From The Rabbi’s Study…July 11, 12, 5785/15, 16 Tammuz 5785
The Torah summary continues with Balak, king of Moab, who sends Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites; Balaam’s prophecies, Balak’s anger at Balaam, Balaam blesses the children of Israel, and Israel practices the cult of the Ball of Peor.
Some concepts and values are Sinnat Chinam: causeless hatred, and curses.
Notable quotations are:
“Even if Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go against the word of G-d, to do anything, small or great.” (Numbers 22:18)
“How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling-places, O Israel.” (Numbers 24:5)
This one text is part of the opening prayer of the daily morning service, for which it provides a wonderful psychological warmup.
This Sabbath, I will highlight the last of our prophets, also considered a minor prophet (minor meaning we have very little of his words).
The prophet Micah, a minor prophet who revealed his message during the eighth century B.C.E., saw the oppression of the Hebrew peasants, who were being robbed and overly taxed by the greedy and wealthy. Micah spoke out against unfair exploitation of the poor. He also witnessed the conquest of the Northern Kingdom by Assyria; Micah predicts that the wrongdoing of the Israelites will bring on G-d’s wrath and ultimate punishment. Eventually, though, they will arise to become a shining example to the world’s other peoples. The Haftarah concludes with this well-known statement: “It has been told, O man, what is good, and what G-d wants of you. Only do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your G-d.”
The theme from the Torah and the link to the Haftarah is the experience of the Israelites with Balak, king of the Moabites, who was one of Israel’s archenemies. The direct reference to Balaam in Micah 6:5 provides the connection.
Also, Micah’s other words we recite during Tashlich!
The most important concepts are that G-d’s requirements include humility, justice, and kindness. These are the cardinal virtues of life itself.
May this Shabbat see the end of the war in Gaza and the return of all the hostages. We pray for the loss of five IDF soldiers and their families. It is now 640 days since the October 7 heinous attack.
Shabbat Shalom v’Am Ysrael Chai
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
