בס”ד
A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT CHUKAT 5785
On Sin, Forgiveness, and the Power of Humility
In Numbers 21:5-7, we encounter a dramatic moment in the journey of the people of Israel through the wilderness.
The people complain bitterly against G-d and Moses, prompting a swift and painful consequence: fiery serpents sent as divine punishment. But what deeper meaning lies beneath this episode? And what timeless lessons can we draw about sin, forgiveness, and our relationship with G-d and one another?
Where Did the People Go Wrong?
The core of their sin was in their speech — lashon hara — against G-d and Moses:
| 5 And the people spoke against G-d, and against Moses: ‘Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.’ | ה וַיְדַבֵּר הָעָם, בֵּאלֹקים וּבְמֹשֶׁה, לָמָה הֶעֱלִיתֻנוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם, לָמוּת בַּמִּדְבָּר: כִּי אֵין לֶחֶם, וְאֵין מַיִם, וְנַפְשֵׁנוּ קָצָה, בַּלֶּחֶם הַקְּלֹקֵל. |
Their words reflected ingratitude and a lack of faith. Despite witnessing G-d’s miracles and care, they rejected His providence and questioned His leadership. This wasn’t just complaining — it was a spiritual offense rooted in distrust and disrespect.
The Serpents: More Than Punishment
As a direct consequence, G-d sent “fiery serpents” to bite the people, and many perished. The symbolism here is potent: the first being to speak evil of G-d was the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Now, again, serpents appear in response to destructive speech.
According to Malbim, the serpents also represent the yetzer hara — the evil inclination within each of us. These “inner serpents” bite us from the inside, poisoning our thinking and behavior. The narrative becomes not only a national crisis, but a spiritual mirror for our internal struggles.
Recognizing Sin and the Role of Moses
The Alshich highlights that the people confessed their sin against both G-d and Moses — though the true offense was against G-d’s divine authority. Even so, they appealed to Moses to intercede:
| 7 And the people came to Moses, and said: ‘We have sinned, because we have spoken against the L-rd, and against thee; pray unto the L-rd, that He take away the serpents from us.’ And Moses prayed for the people. | ז וַיָּבֹא הָעָם אֶל-מֹשֶׁה וַיֹּאמְרוּ חָטָאנוּ, כִּי-דִבַּרְנוּ בַד’ וָבָךְ–הִתְפַּלֵּל אֶל-ד’, וְיָסֵר מֵעָלֵינוּ אֶת-הַנָּחָשׁ; וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל מֹשֶׁה, בְּעַד הָעָם. |
Rather than praying directly to G-d, they turned to Moses, trusting in his merit and spiritual stature. Or HaChaim explains that forgiveness is more readily granted before punishment than after — but still, they placed their hope in Moses’ compassion and influence.
Moses responded without resentment. He prayed sincerely — not just for the unbitten, but even for those already afflicted. His response was marked by love, patience, and humility.
The Bronze Serpent: Turning Eyes and Hearts Upward
| 8 And the L-rd said unto Moses: ‘Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live.’ | ח וַיֹּאמֶר ד’ אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, עֲשֵׂה לְךָ שָׂרָף, וְשִׂים אֹתוֹ, עַל-נֵס; וְהָיָה, כָּל-הַנָּשׁוּךְ, וְרָאָה אֹתוֹ, וָחָי. |
Moses fashioned a bronze serpent and mounted it on a tall pole. This object held no inherent power. Healing came not from the image, but from looking up — a symbolic turning of the heart back to G-d.
Even when we are “bitten” by our inner weaknesses, restoration is possible. Healing comes through sincere recognition of our dependence on G-d and a humble return to Him.
Reflections of G-d’s Mercy
This story offers a vivid expression of G-d’s character, echoing the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy as revealed in Exodus 34:6:
| 6 And the L-rd passed by before him, and proclaimed: ‘The L-rd, the L-rd, G-d, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; | ו וַיַּעֲבֹר ד’ עַל-פָּנָיו, וַיִּקְרָא, ד’ יְד’, קאֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן–אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם, וְרַב-חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת |
G-d answers Moses’ prayer not with wrath, but with grace, mercy, and patience. Like G-d, Moses too displays a spirit of forgiveness and love, despite being the target of the people’s complaints.
We are called to reflect these divine qualities. Just as G-d is slow to anger, gracious, and forgiving — so should we be.
Walking in G-d’s Ways
The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches that Moses’ behavior is a powerful model for how we should live. Forgiveness should not be offered reluctantly or out of mere obligation. True, healing forgiveness comes from the heart — from a desire to emulate G-d’s character and create peace.
When we forgive sincerely and pray earnestly for others, we open the channel for G-d’s blessings — both spiritual and material — in our own lives. Moses’ example creates a beautiful spiritual cycle: forgiveness, prayer, and healing. This pattern strengthens individuals, communities, and even the world.
Conclusion: A Timeless Lesson — and a Model of Moses’ Humility
The episode of the serpents in the wilderness is far more than a historical account. While the serpents introduce the drama, it is Moses’ compassionate and humble response that carries the greatest lesson.
It serves as a spiritual parable about sin, repentance, humility, and redemption. Both G-d and Moses demonstrate the power of mercy, and they invite us to join them in that divine work.
May we, like Moses, learn to acknowledge our faults, forgive others with open hearts, and pray for the healing of all — for in doing so, we bring G-d’s redemption closer, both in our lives and in the world around us.
By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Rabbi Moshe Bernstein for the feedback
Sources:
Daily Wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Volume 3 p. 318
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