthering dysfunctional attitudes and behaviors you learned from your parents (no blame).

Whatever it is that is causing you pain this week, try to see its source as coming from above. 

Take a moment to look up to the sky, and ask for the ability to see your unconscious (your snake) clearly, and heal.