Parashat Balak
Parashat-Balak
Contents |
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. 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]
Saying, "A people has come out of Egypt, and behold, they have covered the "eye" of the land, and they are stationed opposite me.
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
- ^ a b Rashi Bamidbar 22:2
- ^ Rashi Bamidbar 22:3
- ^ a b c d Rashi Bamidbar 22:4
- ^ Daat Zekenim
- ^ a b c d Rashi Bamidbar 22:5
| |||||||||||||||||