1. Moshe’s trespass in striking the rock Parshat Chukat
describes one of the most tragic incidents in the Torah. Bnai
Yisrael arrive to the Wilderness of Tzin and they have no water.
They complain to Moshe and Aharon; they accuse them of failing
to fulfill their promise to bring them to a rich and fertile
land. They tell them that they would prefer to have died earlier
rather than face the miserable death by thirst that now
confronts them. Hashem commands Moshe and Aharon to bring forth
water from a rock. Moshe and Aharon assemble the nation; Moshe
sternly chastises them for their failure of faith – referring to
the people as rebels. Then, Moshe completes the mission. He
strikes the rock and brings forth water. But Hashem criticizes
Moshe and Aharon for their conduct. He tells them that because
they acted inappropriately, they will not lead the people into
the Land of Israel. Indeed, they will perish in the wilderness.
However, the Torah does not reveal the exact nature of their
transgression. Rashi suggests