LEARNING THE OPINIONS OF CONSERVATIVES,
REFORM AND ORTHODOX JEWS ON TORAH
* CHILDREN *
Rembrandt
In this week's Torah portion, we meet Balaam, one of the seven non-Israeli prophets. It's funny to note that Balaam, unlike the Israelite prophets, has nothing but high praise for the Land of Israel!
No Rest(s) For The Wicked
Unlike Jewish prophets, Balaam was merely a mouthpiece for the word of God, not an active participant engaged in transmitting God's message to humanity.
The following article is reprinted with permission from the Union for Reform Judaism.
According to the Rabbis, Balaam was one of seven non-Israelite prophets. (One list also includes Balaam's father, as well as Job and the four friends who came to "comfort" him. Another list includes Adam and Noah.) God does not speak only to Israel, but the Rabbis detect important differences in the way God speaks to Israelite prophets. R. Hama the son of R. Hanina said, "To the prophets of the world, the Holy One appears with half-speech only; but to the prophets of Israel, with complete speech, clear speech, affectionate speech.MORE>
According to the Rabbis, Balaam was one of seven non-Israelite prophets. (One list also includes Balaam's father, as well as Job and the four friends who came to "comfort" him. Another list includes Adam and Noah.) God does not speak only to Israel, but the Rabbis detect important differences in the way God speaks to Israelite prophets. R. Hama the son of R. Hanina said, "To the prophets of the world, the Holy One appears with half-speech only; but to the prophets of Israel, with complete speech, clear speech, affectionate speech.MORE>
Brinbergh
Miriam and Aaron die and Moses and the Israelites must fight against the Edomites, Canaanites, Emorites and Amorites to continue toward God’s Promised land. Each time God helps the children of Israel win. Now, Balak, the King of Moab, saw how the Hebrews had won these wars.
Balak sends messengers to Balaam, and son of Beor, to tell him about the powerful Hebrews, “Come with us Balaam to curse these Hebrews. We know that whomever you bless Balaam is blessed and whomever you curse is cursed.” Balaam answered. “Spend the night here. God will speak to me and then I will give you an answer.” Later God said to
According to the Rabbis, Balaam was one of seven non-Israelite prophets. (One list also includes Balaam's father, as well as Job and the four friends who came to "comfort" him. Another list includes Adam and Noah.) God does not speak only to Israel, but the Rabbis detect important differences in the way God speaks to Israelite prophets. R. Hama the son of R. Hanina said, "To the prophets of the world, the Holy One appears with half-speech only; but to the prophets of Israel, with complete speech, clear speech, affectionate speech. * MORE *
According to the Rabbis, Balaam was one of seven non-Israelite prophets. (One list also includes Balaam's father, as well as Job and the four friends who came to "comfort" him. Another list includes Adam and Noah.) God does not speak only to Israel, but the Rabbis detect important differences in the way God speaks to Israelite prophets. R. Hama the son of R. Hanina said, "To the prophets of the world, the Holy One appears with half-speech only; but to the prophets of Israel, with complete speech, clear speech, affectionate speech. * MORE *
Unlike Abraham, Bil'am failed to examine his own prayers and intentions, attributing their failure to his location of prayer.
from Orthodox Union
When it comes to prophecy, our Sages compare Balaam to Moshe Rabbeinu (our teacher): "Never again has there arisen in Israel a prophet like Moshe. But among the Babylonians one did arise. Who is this? Balaam, son of Ba’or."
Regarding character traits, however, our Sages compare Balaam with Avraham Avinu (our father): "A generous eye, a humble spirit and an undemanding soul, these are the characteristics of the disciples of Avraham; An evil eye, a haughty spirit and a demanding soul, these are the characteristics of the disciples of Balaam."
Where did our sages see evidence of Balaam’s haughty spirit? Under which similar circumstances did Avraham Avinu display a humble temperament?
from Torah Topics for Today
Wise Choices & Strong Internal Resources
Balak: A resource for families
Endless choices face us each day, relatively casual choices like what to eat for dinner, and ones that are more profound, such as "should I tell the truth in this situation?" At times we have a strong feeling about the right choice in a given situation. But because of undue pressure from family or friends, we might make what we feel to be the wrong decision. This pressure is multiplied in the lives of children. Peer pressure is unduly strong in a child’s life and can lead to decisions that are not wise or morally sound.
In our Torah parashah this week much pressure is put on a non-Israelite prophet, Bilaam, to curse the Israelites. God gives explicit instructions to the prophet, telling him that he cannot curse the Israelites. However, Balaam seems tempted by the riches and honor that he will receive from the King of Moab, if only he would curse the Israelites. But Bilaam ultimately discovers that he doesn’t have the power to curse the Israelites. He only has the power to bless them, according to God’s will MORE
In our Torah parashah this week much pressure is put on a non-Israelite prophet, Bilaam, to curse the Israelites. God gives explicit instructions to the prophet, telling him that he cannot curse the Israelites. However, Balaam seems tempted by the riches and honor that he will receive from the King of Moab, if only he would curse the Israelites. But Bilaam ultimately discovers that he doesn’t have the power to curse the Israelites. He only has the power to bless them, according to God’s will MORE
HARAV * KOOK *
* TORAH * INSTITUTE
The evil prophet Balaam wanted to curse the people of Israel, but instead found himself blessing them, "How goodly are your tents, Jacob; your dwelling places, Israel" (Num. 24:5).
Is the repetition in Balaam's blessing only poetic? Or is there a deeper significance to these two forms of shelter, the ohel (tent) and the mishkan (dwelling place)?
The Journey of the Soul
As we strive to grow spiritually, we make use of two contradictory yet complementary methods. The first method is our aspiration to constantly improve ourselves. We strive to attain greater wisdom and enlightenment. We seek to continually refine the emotions and ennoble the spirit. MORE
Together with Shema
In the parashah of Balak, we find prophetic verses of exquisite beauty, and an inspiring story of God's protection over the Jewish people. But to truly appreciate this Torah portion, one should ponder a remarkable teaching of the Sages.
The Talmud (Berachot 12b) relates that the rabbis contemplated incorporating this reading into the daily prayers, alongside the recitation of the Shema. This is truly an astounding statement. What lesson is contained in the words of Balaam — a villainous prophet, steeped in senseless hatred for the Jewish people — that could possibly compare to the Torah's most fundamental beliefs, as affirmed in the Shema, the centerpiece of Jewish prayers? MORE
Dreamt a disturbing dream, but can't remember it? The Talmud recommends reciting the following prayer while the kohanim bless the people:
"Master of the World! My dreams and I belong to You.... If the dreams are good — bolster them like the dreams of Joseph. And if they need to be remedied — fix them like the bitter waters that Moses sweetened... Just as You transformed the curses of wicked Balaam into blessings, so too, make all of my dreams be for the best." (Berachot 55)
Transforming Bad Dreams
There are two ways in which evil tidings may be transformed into good ones. In the first way, the means remain unfavorable, but the final result is good. One example is the sale of Joseph into slavery and his subsequent imprisonment MORE
The Weird Worship of Peor
After failing to curse the people of Israel, Balaam devised another plan to make trouble for the Jewish people. He advised using Moabite and Midianite women to entice the Israelite men into worshipping Baal Peor. How was this idol worshipped? The word Peor means to 'open up' or 'disclose.' According to the Talmud, the worshippers would bare their backsides and defecate in honor of the idol. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 64a) illustrates the repulsive nature of this particular idolatry with the following two stories:MORE
Mica Hanavie / James Tissot / 1896- 1902
God tells the people of Israel
what He really wants.
The haftarah selection is from Micah 5:6-6:8.
In this week's haftarah Micah gives a series of short prophecies directed at the Israelites in exile, whom he refers to as the "remnant of Jacob." Though the people may feel like droplets of dew, hopelessly spread out upon other nations, their renewal will come from God. Ultimately, they will rise like a lion and trample their foes. This transformation, from a tiny drop of water to the king of all animals, symbolizes the changes that will come MORE to the people of Israel. They will go from being very weak to very strong.
In this week's haftarah Micah gives a series of short prophecies directed at the Israelites in exile, whom he refers to as the "remnant of Jacob." Though the people may feel like droplets of dew, hopelessly spread out upon other nations, their renewal will come from God. Ultimately, they will rise like a lion and trample their foes. This transformation, from a tiny drop of water to the king of all animals, symbolizes the changes that will come MORE to the people of Israel. They will go from being very weak to very strong.
JEWISH WORLD NEWS
The young Israeli composer
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