Parsha Balak
The lack of humility was the downfall of
Bilaam. For had he simply said, “I am a tool in the hands of G-D. What the L-RD
tells me, I repeat and I cannot move to the left or the right. The people are
blessed. Therefore, tell Balak to make peace with them and even give them aid. They
mean you no harm and it is your mutual interest to ally yourself with them.
They are more powerful than you and will be grateful to you for your help.”
This scene could have played out exceedingly well for both. Instead it ends up
with the death of Midian, the allies of Balak and the death of 24,000 from
Israel because of his advice on immodesty.
[Perhaps I write this because I am in the
States now and I see the deterioration in the society and education of the
young: I have no prophecy but one can see how HASHEM works and all this ‘Gay’
rights, pedophilia is normal, and the trend now to legitimize bestiality is
bound to spark a reaction. Aids did not stop them so will it be an Islamic
attack or two or will it be thermonuclear Hass V’ Shalom (heaven forbid) that
ends this plague. Just read the Parsha and that of Sodom and the workings of
HASHEM and HIS slow to anger show the way. The destruction of the first Temple
took also took more than a generation until the anger and judgement of HASHEM
took place. As for us let us try to remain on guard and not fall into the pit
of thinking that a very small percentage of the population is normal. Remember
the Egel HaZahav (golden calf) was a half of a percent of the population and
look what happened! All the more so 2 to 6 times that population and the
declaration that we should allow their rights. What about the rights of the
majority and the rights of children to grow up as normal human beings? What is
this Eugenics all about? Keeping the population of the masses down this way and
the population of the Blacks in America down with abortions.]
22:2
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And
Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was
overcome with dread because of the children of Israel.
Shimon HaTzaddik was Cohain Gadol and he saw what Alexander the
Great did in Turkey and Levanon. What did he do? He arranged an assembly of
dignitaries to meet Alexander with bread and wine. He humbled himself before
him and greeted him as conqueror of the world. When Alexander wanted to put a
statue of himself in the Temple, he said that instead all boys born during the
next year will be called Alexander. Plain and simple he diplomatically made
peace with a physical military force greater than his and blessed him.
4
And Moab said unto the elders of Midian: 'Now will this multitude lick up all
that is round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.'--And Balak
the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. –
However, Balak did not do as Shimon HaTzaddik but rather sort to
fight spiritual with spiritual and he lost. He never heard of the Idiom, “If
you can’t lick them, join them.” So instead of being prepared for a leery
peace, he chose spiritual and other subversive war measures.
5
And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the
River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying: 'Behold,
there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the
earth, and they abide over against me. 6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse
me this people; for they are too mighty for me; peradventure I shall prevail,
that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know
that he whom thou bless is blessed, and he whom thou curse is cursed.'
He is like a rat in a corner or a little dog vs. a large dog. The
best defense is a good offense. So he figured if he could have them cursed they
would flee him in battle. However, close to the end of 40 years, these are not
fearful slaves anymore. The army consisting of men those 41 to 60 who were
around at the miracles of the plagues, the splitting of the sea and the
revelation on Sinai. Those 20 to 40 grew up as free men with their own army
being trained in the desert. Although they might not be battle hardened by
combat, they knew how to use a bow and a sword as Yacov did when he talks about
the battle after Schem in the blessings.
7
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of
divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spoke unto him the
words of Balak. 8 And he said unto them: 'Lodge here this night, and I will
bring you back word, as the LORD may speak unto me'; and the princes of Moab
abode with Balaam.
Up until this point Bilaam is behaving correctly. Now G-D will
open the conversation with him.
9
And God came unto Balaam, and said: 'What men are these with thee?'
If G-D knows that the men are with Bilaam, it is obvious that he
knows why they are with him.
10
And Balaam said unto God: 'Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent unto
me [saying]: 11 Behold the people that is come out of Egypt, it covered the
face of the earth; now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to
fight against them, and shall drive them out.' 12 And God said unto Balaam: 'Thou
shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.'
At this point our story should end. An honest prophet would stop
and say that they are blessed and advise that peace be made with the two
peoples and pray to the L-RD for peace. However, a crooked and wicked man wants
to show off his “own” power and this will prove to be his downfall. For there
was Edgar Cayce among the Goyim in World War II who had this uncanny ability to
raise his soul up in a trance and there were people who came to him but he did
so in modesty and not with malice. But even before Moshe was born when Yisro,
Iyob and Bilaam came to advise Pharaoh, the had malice towards Am Yisrael for
he was blinded by Pharaoh’s rewards and honor.
13
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak: 'Get you
into your land; for the LORD refuses to give me leave to go with you.'
He made it out that he could not leave at this time and not that
the Nation near Moab was blessed.
14
And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said: 'Balaam refuses
to come with us.' 15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable
than they. … 18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak: 'If
Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the
word of the LORD my God, to do anything, small or great.
Had he told the truth in the first instance, our Parsha would end
here. Pinchas would not become such a hero and blessings of Bilaam would never
occur in the way that they came out. Or perhaps Balak would have asked Bilaam
to negotiate and bless a peace.
19
Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what
the LORD will speak unto me more.' 20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and
said unto him: 'If the men are come to call thee, rise up, go with them; but
only the word which I speak unto thee, that shalt thou do.'
HASHEM knows well whom he is dealing with. This disgusting
individual who feigns abstinence but has a relationship with his donkey based
on the Hebrew wording is now granted to go with his malice and quackery of his “own”
power.
21
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the
princes of Moab.
For such a distinguished delegation and such a famed prophet, you
would think that Balak and his princes would have the best Arabian Steed for
this man. No his fake humbleness has him “riding on a female donkey” like the
Moshiach.
22
And God's anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of the LORD placed
himself in the way for an adversary against him. --Now he was riding upon his
ass, and his two servants were with him.
Humble? With two servants? I can tell you one thing and that is I
am lucky to afford a 3 or 4 hour a week young woman to help my wife with
cleaning the house and not two full time servants. I just have a gut feeling
that those of you reading this will also not have a servant or two.
23
And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his sword drawn
in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field;
and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24 Then the angel of the
LORD stood in a hollow way between the vineyards, a fence being on this side,
and a fence on that side. 25 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD, and she
thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; and
he smote her again. 26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a
narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD, and she lay down under Balaam; and
Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. 28 And the
LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam: 'What have I done
unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?'
Shalosh Regelim meaning the three festivals of Israel where
everybody is required to be an Oleh Regel to the Mishkan or Mikdash.
29
And Balaam said unto the ass: 'Because thou hast mocked me; I would there were
a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.'
The third fence was part of the Gal-Ayd or memorial of stones
constructed by Levan and Yacov preventing a breach of one going against the
other. Look at this one who comes to curse a people but would use a sword
against a donkey. Where is his power to curse the donkey?
30
And the ass said unto Balaam: 'Am not I your ass, upon which thou hast ridden
all thy lifelong unto this day?
Ridden upon also hints in the Hebrew as being used as a wife and
the Medrash interprets this such.
was
I ever wont to do so unto thee?' And he said: 'Nay.'
He comes to curse a people and is told off by of all creatures a
donkey and rebuked in front of the princes who look agast!
31
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD
standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head,
and fell on his face. 32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him: 'Wherefore
hast thou smitten thine ass these three times?
Shalosh Regelim. That is part of the power of Am Yisrael. For even
the weakest of the observant in the Reform and Conservative Jews with their
violations of the laws of Melacha do acknowledge the holidays in some form.
Even the Kibbutzim that purposely eat bread do have acknowledgement of Pessach
is some way for it is part of our blood.
behold,
I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is contrary unto me; 33 and
the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times; unless she had
turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive.'
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD: 'I have sinned; for I knew not
that thou stood in the way against me; now therefore, if it displeases thee, I
will get me back.'
You should have known for starters after your first dream that
these people are blessed but now you can go but your words are going to be
controlled.
35
And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam: 'Go with the men; but only the word
that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.' So Balaam went with the
princes of Balak. …
Now comes the blessing but Bilaam did advise Balak that G-D hates
two things idol worship and immoral behavior and a fertility cult would anger
G-D. So what did he say to Moav? He told them to have their daughters go a
whoring with Baal Peor which was the most disgusting fertility cult which had
as a worship people relieving themselves in front of the Statue.
25
And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his
way.
We see here that he left but when 24,000 of Shimon died, he came back
to collect his reward and then we see that he was killed.
25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and
the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab.
This was phase one. For almost anybody can be tempted especially
if you have a large quantity of temptresses.
2
And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people
did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
The Pshat says bowed down but it was enough for them to relieve
themselves (Peor) in front of the statue for its worship.
3
And Israel joined himself unto the Baal of Peor; and the anger of the LORD was
kindled against Israel. 4 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Take all the chiefs of
the people, and hang them up unto the LORD in face of the sun, that the fierce
anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.' 5 And Moses said unto the judges
of Israel: 'Slay ye everyone his men that have joined themselves unto the Baal
of Peor.'
They opened up a lot of Sanhedrins of 23 to deal with this
phenomena and many were judged and killed.
6
And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a
Midian woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of
the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of
meeting.
Zimri told Moshe that he was married (before the giving of the
Torah) to a Midian Woman and had no moral right to stop him. But 1) it was
before the giving of the Torah 2) Zipporah’s father Yisro was a priest of THE
MOST HIGH and not of idols.
7
And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he
rose up from the midst of the congregation, and took a spear in his hand. 8 And
he went after the man of Israel into the chamber, and thrust both of them
through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was
stayed from the children of Israel.
Being a Cohain he would become Tamay if they died in the tent with
him inside. However, his spear was strong enough and he given the power
miraculously to have them both struggling alive on his spear that he moved them
outside where they died in the view of the congregation.
9
And those that died by the plague were twenty and four thousand.
Our story will continue next week.
The Rejected Ruble by Rabbi Tilles http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=972-44
When I (Yochanan
Gordon) was in Lubavitch, the venerable Chassid and shoemaker, Reb Alter
Berachs, looked back over his life:
In his youth he had learned with a melamed (Torah tutor) whose fee for a half-year's study was 75 kopeks. Most of his fellow students came from the villages around Lubavitch, and the custom those days was for the boys' fathers - when they came to collect their sons at the end of the term to bring them home - paid the melamed's fee then. In the interim the melamed lived... on air. He still needed clothes, though - and where was he supposed to find them?
He went to the Tzemach Tzedek (3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe) to ask for a one-ruble loan. "When will you repay me?" the Rebbe asked. At the end of the term, the melamed replied, when the villagers come to pick up their children - and I will have been paid.
"Now remember," the Rebbe told him, "pay me back at the end of the term!"
You have to keep in mind that a hundred or more years ago, a one-ruble coin was big money; you had to change it for smaller coins. Those were also the times when the township of Lubavitch hosted large trade fairs, when Russian merchants would come from Smolensk, pitch their tents, and show off their wares for weeks on end.
The melamed approached one of those burly characters to change his ruble, and the merchant gave him the coins…but left the ruble on the table. The melamed stood there waiting for him to take the ruble, and the merchant snapped at him: "Get out of the way! You are blocking buyers from coming inside."
He went to another merchant to change his ruble, and again it happened; he wouldn't take the Rebbe's ruble. A third merchant turned in the same performance.
The stunned melamed looked down at his hand to make sure he wasn't dreaming. But there they were: three rubles-worth of cash - plus the Tzemach Tzedek's ruble, intact.
He went to return the ruble to the Tzemach Tzedek. "What's your hurry?" the Rebbe asked, "Didn't we make a condition you'd repay me at the end of the term?" The melamed told him what had happened.
"Petoch, Petoch, Petoch ("Fool!")," the Rebbe told him, taking the coin back.
Reaching home the melamed suddenly realized what had really happened, and pulled out hair from his head-literally! "What have I done?!" he stammered, "I could have been freed forever from my poverty - the Rebbe gave me a ruble no non-Jew would ever take!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the original translation of Tuvia Natkin in Kfar Chabad Magazine-English.
Rabbi Gordon's comment:
This fits the Sages' comment on the verse, Maaseh yadav berachtah ("The works of his hands You have blessed" - Jobe 1:10): Everyone who takes a coin from Iyov (Jobe) is blessed.
Biographical note:
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn [of blessed memory: 29 Elul 5549 - 13 Nissan 5626 (Sept. 1789 - April 1866)], the third Rebbe of Chabad, was known as the Tzemach Tzedek, after his books of Jewish Law responsa and Talmudic commentary called by that name. He was renowned not only as a Rebbe, but also as a leading scholar in his generation in both the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah.
Connection: Weekly Reading of Chukat (outside of Israel), where we learn that the Jews' clothes did not wear out during the 40 years, in the merit of Aharon, brother of Moshe.
In his youth he had learned with a melamed (Torah tutor) whose fee for a half-year's study was 75 kopeks. Most of his fellow students came from the villages around Lubavitch, and the custom those days was for the boys' fathers - when they came to collect their sons at the end of the term to bring them home - paid the melamed's fee then. In the interim the melamed lived... on air. He still needed clothes, though - and where was he supposed to find them?
He went to the Tzemach Tzedek (3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe) to ask for a one-ruble loan. "When will you repay me?" the Rebbe asked. At the end of the term, the melamed replied, when the villagers come to pick up their children - and I will have been paid.
"Now remember," the Rebbe told him, "pay me back at the end of the term!"
You have to keep in mind that a hundred or more years ago, a one-ruble coin was big money; you had to change it for smaller coins. Those were also the times when the township of Lubavitch hosted large trade fairs, when Russian merchants would come from Smolensk, pitch their tents, and show off their wares for weeks on end.
The melamed approached one of those burly characters to change his ruble, and the merchant gave him the coins…but left the ruble on the table. The melamed stood there waiting for him to take the ruble, and the merchant snapped at him: "Get out of the way! You are blocking buyers from coming inside."
He went to another merchant to change his ruble, and again it happened; he wouldn't take the Rebbe's ruble. A third merchant turned in the same performance.
The stunned melamed looked down at his hand to make sure he wasn't dreaming. But there they were: three rubles-worth of cash - plus the Tzemach Tzedek's ruble, intact.
He went to return the ruble to the Tzemach Tzedek. "What's your hurry?" the Rebbe asked, "Didn't we make a condition you'd repay me at the end of the term?" The melamed told him what had happened.
"Petoch, Petoch, Petoch ("Fool!")," the Rebbe told him, taking the coin back.
Reaching home the melamed suddenly realized what had really happened, and pulled out hair from his head-literally! "What have I done?!" he stammered, "I could have been freed forever from my poverty - the Rebbe gave me a ruble no non-Jew would ever take!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the original translation of Tuvia Natkin in Kfar Chabad Magazine-English.
Rabbi Gordon's comment:
This fits the Sages' comment on the verse, Maaseh yadav berachtah ("The works of his hands You have blessed" - Jobe 1:10): Everyone who takes a coin from Iyov (Jobe) is blessed.
Biographical note:
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn [of blessed memory: 29 Elul 5549 - 13 Nissan 5626 (Sept. 1789 - April 1866)], the third Rebbe of Chabad, was known as the Tzemach Tzedek, after his books of Jewish Law responsa and Talmudic commentary called by that name. He was renowned not only as a Rebbe, but also as a leading scholar in his generation in both the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah.
Connection: Weekly Reading of Chukat (outside of Israel), where we learn that the Jews' clothes did not wear out during the 40 years, in the merit of Aharon, brother of Moshe.
From Lenny? Eruv explanation for beginners
and the work on the Manhattan Eruv: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-jewish-eruv-wire-in-manhattan-2016-7?nr_email_referer=1&utm_content=BISelect&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_campaign=BI%20Select%20%28Wednesday%20Friday%29%202016-07-08&utm_term=Business%20Insider%20Select
Archeology
- Plishtine remains found and reveals a lot of their origin and habits: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4826332,00.html
Israel
Archeology find: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/07/07/mysterious-burial-archaeologists-unravel-ancient-shaman-funeral.html
Inyanay Diyoma
Four
suspects in police ambush in Dallas – one dead and three arrested. Terror
related? http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/07/08/suspected-sniper-dies-from-self-inflicted-wound-after-standoff-with-dallas-police-five-officers-killed-in-attacks.html
Infiltrator
from Yarden caught in the Beit Shean Valley: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214691
Iranian
and Hezballah suicide missions in the works to try to kill Israeli Soldiers
and/or civilians. http://debka.com/article/25533/Iranians-Walid-suicide-units-on-Golan-border
ISIS
has a list of 1700 US Religious Leaders on target: http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/07/06/synagogue-church-members-named-on-new-isis-kill-list-targeting-1700-individuals/
From Donald Trump: Last night’s horrific execution-style
shootings of 12 Dallas law enforcement officers – five of whom were killed and
seven wounded- is an attack on our country. It is a coordinated, premeditated
assault on the men and women who keep us safe.
We must restore law and order. We must restore the
confidence of our people to be safe and secure in their homes and on the
street.
The senseless, tragic deaths of two people in Louisiana and
Minnesota reminds us how much more needs to be done.
This morning I offer my thoughts and prayers for all of the
victims’ families, and we pray for our brave police officers and first
responders who risk their lives to protect us every single day.
Our nation has become too divided. Too many Americans feel
like they’ve lost hope. Crime is harming too many citizens. Racial tensions
have gotten worse, not better. This isn’t the American Dream we all want for
our children.
This is a time, perhaps more than ever, for strong
leadership, love and compassion. We will pull through these tragedies.
Republican
Party becomes very Israel friendly: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214820
South Africans planned to attack Jews and
Jewish Institutions: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4827029,00.html
IDF releases drone footage of the battle in
which Roe Klein jumped on a grenade: http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/07/10/idf-releases-footage-of-2nd-lebanon-war-battle-against-hezbollah-where-hero-roi-klein-was-killed-jumping-on-grenade-video/
Russia expands war on ISIS: http://debka.com/article/25537/Russian-anti-ISIS-war-from-Syria-to-Caucasus-
Bedjuin civilian crosses into Gaza: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4827496,00.html
US State Dept. paid for the campaign of the
left: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214864
While dismantling an illegal weapons factory,
a terrorist was killed. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4827707,00.html
Looks like Hezballah/Iran got too close for
comfort as this is not against Assad. http://debka.com/article/25539/IDF-bulldozers-with-tanks-enter-Golan-DMZ
Terror victims to sue Facebook over
incitement: http://www.thetower.org/3618-u-s-terror-victims-file-suit-against-facebook-for-failing-to-block-palestinian-incitement/?utm_content=bufferb4cf7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
India discovers terror tunnel from Pakistan
and purchases border security equipment from Israel. http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/07/08/following-discovery-of-pakistani-terror-tunnel-into-its-territory-india-to-purchase-advanced-border-defense-systems-from-israel/
Hezballah has more missiles and rockets than
NATO! http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/07/12/israels-un-ambassador-to-security-council-hezbollah-has-120000-hidden-missiles-more-than-all-of-nato-possesses/
Ed-Op on Egyptian Israeli military ties: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4827812,00.html
Bastille Day. My friend Meir was telling me a
few hours before the attack that he was concerned for his daughter visiting
Euro-Disney on Bastille Day due to the large Muslim Population in France. Well
in Nice a not so nice truck driver rammed a crowd on a closed street at high
speed shooting and loaded with grenades. Since guns are banned in France and so
are grenades I assume this was not the NRA’s fault. So far 84 murdered: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/07/15/at-least-84-dead-several-seriously-hurt-in-bastille-day-terror-attack-in-france.html
Netanyahu aid named in fraud case: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/215026
Nice attack had truck with bullet resistant
windshield see photo: http://debka.com/article/25551/Nice-terror-truck-had-bullet-resistant-windshield
As I go to publish it is reported that ISIS killed many Egyptian Troops in Sinai.
Be well good Shabbos all and caution in the
States during the conventions for terrorist attack to try to steal the show,
Rachamim Pauli
