Balak

In this parsha

Balak, king of Moab, hires the sorcerer Balaam to curse Israel. On the way, Balaam's donkey sees an angel blocking the path and speaks after being struck. Warned to say only what God permits, Balaam ascends three times to curse but each time blesses Israel instead, praising their tents and dwelling apart and foreseeing a future ruler rising from Jacob. Balak is enraged. The parsha ends as Israelite men are drawn into sin with Moabite women at Baal Peor, igniting a deadly plague.

Themes

• Concealed holiness, hidden light
• Avraham's humility versus Bilam
• Bnei Yisrael as eternal witnesses
• Israel dwelling alone in unity
• Love that disarms curses
• The untouched core of Yisrael

Must-read teachings

1. 1Humility Cleaving Versus Self ExaltationIn the Mishnah (Avos 5:19) we learn: Whoever possesses these three traits is among the talmidim of Avraham Avinu, alav hashalom — a good eye, a humble spirit, and a lowly soul. And the opposite — a bad eye, a haughty spirit, and a broad sou…תרל"א
2. 2Concealed Light Illuminating NationsOn the verse "And Balak saw" (Bamidbar 22:2), the Midrash comments that it is better for the wicked to be blind. The meaning is that they said, "It covers the eye of the land" (Bamidbar 22:5) — that Bnei Yisrael do not allow the nations to …תרמ"א
3. 3Bnei Yisrael As WitnessesIt is brought down in the Gemara that they wished to fix the parsha of Balak as part of Krias Shema, and only because of the burden it would place on the tzibbur did they refrain. Krias Shema is so central to bearing witness about Hashem th…תרנ"ט
4. 4Bnei Yisrael Sanctifying The Land"And Balak saw all that Bnei Yisrael had done" (Bamidbar 22:2). The piece opens with Balak seeing all that Bnei Yisrael had accomplished, which sets the stage for his fear. As it is written, "Behold, a people has come out of Mitzrayim; beho…תרמ"ד
5. 5Selecting Holiness From ChaosThe Midrash on the verse "The Rock, His work is perfect" (Devarim 32:4) teaches that the Holy One, Blessed is He, left the nations of the world no room to claim, "You distanced us," and so forth. The Midrash stresses that Hashem arranged hi…תרנ"ב
6. 6Unconditional Love Through Mesirus NefeshChazal said that they sought to fix the parsha of Balak as part of Krias Shema, because it is written, "Behold, a people that rises up like a lion (and lifts itself up like a lion's whelp)" (Bamidbar 23:24). Chazal considered including the …תרנ"ו
7. 7Hidden Light Above CurseRegarding the verse "for he whom you bless is blessed" (Bamidbar 22:6), the explanation is that they themselves are the blessing, as it is written "and you shall be a blessing" (Bereishis 12:2); therefore Hashem said to Bilaam that they hav…תרס"ג
8. 8Three Traits Three FestivalsIt is stated in the Mishnah (Avos 5:19): whoever possesses these three traits is among the disciples of Avraham Avinu — a good eye, a humble spirit, and a lowly soul; and whoever possesses three other traits is among the disciples of the wi…תרנ"א