06/19/2026
In Parashat Chukkat, after the death of Miriam, the Israelites find themselves without water. Moses strikes the rock at Kadesh, bringing forth water but losing the privilege of entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20).
Many scholars identify biblical Kadesh-Barnea with the area around Ein el-Qudeirat in the northeastern Sinai, where excavations have uncovered Iron Age fortifications and abundant springs, an oasis that sustained travelers and settlements in an otherwise arid landscape. Nearby springs still flow today, offering a vivid reminder of the Torah's account.
Parashat Chukkat teaches that life in the Land of Israel has always depended on water, and that the miracle of sustaining life in the wilderness was inseparable from the responsibility of leadership. Standing beside these ancient springs, one can imagine generations of Israelites seeking both physical nourishment and spiritual direction in the desert.
As Israel continues to face challenges in a dry land, the flowing waters of Kadesh remind us that hope and renewal often emerge from unexpected places.
Shabbat Shalom!
**Pic for attention Banias Springs
