The story of Bilaam’s attempt to curse Israel, which turned into a blessing, naturally focuses on the personality of Bilaam. Yet we often overlook the man for whom the Parshah is named: Balak. Yet he is in many ways central to the story. It is he who initiates the whole episode and it is through his insistence that Bilaam continues on his doomed mission. It is thus through the unwitting agency of Balak, that we obtain the wonderful blessings contained in the Parshah. Not much is written about him, but one can glean much from what he does say. The key to his character is his repeated references to honouring Bilaam; a synonym for financially rewarding him. Time after time Balak expresses incredulity at Bilaam’s refusal to do his bidding, even though Balak is willing to richly reward him. From the first refusal of Bilaam to go with his delegation, to his final angry dismissal of the failed prophet, Balak places the emphasis on financial recompense. Balak, therefore, is someone who believes that everyone has a price and everything can be bought. Despite Bilaam’s repeated protestations that he has to do G-d’s bidding, Balak refuses to believe him. Religion, for Balak, is not an exercise in spirituality, or obedience to the will of G-d, but rather a commodity like any other, to be bought and sold. Balak, in holding this attitude, is unfortunately not unique. Many leaders throughout history from the Roman Emperors to Henry VIII, have thought the same. Having a state church does not mean the church controls the state, but the opposite. It is a way of the state using the church for its own purposes. This has had a devastating effect on religion throughout Europe. It is no coincidence that the most religious country in the Western world is the United States, with its constitutionally mandated separation between church and state. The embrace between religion and politics, and especially government, has proved a disaster for religion, whether in Britain, Israel, Sweden or elsewhere. That is why religious leaders should be secularists. It is above all the secular state, neutral in matters of faith, that is the guarantor of the freedom and growth of religious expression in society. We don’t need more Balak’s importuning our faiths. Separate church and state, and do it soon. 

ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS

Rishon	The Moabites, frightened of Israel, ask Bilaam to come and curse them.
Sheni	After prevarication, caused by G-d’s disapproval,   Bilaam agrees to goes with them.
Shelishi	He is confronted by an angel with a sword which is seen by Bilaam’s ass who tells him of the danger.
Revi’i	Bilaam blesses Israel rather than cursing them.
Chamishi	Despite Balak’s anger he does it again.
Shishi	Bilaam reaches the level of prophecy as he rapturously blesses Israel.
Shevi’i	Bilaam looks to the future. The Israelites sin with the daughters of Moab and Pinchas takes direct action.
Haftorah	Micah: 5;6-6;8: Israel should remember G-d‘s love to them as demonstrated in the story of Bilaam.

 

Sidra Statistics

Parshat Balak

·               has 104 verses;

·               is the 7th  in Numbers,  40th  in the Torah

·               8th  longest in Numbers, 36th  longest  in the Torah   

·               has no mitzvot.

 

PAST PARSHAH PUZZLE

No brotherly love.

 

The Edomites (descendents of Esau), refuse to let Israel pass.

 

PARSHAH PUZZLE

 

Jacobite astronomy.

 

WEEKLY HALAKHA

 

The fast on the 17th of Tammuz is only from dawn to nightfall.