Parashat Balak

Revision as of 17:39, 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]

Requesting Balaam

Balak sent messengers to Bilaam the son of Beor, inviting him for his personal benefit, promising him a large sum of money.^[5] Bilaam lived in Pethor, which was named after his practice since all the kings would rush their letters to him asking him for advice just like money changer (פְּתוֹרָה) to whom everyone rushes to exchange coins.^[5] Pethor was located by the river near the area where Balak was raised.^[5] Balak had previously visited Bilaam who had prophecized that one day he was destined to rule, a prophecy which had now come true.^[5]

The messengers informed Bilaam that a people have come out of Egypt killing Sichon and Og, the guardians of the land^[5] which is comparable to covering the "eye" of the land, causing him personal harm.^[5] The Jews are now stationed opposite Moav, close by and ready to cut them down.^[5]. They invited Bilaam to come and curse the Jews for they are too powerful for Moav. Perhaps Balak and his nation^[6] will then be able to wage war against them and drive them out of the land or at least diminish them somewhat.^[6]. They remind Bilaam that they are very aware of his powers; whomever he blesses is blessed and whomever he curses is cursed as they saw in their war against Sichon, where Bilaam helped him defeat Moav.^[6]

Prophecy of Balaam

Bilaam was wicked gentile yet Hashem bestowed His Shechinah upon him so the nations could excuse their bad actions and claim they would have repented had they repented. Not only did Bilaam not lead the Nations to repentance he breached the morally accepted barrier, for at first they had refrained from immorality, but Bilaam advised them to offer themselves freely for immorality.^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Rashi Bamidbar 22:2
2. ^ Rashi Bamidbar 22:3
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Rashi Bamidbar 22:4
4. ^ Daat Zekenim
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Rashi Bamidbar 22:5
6. ^ ^{a b c} Rashi Bamidbar 22:6