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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Balak
To answer, let’s ask another question (that’s the Jewish way!). The very first time that Hashem appears to Bilam, He asks him, referring to the elders of Moav and Midian in Bilam’s entourage, "Who are these men with you?" Bilam never actually answers G-d’s question, and this puzzles Rashi. So Rashi suggests that this was a rhetorical question posed by Hashem in order to entrap Bilam, who is now led to believe that G-d does not see all (since He presumably didn’t know the identity of the men), thus opening the door for Bilam to think he can curse Israel & get away with it.
Nice idea! But I have another thought.
Bilam was obviously a person with amazing potential, for he was celebrated and sought after, and able to communicate with Hashem. It has even been suggested that he was on a par with Moshe Rabbeinu himself! Had he acted differently, he actually could have been the "Moshe" for the other nations of the world. But it didn’t happen. And you know one reason why? Because Bilam associated with the wrong group of people; with hateful, paranoid, vindictive, anti-Semites. And as the saying goes, "If you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas."
I also want to suggest that the title of our Sedra, "Balak," may not be named for the king of Moav after all! It may be the initials of 3 Torah characters who all suffered the same fate, because they had this very same tragic flaw.
The "Bet" stands for Bilam, as we just explained. The "Lamed" stands for Lot; the nephew of Avraham. Lot had the right "DNA" and he
traveled together with Avraham, no doubt learning much from him along the way. He, too, could have been great. But alas, he also chose to hang out with the wrong crowd. He cast his "lot" with the people of S’dom, among the most evil men in history, & barely escaped with his life, let alone a legacy.
The "Kuf" stands for Korach. He, too, had all the tools for greatness: Prestigious family, elite rank, wealth, honor. But he formed an alliance with the Moaners & the Malcontents (not a rock group) - including Datan, Aviram, Reuvenites & some disenfranchised first-born - and their
negative spin on life took them down – way, way down!
So Hashem is giving us some very valuable advice, via this rhetorical question he asks Bilam, "Who are these men with you?!" Choose your friends very carefully, for the company you keep may very well play a major part in determining if you turn out to be illustrious, or just a BLK-head.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
