Dvar Torah Parshat Balak 5776 2016 Power of Speech

Why did Balak call upon Bilam? He heard that Moshe had a great influence upon Bnei Israel with the many speeches he made. He thought he could counter Moshe’s success by bringing in another personality that had
a great reputation that he could affect many changes with his speech. Bilam was the right man for him.
Bilam was finally convinced to come at Balak’s bidding. A strange thing happened during his trip to Balak. The beast he was riding on suddenly started to speak. What was the message that Hashem was sending to Bilam? Plain and simple, Bilam was told that his ability to influence changes with his speech, is meaningless. He was demonstrated that even a beast can be made to speak.

There are many people who speak well and influence people. It does not mean that the message the speaker is sending is the right one. It depends on who is speaking and what he has to say. Moshe spoke in the name of Hashem so his words were heeded. Bilam spoke in the name of Balak and his words ended up ineffective.

We must be very careful what speaker we go to hear and what speaker’s words we take to heart.
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Dvar Torah Parshat Balak 5772 2012

When Bnei Yisrael were approaching the land of Moav, the king Balak sent to Bilam to come and cast a spell over the approaching nation. This is a strange means of warfare. Why didn’t he send out his army to fight them?

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabah Balak 20) states that Balak recognized Moshe’s victories were not normal. So he consulted with the leaders of Midyan, where Moshe had lived for many years, as to how to deal with him.
They advised him that Moshe’s strength is in is mouth. Hence Balak invited Bilam whose strength was also in his mouth, to come and cast a spell on the Israelites.

The State of Israel in modern times has won all its wars since the establishment of the country. True, it has a strong military. That in itself may not be the answer. Others also have strong militaries. The difference is the same difference that Moshe had over the enemies of his day. He had the help of the Almighty.

Israel today has the same support of the Almighty. There are people who may not want to recognize it but there is no other explanation that can be given why a little country like Israel can defend itself against overwhelming odds. Also, no rational reason can be given why a little country without the vast resources of other large and mighty nations, can be so innovative and offer the world so much in every field of endeavor.

Dvar Torah Parshat Pinchas 5770 2010

We have two consecutive Sidrot named after individuals, Balak and Pinchas. These two personalities stand on opposite ends of the spectrum. Balak was afraid of the Israelites who were drawing close to his land. He wanted to annihilate them. What did he do? He did not depend on his own ability but chose to call someone else to do the job for him.

Pinchas, on the other hand, saw an injustice and recognized that this wrong requires correction and a serious action was called for. He did not depend on a third party but did himself what was necessary. This follows along the advice given by the great sage Hillel in Pirke Avot: BEMAKOM SHEH’EN ANASHIM HISHTADEL LEHIYUT ISH, “In a place where there are no leaders try to be a leader. (Avot 2;6)

What were the results of what both of these men did? Balak did not succeed. His intentions were defeated and no one was able to help him. Pinchas, however, succeeded in stopping the wrong that was going on and Hashem rewarded him for his actions.

When we see an incident that requires taking immediate action, whether it is to help someone in distress or to prevent a wrong doing, we should not stand by and wait for someone else to perform. We ourselves should act without hesitation.

Dvar Torah Parshat Balak 5770 2010

When Balak sent messengers to Bila’am to come and cast a spell on the Israelites, Hashem appeared to Bila’am in his dream and had a conversation with him which, based on a Midrash, Rashi records. Hashem asked, “Who are these people? Bila’am replied, “They were sent by Balak that I should come and curse the Israelites.” Hashem told him not to go. Then Bila’am said he would curse them from his home. Again Hashem answered “Do not curse them at all.” Then Bila’am said, “I will bless them.” Again Hashem said, “They don’t need your blessings for they are already blessed.”

Then Rashi adds a statement from the Midrash which has become an oft quoted Rabbinic parable, “One says to the hornet: LO MEDUVSHACH VELO ME’UKTZACH, not from your honey nor from your sting.” (Num. 22,12)

What is the meaning of this quotation and what is its implication here? Simply it means I don’t want anything from you; not your good and not your bad.

The Jewish people throughout history have been physically assaulted and harassed by its enemies who tried to annihilate us. It did not work. We were able to withstand the assault. So they tried a different tactic, with kindness. They accepted us into their society and through assimilation we lost great numbers of Jews. This is what the quotation implies. We don’t want your sting and we don’t need your honey. Just let us go our own way.

This is what Hashem was saying to Bila’am. Do not go. Do not curse them and do not bless them. Anything coming from you is harmful to them. Let them live their own way.

Dvar Torah Parshat Balak 2009 5769

Bilam came to curse the Children of Israel and instead he ended up praising them. He even made a wish: TAMOT NAFSHI MOT YESHARIM UTEHI ACHRITI KAMOHU, “…may my soul die the death of the upright, and may my end be like his.” (Num. 23,10)

Bilam wanted to die like a Jew for he knew that Jews go on to Gan Eden. Furthermore, Jews, because of their traditions, live on even after they leave this world. They leave offspring who continue to live lives similar to that of their departed ones.

Interesting, Bilam wanted the end result and the product of living a Jewish life but did not want the effort to live a Jewish life. The truth is that it is not easy to live like a Jew. The Mitzvot are numerous and some are not easy at all to perform or observe. However, the results of a Jewish life are immeasurable. While there is much hatred against the Jews the world realizes that the Jewish life style certainly has great desirable results. Bilam wanted the results but not the effort required.