Parasha Balak

par le Rav Raphaël Benizri

Parasha Balak (בלק) — Bamidbar 22:2 – 25:9. Read on Shabbat, July 17, 2027 (together with Chukat).

Summary of Parasha Balak

Balak son of Tzippor, king of Moav, sees what Israel has done to the Emori and is seized with fear. He sends messengers to summon Bilaam son of Beor, to come and curse this people. G-d tells Bilaam not to go, for this people is blessed. Balak sends a second, more distinguished delegation; G-d allows Bilaam to go, on condition that he say only what He tells him. On the way, Bilaam’s donkey sees an angel blocking the road and turns aside three times; Bilaam strikes her, and the donkey begins to speak. Bilaam’s eyes are opened and he sees the angel, who tells him once more to speak only the word he receives. Balak leads Bilaam to different summits and has altars built. But each time, instead of cursing, Bilaam blesses Israel: he describes it as a people that dwells apart, then declares, “How goodly are your tents, Yaakov, your dwellings, Israel.” Balak flies into a rage; Bilaam further announces, for the end of days, that a star will rise out of Yaakov, and foretells the fate of several nations. Afterwards, at Shittim, the people give themselves over to immorality with the daughters of Moav and attach themselves to the worship of Baal-Peor. A man of Israel brings a Midianite woman in full view of all; Pinchas son of Elazar runs them through, and the plague that had struck twenty-four thousand people is stopped.