Parsha Talk Balak 5784 2024

Kol Ramah

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, BArry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Balak [Numbers 22:2–25:9] follows closely on the events of last week. Balak, king of Moab, feels threatened by the approaching Israelites, and seeks help from Balaam, a prophet who lives in the wider neighborhood. Long before Mr. Ed featured a talking horse on TV, the Bible had its own story about a talking donkey, who rebukes Balaam for beating him when his path is blocked by an angel. Balaam finally arrives in the vicinity of the Israelite encampment where he proceeds to bless the people Israel several times, rather than curse them as he had been commissioned to do. The parashah concludes with half the account of the curious incident at Baal Pe’or, where the Israelites become involved in questionable behavior with Midianite women. Please leave and comments or criticisms below, or e-mail us at [e-mail]. We continue to be mindful of the hostage and their families, and the men and women who defend Israel as soldiers in the Israel Defense Force. May the hostages be speedily returned to their loved ones; may the soldiers defending Israel be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.