Parashat Balak

Revision as of 12:40, 2 July 2015

Parashat-Balak

Dread of the Jews

Balak the son of Tzippor, king of Moab saw all the Jews had done to the Amorites, and realizing that if Sichon and Og could not resist them, the Mobites certainly could not.^[1] Consequently^[1] Moab became terrified of the Jews for they were numerous, causing them to become disgusted with their own lives.^[2] Knowing that Moshe the leader of the Jews was raised in Midyon, the Mobites decided to approach the elders of Midian and seek their counsel. Although these two nations had tremendous hate for each other since their great battle and the defeat of Midian in the field of Moab, now due to their mutual fear of the Jews they made peace with each other.^[3] They warned the Midianites about the Jews saying they will eat up everything around them like the ox eats up the greens of the field, completely uprooting them^[4] vanquishing the field of all its blessing.^[3] When they inquired about Moshe, the elders of Midian replied that his strength is solely in his mouth. Therefore they decided to attack them through Billam whose strength was also in his mouth.^[3]

Balak was not entitled to the Moabite monarchy, he was a Midianite noble whom they appointed over themselves on a temporary basis after the defeat of Sichon.^[3]

Requesting Balaam

Balak sent the elders of Moab and Midian as messengers to Bilaam the son of Beor, inviting him for his personal benefit, promising him a large sum of money.^[5] In their possession were all types of magic charms so Bilaam could not claim that he is ill equipped^[6]

Bilaam lived in Pethor, which was named after his practice since all the kings would rush their letters to him asking him for advice just like money changer (פְּתוֹרָה) to whom everyone rushes to exchange coins.^[5] Pethor was located by the river near the area where Balak was raised.^[5] Balak had previously visited Bilaam who had prophecized that one day he was destined to rule, a prophecy which had now come true.^[5]

The messengers informed Bilaam that a people have come out of Egypt killing Sichon and Og, the guardians of the land^[5] which is comparable to covering the "eye" of the land, causing him personal harm.^[5] The Jews are now stationed opposite Moav, close by and ready to cut them down.^[5]. They invited Bilaam to come and curse the Jews for they are too powerful for Moav. Perhaps Balak and his nation^[7] will then be able to wage war against them and drive them out of the land or at least diminish them somewhat.^[7]. They remind Bilaam that they are very aware of his powers; whomever he blesses is blessed and whomever he curses is cursed as they saw in their war against Sichon, where Bilaam helped him defeat Moav.^[7]

Bilaam requested that the elder remain their overnight so he could talk to Hashem and give them an answer in the morning, for Divine Spirit rested on him only at night.^[8] Perhaps Hashem will advise him not to go with people like them since it is beneath His dignity to allow Bilaam to go with anyone but higher ranking nobles.^[8]

Before before their arrival, the elders of Midian decided on an omen; if Bilaam would come with them right away, then there is something to him but if he pushes them off then he is useless. Upon hearing Bilaam's request that they stay overnight, the Midonite elders concluded that he was hopless and departed but the Moabite nobles remained,^[6] delaying their departure.^[8]

First Prophecy

Hashem came to Balaam, asking who the men were that came to him.

Prophecy of Balaam

Bilaam was wicked gentile yet Hashem bestowed His Shechinah upon him so the nations could excuse their bad actions and claim they would have repented had they repented. Not only did Bilaam not lead the Nations to repentance he breached the morally accepted barrier, for at first they had refrained from immorality, but Bilaam advised them to offer themselves freely for immorality.^[5] Unlike the Jewish prophets, the gentile prophets like Bilaam and his grandfather Balak could only receive prophecy at night.^[8]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Rashi Bamidbar 22:2
2. ^ Rashi Bamidbar 22:3
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Rashi Bamidbar 22:4
4. ^ Daat Zekenim
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Rashi Bamidbar 22:5
6. ^ ^{a b} Rashi Bamidbar 22:7
7. ^ ^{a b c} Rashi Bamidbar 22:6
8. ^ ^{a b c d} Rashi Bamidbar 22:8