Ten Minutes of Torah

with

Rabbi Chaim Weiner

Balak – 5767

Due to a technical error there was no Ten Minutes of Torah last week.

במדבר פרק כב: יב

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל בִּלְעָם לֹא תֵלֵךְ עִמָּהֶם לֹא תָאֹר אֶת הָעָם כִּי בָרוּךְ הוּא:

Numbers 22:12

But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not curse that people ... ." [22:12]

Abravenel

Balaam's power regarding curses and blessings was well know amongst the nations, as Balak says: "For I know that he whom you bless is blessed indeed, and he whom you curse is cursed." [Num. 22:6]

If Balaam had cursed the people, all the nations would strengthen their resolve as a result of this curse, and would fight even harder against Israel. However, when they heard that God had prevented Balaam's curse and he announced that the people was blessed, all the nations of the earth would know that God's name is upon them and would believe that Israel's victory would be from God in heaven ... and they would loose their resolve to fight against Israel. In this Balaam and his blessings to Israel brought real benefit to them, and this is what Rahab said to the spies: "I know that the Lord has given the country to you." [Josh 2:9] How did she know? Through Balaam and his prophecies.

Questions:

1. Explain the underlined words.

2. What question in the text does he answer?

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S QUESTION:

What problem in the verse is the Midrash based on?

Moses delivers a lengthy speech and puts forward several arguments in favour of his position without receiving any response from Korach. This is unusual in the biblical narrative. Usually, an argument is put forward and then the response is given before the next round takes place.

The Midrash is sensitive to how long Moses’ speech is, and puts forward the theory that Korach was avoiding Moses. The Midrash comes to explain why Korach didn’t respond to Moses.

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Ten Minutes of Torah was prepared by Rabbi Chaim Weiner, based on the methods of Prof. Nechama Leibowitz. Rabbi Weiner studied and corresponded with Prof. Leibowitz for several years.

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