Balak and Balaam
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Remember the following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Elo’lei’chem)
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2.
“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).
“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory will I
not give to another”.
Yeshayahu - Isaiah 42:8. (JPS).
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“Balak and Balaam”..
Be’midbar - Numbers
24:25.
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
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Introduction:
Parashat Balak is one of the most dramatic and mysterious portions in the Torah. It introduces us to King Balak of Moab, who fears the Israelites as they approached his land. In desperation, he hires Balaam, a renowned seer, to curse the Hebrews. Yet Balaam, despite his reputation having magical power, finds himself compelled to speak only the words which אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), blessed be He, places in his mouth. Therefore, instead of curses, wonderful blessings poured forth from his mouth, culminating in some of the most beautiful affirmations of Israel’s destiny, including the famous line, as follows;
מַה-טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, יַעֲקֹב; מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ, יִשְׂרָאֵל
“How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel!” Be’midbar – Numbers 24:5, (JPS 1917).
This portion reminds us that human schemes cannot override the Divine will, and that blessings rooted in love and truth, are by far stronger than any kind of fear, or curses!
Let us look at some ‘Major Themes’:
Fear and Projection:
Balak sees Israel as a threat, even though they had no intention of attacking Moab. His fear drives him to seek destructive means.
The Limits of Power:
Balaam, though a master of words, cannot manipulate אֱלֹהִים – Elohim’s will. His donkey even perceives divine reality more clearly than he does.
Blessings vs. Curses:
Attempts to curse Israel transform into blessings, teaching that love and divine favour overturn malice.
Intuition and Vision:
Balaam’s donkey “sees” the angel before Balaam does, reminding us that sometimes intuition and humility perceive truth more readily than intellect or status.
Seduction and Consequence:
The portion ends with Israel’s sin at Baal Peor, showing how blessings can be undermined if the people themselves stray from covenantal love and fidelity.
“Enraged at Balaam, Balak struck his hands together. ‘I called you,’ Balak said to Balaam, ‘to damn my enemies,
and instead you have blessed them these three times! Back with you at once to
your own place! I was going to reward you richly, but the LORD has denied you
the reward.’” (Numbers 24:10-11).
“Balaam replied, ‘Though Balak, were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not of my own accord do anything good or bad contrary to יְהוָה - the LORD’s command. What יְהוָה says, that I must say.’” (Be’midbar - Numbers 24:13)
Closing Thoughts:
Parashat Balak teaches that blessings are stronger than curses, and that love and divine intention cannot be overturned by fear or malice. It calls us to trust our inner vision, to speak words of blessing, and to remember that even in moments of threat, יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים - the LORD Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, presence transforms curses into sources of hope!
As we come to the conclusion of this study, we have read that the Torah
advises us to listen to our hearts; to use our own personal knowledge to bless
others; and to see the ‘mah tovu’ (how good; goodness) and love in each
individual. Just as Balaam, with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s help, blessed the Israelites,
so, too, can we embrace transformation over transactions in our relationships
with others, seeing them as אֱלֹהִים בְּצֶלֶם –
in the image of Elohim and knowing they and we are innately
programmed to love and bless.
May we, in our beautiful and challenging world, lean in to love, trust
our “goodly” perspectives, listen to our hearts, and lead by offering blessings
to all with whom we engage!
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In Conclusion, a
Question to Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or
statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel
about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing
well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our
blessed Mitzvoth’s?
Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and
solitude in your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn
to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים - בָּרוּךְ
אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is always there
and ready to help and guide you!
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PLEASE NOTE: If you need assistance in some way, just ask, I can email you special items to help you with whatever you may need, etc! Just email me (using the link further below) and I will send it to your email, without any follow up whatsoever, or any requests from me! The email is just down this page.
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and wonderful faith, thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two
or of possible three times a day and always seek אֱלֹהִים -
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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via a
number of our prophets...
“Return unto Me,
and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat
Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your Elo’hei’chem);
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine
ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign
between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH your Elo’hei’chem”. Yechezkel
- Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“The More Torah, the More Life”.
For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and
please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your
daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace
be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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