When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. This we read from Parashat Balak (בָּלָק), the 40th weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah readings.
According to Wikipedia, Balak (בָּלָק), Numbers 22:2 through 25:5, contains 5,357 Hebrew letters, 1,455 words, 104 verses and 178 lines of Torah. The story of Balak is an ironic example of the idiom, “Man Plans G-D Laughs”. Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab, tries to hire Balaam to curse Israel, however after Balaam’s donkey speaks to Balaam, Balaam blesses Israel instead.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading, Balak for Shabbat, July 12, 2025 aka 16 Tammuz 5785:
“The Jewish Nation, after traversing the desert for 40 years are preparing to enter the Promised Land. The previous generation that exited Egypt have all but perished because of their continued rebellion and murmurings against G-d and a new generation has emerged to face the challenges of the coming conflicts that will rid the Land of idolatry and immorality. They are a people toughened by the desert and prepared to overcome any obstacle including Balak, the King of Moab, who is fearful that the Nation of Israel will overtake him. He knows, based on reports from his own spies and the countless reports he has received, his army is not capable of attacking or defeating the Israelites. They have overcome the mighty armies of Og King of Bashan and Sichon King of the Amorites, the most powerful armies of ancient times.
Instead of trying to confront us directly, he attempts to engage the assistance of the ancient wizard Balaam whose powers of wizardry and dark magic are renowned in the annals of history. He attempts to engage Balaam 7 times by sending high-ranking nobles and lavish gifts but, at first, Balaam refuses knowing that he cannot successfully overcome the power of Hashem, but his huge ego overcomes his rational mind and he eventually agrees to Balak’s requests. He will attempt to overcome G-d’s power by ascending high perches and using his dark arts to curse the Jewish People and attempt to foil their forward march.
On the way to Balak, Balaam’s donkey stumbles and, in anger, he strikes and curses the animal who then speaks to its and confronts its master. Each time that Balaam tries to curse the Jewish people he is confounded by G-d’s power and the only words he can utter are blessings and acknowledgements of the protective shield of G-d over the Jewish People.
This theme is recurrent in Jewish history. We are a people who commemorate our sad moments in history by fasting and praying as we will do tomorrow on the 17th of Tammuz. Those who seek our demise, even the most evil and powerful rulers in history are doomed to the dustbin of history as the evil rulers and imams of Iran and Qatar, and Russia, and China, Venezuela, and North Korea will discover. Lay your plan and it will fail, hatch your plot and it will not succeed, because the protective power of Hashem is with us to protect us. “How goodly are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel” We are a people chastened by our challenges and hardened by the desert. May G-d continue his protective care over Israel forever. Amen.”
Questions to Discuss :
- What nations of the modern world and individuals in America are similar in their attempts to vilify Israel?
- How do we overcome their evil designs?
- Why does the Torah use the mouth of the donkey to contrast with the supposed power of Balaam.
- Which phrase emphasizes the Power of Hashem to overcome astrology and those who believe in dark magic?
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his smicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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