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The Parshah in a Nutshell
Balak in a Nutshell

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, before Balaam does, the angel that G‑d sends to block their way. Three times, from three different vantage points, Balaam attempts to pronounce his curses; each time, blessings issue forth instead. Balaam also prophesies 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.
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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: July 11, 2011
RE: Who was Pinchas
The plague had spiritual roots. G-d had unleashed it against the people as a direct result of the idolatry and adultery that they were performing with the Midianite women. Pinchas was the grandson of Aaron. He saw what was happening and knew that something needed to be done. When Zimri, a prince of Israel, publically flaunted his Midianite consort, Pinchas killed them both. The plague then stopped.
Posted By Menachem Posner for Chabad.org , Montreal, Quebec

Posted: July 8, 2011
I do not understand exactly how the plague was stopped. Who was Pinchas
Posted By Anonymous

Posted: July 5, 2011
Commentary on Bilaam
It is at times like this that, figuratively speaking, G-D scratches his head and looks down at our people and says "Oy! What my people did to the Torah."
Posted By Anonymous, Brooklyn, NY, USA

Posted: June 26, 2010
daughters of Moab
Parsha Balak is more than just the experiences of Balak. It is about the daughters of Moab also.

In the modern day there are many relationships consisting out of two people of whom ONLY one is of the Tribe of the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Was Moshe not in such a relationship also?

No sin in such a modern relationship AS LONG AS this relationship does not entice you to leave or alter your belief and trust in G-d.

IF this relationship drifts you away from the ONLY G-d, the ONE G-d, who knows when there is a Pinchas on your way?
Posted By Ya'acov, Cape Town, RSA
via chabad.co.za

Posted: June 25, 2010
Balak
I like your comment Mark from Montreal.
I believe we need to listen and obey G-d's voice and be careful not to think more highly of ourselves in the process. That is what I think Balaam was doing, without it being said. He was a prophet who was saught after and he may have gotten a little to high minded and that is why the Angel of the LORD went to stop him and bring him down to earth again, showing him his error.
Posted By Channah Ely, Ft Lauderdale, USA

Posted: June 24, 2010
Balak
You should have mentioned that the prayer we make upon entering the sanctuary comes from Balak--a heathen socerer. "Ma tovu ....." The question is was this a temporary contrition by Balak or as a prophet was he forced to do G-d's will? If the latter, what happened to the concept of choice in Judaism? If the former, why was the "contrition" only temporary?
Posted By Anonymous, Morton Grove, IL

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



 


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