Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- Current Events
- Understanding Circumstances
Balak, King of Moab, hires a professional "curser" to curse the people of Israel – Bilam, a kind of primeval sorcerer whose name attests that he is – "without a nation" – only focused on himself and detached from the broader national context. People who are "without a nation" have a tendency to "lˈkalel", to curse, that is, to find the "kal", easy, and low side in everything. Another nickname used in the Torah to refer to Bilam is "the open-eyed man" – a person with a partial and bitter view who constantly focuses on the shortcomings (which, indeed) exist among the people of Israel.
The word "bracha", blessing, on the other hand, is from the source of "lˈhavrich", to bend a branch over and cover it with earth, so it will take root and grow a new tree. In other words: a broad view that focuses on the good and the big picture, and therefore produces good things.
The community of people settling in Judea and Samaria is the most wonderful community living in the State of Israel today. Exemplary figures who will be remembered in history. Pioneers, people of Torah, army and settlement, who sacrifice themselves daily for a great truth whose morality is becoming more and more apparent. Within this broad range, there are a number of residents who see their friends murdered and do not have enough composure to respond in a stately manner – wrongly and should be dealt with in the most decisive manner – but that is really (!) not the point now. Parts (small and decreasing thank God) of the media try to bash the settlement enterprise with the blood libel of a "pogrom atmosphere". Do not get excited. The main point now is to strengthen resilience and faith. And the faith is, as Bilam said after admitting the truth, "Mah tovu", how goodly are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. No, do not break the law, no to anarchy but mostly yes! Yes, continue to settle; yes, keep building; yes, add another 1,000 housing units in Eli; yes, ignore the "Bilams".
And yes – we will win because of you.
The bad will pass
The good will prevail
With God's help
