parshat Balak

If you look at this Parsha in a Sefer Torah, you will immediately notice that Bilaam’s narrative is written in “block form” without the usual open spaces (parsha “breaks”) that are found in most Parshiyot.

The Talmud comments it is not the mouse that is a thief, but, rather, it is the hole in the wall that allows the mouse entry into the house that is the culprit. the villain in this week's Torah reading is Bilaam, yet, it is Balak who initiates the entire scenario.

The minhag is to read, as the haftara of Parashat Balak, a section of Micha, apparently because of one of its p’sukim: “My nation, remember what Balak, King of Moav, advised and what Bilam ben Be’or answered him …”. We will suggest another explanation.

A look into the story of Bilaam in this week's Torah reading of Balak which explains the importance of seeing the Jewish People and the Land of Israel with an Ayin Tova - a positive outlook.

A Shiur by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks for the weekly Torah reading of Balak.

A Shiur by Rabbi Zalamn Baruch Melamed for the weekly Torah reading of Balak.