Bilam's blessings

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The Story of Bilaam
Dr. Ruth Walfish
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |
The story of Bilaam raises some intriguing questions: why does the Torah dedicate three chapters to this story (Numbers, chapters 22-24)? What kind of figure is Bilaam? Are we meant to admire or despise him? How do the episodes reported in the original version shed light on Bilaam`s final act of defiance (Num. 31, 16) and death (vs. 8)? We will suggest answers to these questions by analyzing the story both from a traditional parshanut standpoint, as well as on the basis of literary clues and considerations.
The Zeal of Moshe, Nadav and Avihu, and Pinhas
Prof. Jonathan Grossman
There is a striking resemblance between the sin of Baal Peor and the sin of the Golden Calf. In both cases, the sin (which involves idolatry and prohibited sexual activity) follows a major public revelation; both sins are followed by a plague; and in both cases the leader - Moshe or Pinchas - commits a zealous act to stop the plague. The similarities also highlight the contrast between the two episodes, and Moshe's inactivity is emphasized in light of Pinchas's action. An additional link to Nadav and Avihu's actions at the inauguration of the Mishkan demonstrates the boundaries of zealousness and the distinction between appropriate and inappropriate zealous acts.
Bilam and Balak
Rabbi Ezra Bick
This lesson will focus on the dialogue between Balak and Bilam throughout the parasha, which frames the story. Balak presses Bilam to curse Israel, and Bilam insists that he will only do as God commands. The message of this episode emphasizes the difference between Balak's beliefs in the power of magic, and the Torah's belief in God, which is represented by Bilam, who experienced both worlds, and demonstrates which prevails.
I Will Bless Those Who Bless You
Rabbi Yair Kahn
What did Bilam attempt to accomplish? What was God's response? What eternal message does the Torah wish to transmit in this section? This shiur deals with these questions by examining Bilam's blessings in light of his interactions with the donkey.
A Commentary on Bilam's Prophecies
Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot
How many parables did Bilam deliver? What is the context of each prophecy and what is the relationship between them? Through a close examination of the text we can answer these questions and notice Bilam's transformation occurring throughout the prophecies.
Balak and Bil'am
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
What is the main message of the parsha, which seemingly does not deal with the narrative of Am Yisrael at all? By examining the various episodes in the parsha we notice the characteristic that Balak and Bilam have in common – the stubbornness that prevents them from perceiving and acknowledging God's control of the world.
Bilam and Balak (Audio)
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 12 minutes
This lesson will focus on the dialogue between Balak and Bilam throughout the parasha, which frames the story. Balak presses Bilam to curse Israel, and Bilam insists that he will only do as God commands. The message of this episode emphasizes the difference between Balak's beliefs in the power of magic, and the Torah's belief in God, which is represented by Bilam, who experienced both worlds, and demonstrates which prevails.
I Will Bless Those Who Bless You [audio]
Rabbi Yair Kahn | 14 minutes
What is the deeper meaning of Bil'am's narrative arc, and how is this connected to the role of blessings and curses in the Torah?
Bilaam and Avraham
Rabbi Alex Israel | 35 minutes
It is difficult to assess the character of Bilam. At first glance, Bilam seems to be a completely commendable character, and a devoted servant of God. Or is he? Why does he have a terrible reputation in the words of the Sages? Bilam appears in an increasingly negative light as the Torah’s narrative continues. We seek to present a fuller picture of Bilam, and examine positive and negative perspectives of Bilam. Following the Mishna's contrast in Masekhet Avot, we compare and contrast Bilam with Avraham. As we explore the powerful parallels, we find that elements of the story of Bilam have been interposed onto midrashic depictions of Avraham's journey for Akeidat Yitzhak.The power of prophecy comes with important choices. Character traits make the major difference in determining the value of one's prophecy.
What Makes God Laugh
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
As we learn from Parshat Balak, Pagan prophets like Bilam had not yet learned the lesson we must all one day learn: that what matters is not that God does what we want, but that we do what He wants. God laughs at those who think they have godlike powers. The opposite is true. The smaller we see ourselves, the greater we become.

This article is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
What Makes God Laugh (Audio)
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 10 minutes
As we learn from Parshat Balak, Pagan prophets like Bilam had not yet learned the lesson we must all one day learn: that what matters is not that God does what we want, but that we do what He wants. God laughs at those who think they have godlike powers. The opposite is true. The smaller we see ourselves, the greater we become.

This lecture is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Parshat Balak - The Book of Bilam
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 minutes
We look at Parashat Balak, and find a stormy relationship between Balak and Bilam. Something strange going on-- why have we jumped away from the main story of Bemidbar to a strange self-contained story- the “Book of Bilam”? Why does it appear in the Torah -what is the connection to the rest of Bemidbar?

Bilam's hubris - his grand claims and arrogance followed by the demonstration that he does not see as much as his own donkey, turns into a commentary on the character of someone else: Moshe. Bilam is a foil for Moshe's prophecy and humility.
Parashat Balak and Israel's Unique Relationship with God
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 34 minutes
Parashat Balak is an island within the book of Bemidbar. What is it doing there?

We look at the story of Bilam's "negotiation" with God and discover that the story may teach us lessons about the relationship between God and Israel in unexpected ways.
We Were Blessed, It’s a Fact
Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky
A People That Dwells Alone
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Where did Jewish singularity lie? The clue lies in the precise wording of Bilaam’s blessing: “Behold it is a people that dwells alone.” For it was as a people that God chose the descendants of Abraham; as a people that He made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai; as a people that He rescued them from Egypt, gave them laws, and entered into their history. “You will be to Me,” He said at Sinai, “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Judaism is the only religion to place God at the center of its self-definition as a nation. Jews are the only nation whose very identity is defined in religious terms.

Why, if God is the God of the universe, accessible to every human being, should He choose one nation to bear witness to His presence in the human arena? This is a profound question. There is no short answer. But at least part of the answer, I believe, is this. God is wholly Other. Therefore He chose a people who would be humanity’s ‘other’. That is what Jews were – outsiders, different, distinctive, a people who swam against the tide and challenged the idols of the age. Judaism is the counter-voice in the conversation of mankind.

This article is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
For God is Not a Man- On Bil'am, Blessing and Betrayal
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | Hour and 7 minutes
What is the purpose of Parshat Balak? It doesn’t seem to fit within the context of Sefer Bamidbar and with the general theme of the Torah. Through an analysis of the parallels between the characters of Bilam and Avraham we can understand the purpose of the story and its deeper messages.