Parashat Balak This Week's Parashah Is Parashat Balak. the Parashah

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Parashat Balak This week’s parashah is Parashat Balak. The parashah tells us the riveting story of how the diabolical King Balak hired the evil gentile “prophet” Bilam to curse the entire Jewish People. Arrogant and certain of success, Bilam tries wholeheartedly to curse the Jewish People, and keeps trying, only to discover that, as he himself is eventually forced to admit, he can only speak the words that Hashem places in his mouth! Thus, far from cursing the Jewish People, Bilam ends up repeatedly blessing them! He is compelled to sing their praises, highlight their special qualities, and even to reveal what the world will be like when Mashiach comes - may it be speedily in our days! How strange it is that the one place in the entire Torah that speaks openly about the coming of Mashiach should be here. How odd it is that such awesome words about such a wondrous time should come from the mouth of such a low and evil, impure heathen. In truth, however, upon closer look, it is all readily understood. The era of Mashiach will see the world transformed, with all evil and impurity removed from the earth. At that time, “the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d just as water covers the ocean floor”, darkness will be transformed into light, and all of the nations of the world will stream to Jerusalem, saying:”For from Zion Torah comes out and the Word of G-d from Jerusalem!” Thus, it is entirely appropriate that the revelation of what a transformed world will be like when Mashiach finally arrives should come through the transformation of an evil gentile’s intended, dark curses into unintended, luminous blessings! Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Yitzchak David Tammuz 16, 5779 July, 19 2019 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Parshat Balak Weekly Dvar Torah What Do You See?
Parshat Balak 17 Tammuz 5775 /June 30, 2018 Daf Yomi: Zevachim 78; Nach Yomi: Isaiah 38 Weekly Dvar Torah A project of the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL SPONSORED BY THE HENRY, BERTHA AND EDWARD ROTHMAN FOUNDATION ROCHESTER, NY,CLEVELAND, OHIO, CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO What Do You See? Rabbi Yisroel Brotsky Associate Member, Young Israel Council of Rabbis Our perceptions mold the world in which we live. But as the saying goes: “two Jews in the room and you will have three different opinions.” I was learning in the Beit Midrash, when all of a sudden a man wearing tefillin and a gun in his shoulder holster came storming in! That’s right, a gun! I was petrified, thinking: around these parts it was highly unusual to see a man sporting a gun, and he seemed a bit impetuous. I tried to keep my cool and pretend I didn’t notice anything unusual. Apparently, I wasn’t as discreet as I thought I was. He asked me, “What are you looking at?” I hesitated in fear, and he continued, “Oh you are probably looking at my tefillin. They are a Sephardic pair for a lefty and I had to turn it around. You probably never saw that before!” I immediately responded, “eh, exactly! That is exactly what I noticed, it is so interesting.” Perception is everything − two people and two very different perceptions. Perhaps the tefillin should have piqued my interest more than the gun. Parshat Balak is all about vision and perception. We begin with “Vayar Balak” (and Balak saw).
[Show full text]
PARSHAT Ki Tisa
Adar 5781 / March 5, 2021 CANDLE LIGHTING, 5:34 21 שבת פרה / PARSHAT Ki Tisa ASHREINEWS Menahel’s Message B’Simcha Tamid! Who knows ? In the early twentieth century, scores of Hashem that Bnei Yisrael had formed and worshipped the immigrant Jews abandoned Shabbos Golden Calf. Yet, upon reaching the crime scene, Moshe observance upon reaching these shores. appears surprised, and in his wrath breaks the luchos. Seforno Not appearing for work on Saturday usually explains that although Moshe was aware of his nation’s grievous meant no job on Monday, and who is to say how even the sin, he was nonetheless shocked upon witnessing the degree of more pious among us would have reacted under such trying joy with which the Calf was worshipped: “Va’yar es ha’egel circumstances. A smaller group steadfastly clung to Shabbos, u’mcholos” - “He saw the Calf and the revelry.” and with heroic mesirus nefesh would leave work Friday It’s not just what one does- it’s how one does it. It’s one thing knowing that in all likelihood a new means of sustenance to sin, but quite another to savor the aveira. And the same would have to be found the next week. Unfortunately, most of applies to mitzvos. One can marginally perform a mitzvah these precious souls did not merit children with similar levels of and technically fulfill his or her obligation, but if the mitzvah religious commitment: I recall my grandfather z”l relating how is to positively impact children, it must be done joyously and his father was the only member of their Brownsville shtiebel able “ wholeheartedly.
[Show full text]
Friday, June 25 - Saturday, June 26, 2021 This Week We Observe the Yahrzeits Of
Friday, June 25 - Saturday, June 26, 2021 This week we observe the Yahrzeits of: Shabbat Balak 16 Tammuz, 5781 Friday– ABC Shabbat Saturday– Tot Shabbat Bridging Ceremony June Birthdays and Anniversaries Shabbat Block Party REGULAR SERVICES Friday: 16 p.m. Saturday: 19 a.m. Sunday Minyan: 18:45 a.m. WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS Mincha: Ninety minutes after the conclusion of the Saturday morning service. *Havdalah, this Saturday, June 26, 9:25 p.m. (Primary Account) (will resume in the future) *Torah and Tea, with Rabbi Kornsgold, this Monday, June 28, 2 p.m. (Primary Monday and Wednesday Minyanim: 18 p.m. Account) Thursday Minyan: 17:15 a.m. *Havdalah, Saturday, July 3, 9:25 p.m. (Primary Account) *Torah and Tea, with Rabbi Kornsgold, Monday, July 12, 2 p.m. (Primary Sign up for in-person Minyanim, Friday Shabbat Service and Junior Account) Congregation by calling the Synagogue Office at 609-443-4454 or emailing *The Observant Life, with Rabbi Kornsgold, Monday, July 12, 8:45 p.m. [email protected]. (Primary Account) Names of those who are asked to help make the Minyan are listed in the Shalom. Tisha B’Av Services, Saturday, July 17, 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 18, Junior Congregation, this Saturday, June 26, 10:30 a.m. 8:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. *Tot Shabbat, for young children through kindergarten and their parents, *Torah and Tea, with Rabbi Nover, Monday, July 19, 2 p.m. (Primary Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. *Fridays, 5 p.m., via Zoom (Secondary Account) Account) Gan Yeladim, The Children’s Garden (Babysitting), for toddlers through *The Observant Life, with Rabbi Kornsgold, Monday, July 19, 8:45 p.m.
[Show full text]
Balaam and Balak
Unit 7 • Session 3 Use Week of: Unit 7 • Session 3 Balaam and Balak BIBLE PASSAGE: Numbers 22–24 STORY POINT: God commanded Balaam to bless His people. KEY PASSAGE: Proverbs 3:5-6 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What does it mean to sin? To sin is to think, speak, or behave in any way that goes against God and His commands. • Countdown • Review (4 min.) • Introduce the session (2 min.) • Key passage (5 min.) • Big picture question (1 min.) • Group game (5–10 min.) • Giant timeline (1 min.) • Sing and give offering (3–12 min.) • Tell the Bible story (10 min.) • Missions moment (6 min.) • Christ connection • Announcements (2 min.) • Group demonstration (5 min.) • Prayer (2 min.) • Additional idea Additional resources are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by- session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject. Kids Worship Guide 34 Unit 7 • Session 3 © 2018 LifeWay LEADER Bible Study God’s people, the Israelites, were in the wilderness. They had arrived at the promised land decades earlier, but the people had rebelled—refusing to trust God to give them the land. They believed it would be better to die in the wilderness than follow God (Num. 14:2), so God sent them into the wilderness for 40 years (vv. 28-29). In time, all of the adults died except for Joshua, Caleb, and Moses. The children grew up and more children were born. The Israelites disobeyed God time and again, but God still provided for them. He planned to keep His promise to give Israel the promised land.
[Show full text]
Bais Havaad on the Parsha, Parshas Eikev,Bais Havaad on the Parsha
Bais HaVaad on the Parsha, Parshas Ha’azinu Good Condition Excerpted and adapted from a shiur by Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald September 17, 2021 https://baishavaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DEV81_010_Haazinu_Legal_Owner _Giving_and_Owning_Your_Daled_Minim.mp3 On the first two days of Sukkos, one must own the arba’ah minim in order to fulfill the mitzvah of taking them. Those who do not own their own arba’ah minim generally use someone else’s set via matanah al menas lehachzir (giving a gift on the condition that it is returned afterward). But it is not clear whether tenai kaful (a double condition, i.e., where both the “if” and “if not” possibilities are expressed), which is necessary for conditions in other areas of halacha, is required here. According to the Smag, one must make a tenai kaful when giving a matanah al menas lehachzir for arba’ah minim. The Mordechai disagrees and notes that Rishonim debate whether a tenai kaful is necessary for conditions outside of gittin and kidushin (such as for mamonos). The Mordechai states that the halacha follows the Rashbam that it is unnecessary for mamonos. The Bais Yosef (O.C. 658) cites this machlokes and rules that we follow the Mordechai with regard to arba’ah minim. Although the Bais Yosef elsewhere (E.H. 38) cites both opinions and does not rule definitively like the Rashbam, the case of esrog may be more lenient for a number of reasons. These include the fact that perhaps there is a clear umdena that one wants the tenai to be valid even without the tenai kaful (Tosafos Kidushin 6b); tenai kaful may be unnecessary for metaltelin (Nesivos Hamishpat C.M.
[Show full text]
The Torah: a Women's Commentary
STUDY GUIDE The Torah: A Women’s Commentary Parashat Balak NUMBERS 22:2-25:9 Study Guide written by Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, Dr. Lisa D. Grant, and Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Ph.D., editors Rabbi Hara E. Person, series editor Parashat Balak Study Guide Themes Theme 1: The Seer Balaam—Have Vision Will Travel Theme 2: It’s a Slippery Slope—the Dangers of Foreign Women INTRODUCTION n Parashat Balak the Israelites are camped on the plains of Moab, ready Ito enter Canaan. In the midst of their final preparations to enter the land God promised to their ancestors, yet another obstacle emerges. Balak, king of Moab, grows concerned about the fierce reputation of the Israelites, which he observed in the Israelites’ encounter with the Amorites (Numbers 21:21–32). Balak’s subjects worry that the Israelites, due to their large numbers, will devour the resources of Moab. In response, Balak hires a well-known seer named Balaam to curse the Israelites, thus reflecting the widely held belief in the ancient world that putting a curse on someone was an effective means of subduing an enemy. The standoff between the powers of the God of Israel and those of a foreign seer proves to be no contest. Even Balaam’s talking female donkey, who represents the biblical ideal of wisdom, recognizes the efficacy of God’s power—unlike her human master, the professional seer. Although hired to curse the Israelites, Balaam ends up blessing them instead. In a series of four oracles, Balaam ultimately does the opposite of what Balak desires and establishes that the power of Israel’s God is greater than even the most skilled human seers.
[Show full text]
Finding God in the Book of Moses Part 2
Finding God in The Book of Moses Part 2 Santa Barbara Community Church Summer Calendar 2007 Teaching Study Text Title Date 6/3 13 Leviticus 9:1— Unforgettable Fire: God’s Glory 10:11 6/10 14 Leviticus 16 The Day of Atonement: Grace Foreshadowed 6/17 15 Leviticus 18 A Third Culture: God and Purity 6/24 16 Leviticus 19 Leaving the Edges: God and Society 7/1 17 Numbers 11 Grumbling and Grace 7/8 18 Numbers 13-14 Surveillance and Rebellion: God and Faithfulness 7/15 19 Numbers 20:1— The Water and the Snake: God, 21:9 Discipline and Grace 7/22 20 Numbers 22-25 Balaam’s Funky Prophecy: A Promise of Messiah 7/29 21 Deuteronomy Obedience to a Jealous God 4:1-40 8/5 22 Deuteronomy Hearing God 4:44—6:25 8/12 23 Deuteronomy Circumcised Hearts: God’s Salvation 10:12—11:32 8/19 24 Deuteronomy The Problem of Idolatry 12—13 8/26 25 Deuteronomy The Choice is Yours 29-30 The text of this study was written and prepared by Reed Jolley. Thanks to, Erin Patterson, and Susi Lamoutte for proof reading the study. And thanks to Kat McLean (cover and studies 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25) and Andy Patterson (studies 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24) for providing the illustrations. All Scripture citations unless otherwise noted are from the English Standard Version. May God bless Santa Barbara Community Church as we study his word! SOURCES/ABBREVIATIONS Brown Raymond Brown. The Message of Numbers, IVP, 2002 Childs Brevard Childs.
[Show full text]
Keshet Pride Shabbat Sermon Guide
Keshet Pride Shabbat Sermon Guide Developed for Keshet by Leora Spitzer The goal of this guide is to provide some suggestions, themes, and resources for clergy planning to give a sermon about or related to Pride Month. “Queer joy is revolutionary. Protect every spark and feed it until it catches and ignites. Having a moment of delight or pleasure doesn’t make your fury less real, it makes it more sustainable.” ~S. Bear Bergman • Questions and Themes by Parsha / Weekly Torah Portion: o Shlach L’kha. In this portion, the spies report that “we looked like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so we must have seemed to them.” How can we avoid making anyone feel like “grasshoppers?” How do we ensure that everyone in our communities feels seen and valued? (Num:13:3) We repeat Numbers 14:18 and 14:20 over and over throughout the Yom Kippur liturgy. How can we think about this model of accountability, forgiveness, and relationship in the context of reckoning with institutional homophobia, transphobia, and queerphobia? o Korach Korach frames his rebellion as an act of solidarity and allyship with regular Israelites, but many commentators understand it as motivated by his own personal desire for power. What can we learn from this story about how to be a good ally and truly stand in solidarity with marginalized people? God plans to punish the whole community for Korach’s rebellion, but Moses and Aaron argue that it’s unfair to hold everyone accountable for one person’s actions. God gives the people an opportunity to distance themselves from Korach before everyone in his vicinity is swallowed by the earth.
[Show full text]
The Chapters of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
Scholars Crossing An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible A Guide to the Systematic Study of the Bible 5-2018 The Chapters of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy Harold Willmington Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/outline_chapters_bible Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "The Chapters of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy" (2018). An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible. 10. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/outline_chapters_bible/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the A Guide to the Systematic Study of the Bible at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy PART ONE: GOD'S DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL-THE PREVIEW (EXODUS 1) The first part of the book of Exodus sets the scene for God's deliverance of his chosen people, Israel, from slavery in Egypt. SECTION OUTLINE ONE (EXODUS 1) Israel is being persecuted by an Egyptian pharaoh, probably Thutmose I. I. THE REASONS FOR PERSECUTION (Ex. 1:1-10) A. Fruitfulness (Ex. 1:1-7): Beginning with 70 individuals, the nation of Israel multiplies so quickly that they soon fill the land. B. Fear (Ex. 1:8-10): Such growth causes Pharaoh great concern, since the Israelites might join others and attack Egypt. II.
[Show full text]
Jannes and Jambres: the Role and Meaning of Their Traditions in Judaism
Sonderdruck Frankfurter Judaistische Beiträge 37 (2011/12) Koji Osawa Jannes and Jambres: The Role and Meaning of Their Traditions in Judaism 1. Introduction In this paper, I would like to demonstrate an example of how traditions in Jewish literature were transmitted and used for a given purpose by comparing a variety of traditions about Jannes and Jambres, focusing especially on their names. As will be seen below, Jannes and Jambres have two kinds of names, and this can help reveal the background of their traditions. First of all, we turn to an example of Jannes and Jambres traditions and recent research on them. 2. The Background of Jannes and Jambres in Midrash In Exodus chapter 32, it is obvious that Aaron and some of the Israelites, presumably the three thousand killed by the Levites, should have been charged with the sin of idolatry, that is, the making of the golden calf. In Midrash Tanhuma, which appears to have been composed around the ninth century,1 however,˙ there is an interesting interpretation of this episode: When the people saw that Moses was so long ...” (Ex. 32,1)2. Six hours passed, (and) forty thousand who came up with the Israelites assembled and two Egyptian magi- cians with them and their names were Yonum and Yombrum ( iunuÕuiumbruÕ ), who had done before Pharaoh the same sorcery as written “and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts” (ibid. 7,11). And all (people) gathered to Aaron as it was said, “they gathered round Aaron and said ... etc.” (ibid. 32,1) (...) Aaron and Hur said to them, now (Moses will) descend from the mountain (but) they did not˙ pay attention.
[Show full text]
PARSHAS VAYEIRA C“Ryz Oeyg ‘Eh by Rabbi Eli Mittel October 19, 2013 the Weqt in This Week’S Parsha (Fk:Hi) States on an External Situation
PARSHAS VAYEIRA c“ryz oeyg ‘eh By Rabbi Eli Mittel October 19, 2013 The weqt in this week’s parsha (fk:hi) states on an external situation. `xie zyxt “my cnr xy` mewnd l` xwaa mdxa` mkyie” - And Avraham This concept is supported by the dpyn in got up early in the morning, to the place that he stood (ak:d) zea` iwxt which states, “Anyone who has one (davened) there. of these three traits is a student of Avraham Avinu - It is from this weqt that the Gemara in Brachos derives “dlty ytp ,(humble spirit) dgenp gex ,daeh oir”. The humble Halacha that there is something unique about a person who sets spirited person accepts responsibility rather than place aside a special place for davening. The Gemara com- the blame on someone or something else. This dcin is in Center ments, “Anyone who sets aside a mewn for his davening, direct contrast to the dcin of Bilam. Hilchos Tevillas Keilim the G-d of Avraham will help him, and when he dies, they This level of humility on the part of Avraham Avinu is Part 2 say on him, ‘Woe for the loss of this humble person and seen at another well-known point in this week’s dyxt. woe for the loss of this pious person.’” When the Torah recounts the story of the dciwr, the The aeig of toiveling milk What is the connection between someone who has a acquired from a ieb only begins word “eicgi” (together) appears three times. The first, after taking full ownership of set place for davening and Avraham Avinu? Perhaps we (e:ak) “eicgi mdipy eklie” references Avraham and Yitzchak the ilk.
[Show full text]
Balak in a Nutshell
Carnegie Shul Chatter June 24, 2021 Look Who's Talking Do you remember Mr. Ed, the talking horse from the CBS-TV habbat Shalo show of the same name that S m aired from 1958-1966? How about Francis, The Talking Mule, featured in seven mov- ies in the 1950’s? Well, a few thousand years before Mr. Ed and Francis, we had Balaam’s talking jackass. And unlike Mr. Ed and Francis, Balaam’s jackass was real. I know, some of you will Light candles 8:36pm Shabbat services10am say the jackass didn’t really talk, that the Torah used this imagery to make a point. But why couldn’t the jackass have Balak in a Nutshell talked? Why do we have to doubt God’s ability to make Numbers 22:2–25:9 things happen, even things like a talking jackass? Balak, the king of Moab, summons the prophet Balaam to curse the people of Israel. On the way, Balaam is berated If God could create the entire by his donkey, who sees, before Balaam does, the angel universe, creating a great that G‑d sends to block their way. Three times, from three fish to swallow up Noah or a talking jackass to confront different vantage points, Balaam attempts to pronounce Balaam were surely easy tasks his curses; each time, blessings issue forth instead. Balaam for Hashem. also prophesies on the end of the days and the coming of Moshiach. How many times in recent weeks have we read about The people fall prey to the charms of the daughters of Moab, our ancestors getting them- and are enticed to worship the idol Peor.
[Show full text]