Balak
Numbers 22:2 - 25:9
Précis: Balak, the King of Moab, is fearful because of the success of the Israelites in war against other peoples. He hires a local magician named Balaam to place a curse upon the Israelites. Balaam begins the journey riding upon his ass, which refuses to proceed and actually talks to Balaam, protesting Balaam’s foul treatment of the poor beast. Balaam sees an angel and refuses to complete Balak’s mission. Balak reiterates his command to Balaam to curse the Israelites, but instead Balaam pronounces a blessing, frustrating Balak. The parasha ends with an interesting narrative episode: Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron, sees an Israelite having sexual relations with a Midianite woman (a violation of a commandment not to fraternize with the local population), and he slays both of them and, in the process, staves off a plague that had been threatening the Israelites.
While the vast majority of my weekly musings on the parasha have been aimed at the Torah reading, this week I wanted to look at a verse in the haftarah.
The final verse of this week's haftarah reading from the prophet Micah (6:8), provides an insight into the story of Balaam and his donkey. Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut offers a poignant translation of this well-known verse: "Mortals/People have told you what is good, but what does the Eternal seek from you? Only this: to do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."
In this Torah portion, the mortals Balak and Balaam demonstrate what they think is “good,” namely: to fear alien people (in this case, the Israelites); to take up arms against them; to curse them; to use violence against an innocent animal; to punish those who disagree with them; to allow anger to rage out of control; not to listen to advice or information; and to use a God-given talent (blessing and cursing) in the service of murder.
What does this story suggest that God seeks of people? The answer seems the opposite of nearly every tendency they (we?) have. By means of this story, God would have us love the “other;” resist the urge to take up arms; understand and accept that others may disagree with us; keep our anger under control; listen to the wisdom of others; and use our talents for good.
This is a very tall order, and we will certainly fall short of these lofty goals because we live in a world which can and does take advantage of such efforts. But that is not an excuse to keep from trying.
