In Parshat Balak, the theme of animals keeps popping up: Balak, the king of Moav’s father was named Bird (Tzipor). Bilam, the sorcerer rode a she donkey (aton). Bilam asked Balak to prepare seven altars where they sacrificed a bull (par) and ram (ayil) on each...
Would we name a parsha after Sinwar, who wants to see the annihilation of the Jewish people?Why do we have a parsha named after Balak, one of our greatest enemies, who was already looking for our destruction even before we entered the Land of Israel?Balak (the...
In Parshat Balak (Bamidbar, Chapters 22-23), Balak hired Bilam to curse B’nai Yisrael so that it would be easier for him to destroy them. In Chapter 23 (verses 1-2, 14, 29-30), on three different occasions, Bilam directed Balak to set up seven altars where...
Parshat Balak is named for the first verse in the Parsha (Bamidbar 22:2): “And Balak the son of Tzipor saw all that Yisrael did to the Emori.”However, if you want to know where it all took place, you have to go back one verse, to Bamidbar 22:1 (the last...
In Melachim I 14:15, the Jewish prophet, Achiya the Shiloni prophesied against the king, Yeravam ben Navat for leading B’nai Yisrael to worship idolatry:God will smite Israel as a reed lurches about in the water, and He will uproot Israel from upon this...
The Haftara for Parsha Balak is from Micha 5:6-6:8.In the first verse of the Book of Micha (the sixth book of Trei Asar) we learn that Micha was a prophet during the reigns of Yotam, Achaz and Hezkia (kings of Yehuda) and that he prophesied to both the Northern and...
In Parshat Balak, Bilam is commanded by Balak, the king of Moav to curse B’nai Yisrael. Although the Torah does not waste words, Bilam’s means of transportation which he is hoping will quickly get to his destination is described at length in Bamdbar...
Dedicated by Malya and Yehudah Kunstler in honor of the marriage of their daughter, Zahava to Itamar Lustiger In the Haftara for Parshat Balak (Micha 5:6-6:8), we read the prophecy of Micha which recalls some of the ways in which God protected B’nai...
Sponsored by Sharona and Josh Halickman in Honor of their 20th Wedding Anniversary!In Parshat Balak (Bamidbar 23:23) Bilam declares: “Ki lo nachash b’Yaakov v’lo kesem b’Yisrael”, “There is no divination in Yaakov and no sorcery...
In Parshat Balak, when Bilam (our enemy) blessed Israel (Bamidbar 23:9) he said “For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from hills I behold him. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude (am levadad yishkon) and not be reckoned among the...
In Honor of Sharona and Josh Halickman’s 19th AnniversaryIn Parshat Balak we read about Bilam, a prophet who on the one hand wants to follow God’s instructions not to curse the Jewish people yet on the other hand wants to follow King Balak’s...
In Honor of Sharona and Josh Halickman’s 17th wedding AnniversaryBalaam, the sorcerer and enemy of the Jews was sent by Balak the King of Moav to curse the Jews. However, God did not want the Jewish people to be cursed so he miraculously turned the curse into...
Sponsored by www.househunt.co.il Israel's new English language Israeli real estate online bulletin. Find homes in Israel for sale and rent or short term vacation rentals. For the latest updates, join our facebook group at:...
Sponsored by The Sports Rabbi www.sportsrabbi.com The prophets of Israel were not interested in being prophets. Not only were they not looking for the honor, in many cases they tried to turn down the job. Some of the most well known prophets...
Dedicated in Honor of Sharona & Josh Halickman's 14th Wedding Anniversary The Mishna in Pirkei Avot 5:22 teaches: Whoever has the following three traits is among the disciples of our forefather Avraham and whoever has three different traits is...
Parshat Balak begins with the words “And Balak ben Tzippor saw all that Yisrael had done to the Emori. And Moav became terrified of the people of Israel because of their great numbers” (Bamidbar 22:2-3).The Gur Aryeh says that Balak did not witness the...
DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF LOUIS LEVINE, BARUCH ARYEH BEN AVRAHAM HALEVI Z""LPirkei Avot 5:6 lists ten miracles that were created on the friday of creation, right before twilight: The mouth of the earth that swallowed KorachThe mouth of the well that supplied the...
In Parshat Balak, the wicked Balaam, who intended to curse the Jewish people ended up being forced by God to pronounce blessings upon them. In Balaam’s second blessing (Bamidbar 23:24), he uses the following parable: “Hen am k’lavie yakum v’chari yitnansa”, “Behold...