Parashat Balak
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==Dread of the Jews== | ==Dread of the Jews== | ||
| − | Balak the son of Tzippor 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.<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:2">Rashi Bamidbar 22:2</ref> Consequently<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:2"/> Moab became terrified of the Jews for they were numerous, causing them to become disgusted with their own lives.<ref>Rashi Bamidbar 22:3</ref> 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. 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.<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:4">Rashi Bamidbar 22:4</ref> | + | 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.<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:2">Rashi Bamidbar 22:2</ref> Consequently<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:2"/> Moab became terrified of the Jews for they were numerous, causing them to become disgusted with their own lives.<ref>Rashi Bamidbar 22:3</ref> 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.<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:4"/> 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<ref>Daat Zekenim</ref> vanquishing the field of all its blessing.<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:4"/> 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.<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:4">Rashi Bamidbar 22:4</ref> |
| − | + | 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.<ref name="Rashi Bamidbar 22:4"/> | |
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Revision as of 12:17, 28 June 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]
References
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