Parashat Balak 5782

by Rabbi Margie Cella

Parashat Balak tells the story of the prophet Balaam, who was solicited by the Moabite King Balak to curse Israel. God initially told Balaam not to go with Balak’s men, but ultimately relented, telling him to speak only the words that God would tell him to say. Nevertheless, God was angry with Balaam for going with them, and sent an angel to block his path. Though he was unable to see the angel, his donkey saw the heavenly messenger. Three times the donkey reacted in fright, first leaving the path, then crushing Balaam’s foot against a wall, and then falling down under him. Each time he struck the animal in anger; finally, she spoke to him, asking why he was mistreating her so. Finally seeing the angel, Balaam became repentant. Once again, the angel reiterated that he could only say what God told him to say.   

Balak brought Balaam to a high place from which he could see the nation of Israel; Balaam opened his mouth, and blessings came out instead of curses, angering Balak. Balaam said he could speak only what God put in his mouth. Balak brought Balaam to a second, and then a third, place to try again; each time, only blessings came out of his mouth. On the third attempt, he also foretold that Israel would conquer the Moabites. Balaam and Balak then parted ways, each returning to his place.

In the haftarah, Micah foretells a time when Israel’s enemies will be destroyed; the remnant of Israel will either be a blessing, like the dew, or a curse, like a young lion, to the surrounding nations. He recounts God’s past providence, delivering Israel from Egyptian slavery, providing the leadership of Miriam, Aaron, and Moses, and preventing Balaam from cursing them (a clear connection to the parashah). 

The donkey asks Balaam, מֶה־עָשִׁיתִי לְךָ, “what have I done to you?” (22:28), and God asks the same question of Israel in the haftarah (6:3). Balaam’s third attempt to curse Israel begins with the famous words (24:5), מַה־טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיך יַעקֹב, how goodly are your tents, O Jacob! Micah’s prophecy finishes with him saying that God has told the nation (6:8) מַה־טֹּב, what is good: to act justly, mercifully, and modestly.

God changed Balaam’s words from curses to blessings; we, however, will determine by our behavior whether we are a curse or a blessing for God’s world. God has told us what is good. The choice is ours.