Chumash Classes: Balak, Part 3

Bilaam is told by G-d that he should not go with the elders of Moav. He asks again and G-d agrees with him going but not with the intent of cursing the Jewish Nation. Bilaam has his own ideas. In his haste he saddles his own donkey. On the road the donkey sees an angel of G-d three times with a drawn sword. The first time the donkey goes out to the field, and Bilaam beats the donkey, The second time the donkey crushes his leg into a stone wall and he beats the donkey again. The tihird time the donkey just lays down in the road and he beats it a third time.G-d opens the mouth of the donkey and it says to Bilaam " why have you hit me these three times? ''. (Ch. 22 verses 19 - 28)