Balak – Peninim on the Torah

“And Bilaam lifted up his eyes.” (24:2)

Rashi explains that Bilaam desired to bring upon Bnei Yisrael an evil eye. Here Bilaam’s three character traits – an evil eye, an arrogant spirit, and a greedy soul are exhibited. Rashi is referring to the Mishna in Avos (5:19) which contrasts the disciples of Bilaam to those of Avraham. The disciples of Avraham possess the attributes of a “good eye,” a humble temperament, and an insatiable spirit. Upon concluding the three comparisons between Bilaam’s and Avraham’s disciples, this same Mishna questions the difference between the disciples. The Mishna responds with the statement that Avraham’s disciples enjoy the fruits…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5752

“And Bilaam smote the donkey to turn her into the way… And she lay down under Bilaam and he smote the donkey with a stick.”(22:23-27)

At first glance it appears, that Bilaam smote the donkey simply in order to turn her onto the correct path. The sequence of pesukim, however, seems to indicate that he smote the donkey in response to her ridicule, a public demonstration of lack of respect. “And Bilaam said unto the donkey, for you have mocked me, if there were a sword in my hand, I would now kill you.” (22:29) It seems incredible that Bilaam would want to kill his donkey for exhibiting disrespect toward him. Indeed, as Horav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik Z”l explains, this is the nature of an…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5752

“And Bilaam smote the donkey to turn her into the way… And the angel of Hashem said to him, why have you smitten your donkey these three times?” (22:23-32)

When Bilaam set out on his journey to Balak, who desired is services in order to curse the Jewish nation, Hashem sent an angel with an unsheathed sword to hinder him. The donkey was miraculously able to see the angel, while Bilaam could not. The angel blocked the donkey’s path three times. After the first time, the donkey veered off the path, Bilaam hit him. This recurred when the donkey pressed Bilaam’s foot against a fence. The third time, the donkey, having nowhere to turn, settled down on the ground only to be hit again by Bilaam. When the donkey…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5752

“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold I cannot go beyond the word of Hashem.” (22:18)

Bilaam offers a noble response to Balak which indicates a deep reverence for Hashem’s imperative. On a superficial level, there is no difference between Bilaam’s statement and our Patriarchs refusal to transgress Hashem’s command. Based on Bilaam’s actual words, the Alter of Kelm Z”l distinguishes between Bilaam’s intent and the approach of the Avos. Bilaam said, “I cannot go beyond the word of Hashem.” He refused to challenge Hashem’s literal words, but he nonetheless sought every opportunity to convince Hashem to grant him permission to go. Hashem percpetion that it was Bilaam’s desire to go, enabled him to leave….

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“And Bilaam lifted up his eyes.” (24:2)

“And Bilaam smote the donkey to turn her into the way… And she lay down under Bilaam and he smote the donkey with a stick.”(22:23-27)

“And Bilaam smote the donkey to turn her into the way… And the angel of Hashem said to him, why have you smitten your donkey these three times?” (22:23-32)

“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold I cannot go beyond the word of Hashem.” (22:18)

YEARS

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