Now Yiphthach the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a harlot. And when the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Yiphthach from the land of Tov. They said to Yiphthach: 'Come and be our captain, that we may fight the Ammonites.' But Yiphthach said to the elders of Gilead: 'Did you not hate me, and drive me from my father's house? Why are you coming to me now, when you are in distress?'
Judges 11:1-33
chukat “the decree of the Torah” Numbers 19:1 – 22:1
The people complained of the lack of water, and Moses was instructed by Hashem to go to a rock from which, if he touched it, water would flow. But those around him scoffed at this, which so angered Moses that he struck the rock with his staff. Instead of water, blood flowed. Moses then smote the rock a second time and water began to flow. This particular rock was Miriam’s rock from which waters would emerge in 12 channels for each tribe. But now Miriam was dead. Moses’ anger brought about a punishment, which was that he would never enter the promised land. The rays emanating from Moses’ head were part of his connection with the infinite that started with his 40 days on Mt. Sinai. On the ground are serpents and scorpions and a wolf which attacked the doubters.
Above Moses is a red cow. There are a number of laws in Torah that the rabbis say are intentionally beyond human understanding. They represent one’s faith beyond logic. The “para aduma” – the red heifer – is one of these. The ashes of this animal were to be used as part of a purification from actions like touching the dead. Some interpret this as an atonement for the Golden Calf.