Balak – Peninim on the Torah

Hashem’s wrath flowed because he was going. And an angel of Hashem stood on the road to impede him….The angel of Hashem stood in the path of the vineyards. (22:22,24)

The Torah does not consistently use Hashem’s Name. In the beginning, when it states that Hashem’s wrath flared, the Torah uses the Name Elokim, which implies the attribute of din, justice. Afterwards, it says that Hashem dispatched an angel to save Bilaam from sin. The Torah now employs the Name Hashem which implies the attribute of rachamim, compassion. Why is there a change in Hashem’s relationship to the situation? The Chofetz Chaim, zl, explains that Bilaam was ostensibly endowed with a special neshama, soul. He had the ability to attain very high levels of spiritual achievement. Alas, he used his…

Home -> 5757 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5757

Behold! A man of Bnei Yisrael came and brought a midyanite woman near to his brothers…And they were weeping at the entrance to the tent. (25:6)

The Midrash states that when Zimri brazenly brought the pagan woman before Moshe, he asked him, “Ben Amram, is this woman permitted to me — or forbidden?” “She is forbidden,” replied Moshe. Zimri countered, “If she is forbidden, who permitted you to marry your wife, since she is the daughter of a Midyanite priest?” Moshe did not respond. This caused the people around him to begin weeping. Moshe did nothing to counter Zimri’s brazenness. Surprisingly, he did not even implore Hashem to put a stop to Zimri’s insurgence. The Midrash adds that Hashem inquired of Moshe, “Where is the wisdom…

Home -> 5757 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5757

Behold, a man of Bnei Yisrael came and brought a Midyanite woman near to his brothers. (25:6)

During a meeting of rabbonim held in Yerushalayim, an individual raised a question to the august assemblage. Suddenly an older man arose and addressed the group, “My friends, I am beyond the age of seventy, and I can, therefore, assure you that I am beyond being tainted by the pursuit of honor. I suggest that we render the following decision…” He went on to state his “humble” opinion. Upon hearing this, Horav Leib Chasman, zl, who was one of the attendees at the meeting, stood up and emphatically said, “With all due respect, I must disagree with my colleague. It…

Home -> 5757 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5757

And Balak the son of Tzippor saw all that Yisrael had done to the Emorites…Behold a people has come out of Egypt, see, they cover the face of the earth. (22:2, 5)

This is a paradigm of the sad tale of history, notes Horav Moshe Swiftz, zl. The gentiles acknowledge only that which the Jews have done to the Emorites. Did Balak also notice the violence which the Emorites perpetrated upon us? The gentiles see the Jew through their unique spectacles. They stand ready to condemn any Jewish action committed rightly or wrongly, without consideration and without empathy. Their eyes are closed; their senses are numbed with indifference to the plight of the Jew. Balak said, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth.” …

Home -> 5757 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5757

And Balak ben Tzipor saw. (22:2)

Horav Ze’ev Weinberger, Shlita, writes that he once heard stated in the name of Horav Moshe M’Rozvandov, zl, an ambiguous statement regarding the relationship among Parshios Korach, Chukas, and Balak. He said that the letter “Kuf,” “e” is found in all three parshios. Kuf begins one, is in the middle of the next, and ends the third parsha. Korach, begins with a kuf; Chukas has the letter kuf in the middle, and Balak has it at the end. Needless to say, this statement is enigmatic. What lesson is to be derived from the position of the kuf in the names…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Balak -> 5757

Hashem’s wrath flowed because he was going. And an angel of Hashem stood on the road to impede him….The angel of Hashem stood in the path of the vineyards. (22:22,24)

Behold! A man of Bnei Yisrael came and brought a midyanite woman near to his brothers…And they were weeping at the entrance to the tent. (25:6)

Behold, a man of Bnei Yisrael came and brought a Midyanite woman near to his brothers. (25:6)

And Balak the son of Tzippor saw all that Yisrael had done to the Emorites…Behold a people has come out of Egypt, see, they cover the face of the earth. (22:2, 5)

And Balak ben Tzipor saw. (22:2)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!