Yahrzeit of Chur ben Kalev

Chur ben Kalev

Chur was the son of the prophetess Miriam – the sister of Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen.

His father was Kalev – one of the 12 spies sent by Moshe to the Land of Israel.

It was Chur who, together with Aharon HaKohen, held up the hands of Moshe Rabbeinu during the war with Amalek.

Chur's grandson was Betzalel, the one whom the Almighty chose to build the Mishkan (Sanctuary) and its sacred vessels.

Chur was killed by the Erev Rav when he tried to stop them from making the golden calf.

According to the Arizal, Chur was a reincarnation of Nachor (the brother of Avraham Avinu) and the root of Nachor's soul, which was in turn the root of the soul of Hevel (the son of Adam).

The name Chur in Hebrew consists of the letters חור, which are also found in the name Nachor - נחור - another hint at the origin of his soul.

Chur's death, which was meant to stop the idolatry, served as a Tikkun (rectification) for the sins of idolatry committed by Adam, Hevel, and Nachor.

The Arizal teaches that Aharon HaKohen, who was a reincarnation of Haran (הרן) (another brother of Avraham Avinu), was also supposed to sacrifice himself to stop the sin of the Golden Calf, as atonement for the idolatry of a previous lifetime.

But Aharon was mistaken in thinking that the death of Chur (his nephew – Miriam's son) would be sufficient. (Sha'ar HaGilgulim, pages 95 and 114)

(photo - Sculpture by Christian Daniel Rauch - Aaron and Hur supporting Moses' hands; text - based on dailyzoar.com)