This week, Ross, Jono, and Ezra explore the mysterious terrain of Chukkat. What begins with a puzzling purification ritual—the Red Heifer and its sacred ashes—leads to deeper questions: What year are we in when Miriam dies and Aaron is stripped of his garments? Why does chapter 20 leap from the early wilderness years to Aaron’s death in the 40th? Is there a hidden 38-year gap in the narrative?

We discuss the elusive geography of Kadesh, the double-take at Meribah, and whether Israel ever really passed through Edom. Along the way, we draw on insights from the Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q27), the Samaritan Pentateuch, and the mysterious Book of the Wars of the LORD.

This episode challenges assumptions and connects critical dots—textual, historical, and theological. Join us for a deep dive into one of the Torah’s most enigmatic and compressed portions.

Watch this episode [⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠]