The Parshah in a Nutshell
Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Balak, the King of Moab, summons the prophet Balaam to curse the people of Israel. On the way, Balaam is berated by his ass, who sees the angel that G-d sends to block their way before Balaam does. Three times, from three different vantage points, Balaam attempts to pronounce his curses; each time, blessings issue instead. Balaam also prophecies on the end of the days and the coming of Moshiach.

The people fall prey to the charms of the daughters of Moab and are enticed to worship the idol Peor. When a high-ranking Israelite official publicly takes a Midianite princess into a tent, Pinchas kills them both, stopping the plague raging among the people.

3 Comments Posted

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Posted: July 3, 2007

comment for Yaakov

Yaakov wrote: "I would like to point out that G-d would not allow Balaam to curse Israel, but Balaam did introduce the sin to the Jews which allowed them to curse themselves."

Can you explain this? Is this comparable to:

shoftim 8.27: And Gideon made it into an Ephod, and he set it up in his city, in Ophrah; and all Israel went astray after it there; and it became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

Balaam had little contact with the Jewish nation. In fact Balaam was killed by Moses' on command from the Holy Onefor vengenacne against the Midians.

Posted By mark, montreal, Quebec

Posted: June 30, 2007

I would like to point out that G-d would not allow Balaam to curse Israel, but Balaam did introduce the sin to the Jews which allowed them to curse themselves.

Posted By Yaakov, Cabot , AR

Posted: June 26, 2007

Balak,

Isn't the issue that G-D opens the eyes of Balaam. So it ithe direct intevention of G-d that opens up our Spiritual hearts to receive the Holy Message.

Without this Spiritual awaking we cannot receive the message of the angel o G-d.

Posted By mark, montreal, quebec