Balak – Peninim on the Torah

וישב ישראל בשטים ויחל העם לזנות אל בנות מואב

Yisrael settled in the Shittim and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moav. (25:1)

Bilaam tried acting out the façade of the righteous prophet who “could not” curse the Jewish people. In the end, his evil advice to have them stray after the pagan women was tragically successful. Bilaam’s wicked intentions willed out. The façade was over. The Talmud Sotah 22b relates that King Yannai was a scion of the Bais Chashmonaim, who had served both as Kohen Gadol and Melech. He became a tzeduki, massacring the chachamim. As a result, he was reviled by the Perushim, who were faithful to the chachamim and meticulously upheld the Torah – both Biblical and Rabbinic. He…

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מה טובו אהליך יעקב משכנותיך ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5777

How goodly are your tents, O Yaakov, your dwelling places, O Yisrael. (24:5)

Chazal teach that the word ohalecha, your tents, alludes to the study halls, and mishkenosecha, your dwelling places, alludes to the shuls. The similes of tents and dwelling places have found fertile interpretation among the Torah’s commentators. We will cite a few before suggesting our own. The Shearis Menachem (Parashas Vayishlach) wonders why we commence our daily prayers with a statement made by the wicked pagan prophet, Bilaam. He explains that Bilaam made this remark after observing the tznius, moral modesty, of the Jewish people, manifested by each tribe living distinct from one another; the doorways of each home not…

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כי מראש צרים אראנו ומגבעות אשורנו הן עם לבדד ישכן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5777

For from its origins, I see it rock-like, and from hills, I do see it. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude. (23:9)

Tzurim is a reference to our Avos, Patriarchs. Gevaos refer, to our Imahos, Matriarchs. Meirosh tzurim er’eenu; I see the roots of this nation. They are firmly anchored in the tzurim and geva’os, Patriarchs and Matriarchs. It is part of their DNA. Hen am levadad yishkon. They are different in the sense that they live away from the pagans. They dress differently, eat differently, maintain a different set of morals. Bilaam was amazed by Klal Yisrael’s ability to retain their exclusivity. They stood out in a world that was so different from theirs. They dressed with tznius, retaining a sense…

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ויפתח ד' את פי האתון

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5777

Hashem opened up the mouth of the she-donkey. (22:28)

At times, the truth can be painful. It can be brutal. Why? Because it is the truth. Unembellished truth can be enlightening – but, sadly, not all of us are able to withstand the power of illumination. Balak sought to defeat the Jewish People. He hired Bilaam, an evil pagan prophet, to curse them. Bilaam was a powerful individual who had been blessed with being the pagan world’s response to Moshe Rabbeinu. In the end, Bilaam’s intended negative itent was transformed into positive results. Bilaam was not supposed to accept Balak’s offer, but, true to his evil, weak nature, he…

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וישב ישראל בשטים ויחל העם לזנות אל בנות מואב

Yisrael settled in the Shittim and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moav. (25:1)

מה טובו אהליך יעקב משכנותיך ישראל

How goodly are your tents, O Yaakov, your dwelling places, O Yisrael. (24:5)

כי מראש צרים אראנו ומגבעות אשורנו הן עם לבדד ישכן

For from its origins, I see it rock-like, and from hills, I do see it. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude. (23:9)

ויפתח ד' את פי האתון

Hashem opened up the mouth of the she-donkey. (22:28)

YEARS

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