Balak בָּלָק Torah Portion

This short article was created with the help of AI tools and has been reviewed by a translator.

WITH GOD’S HELP!
This week, 10 – 16 Tammuz 5785 (6 – 12 July 2025) the people of Israel read the weekly Torah portion: Balak – Bemidbar (Numbers) 22:2-25:9

Parashat Balak tells the story of Balak, the king of Moab, who was terrified of the Israelites as they were approaching his territory. Here are some key points about this Parashat:

• Balak’s Fear: Balak, the king, sees the Israelite people as a threat and seeks to curse them. He sends messengers to Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, to invite him to come and curse the Israelites.
• Balaam’s Journey: Initially, God tells Balaam not to go with Balak’s messengers. However, when they return with a more prestigious offer, Balaam seeks God’s permission again. This leads to a fascinating episode where God allows him to go but sends an angel to stop him.
• The Talking Donkey: On the journey, Balaam’s donkey sees the angel of God and refuses to move forward, leading to a comedic yet profound moment where the donkey speaks to Balaam after being beaten. This event highlights Balaam’s spiritual blindness and foolishness.
• Balaam’s Blessings: When Balaam eventually meets Balak, instead of cursing the Israelites, he blesses them three times, declaring their greatness and God’s favour upon them. Balaam’s blessings emphasize themes of divine protection and destiny.
• The Sin of the Israelites: The parashat concludes with an account of how the Israelites succumb to sin, leading to a plague among them, showing the consequences of turning away from God’s commandments.

Themes in Parashat Balak

• Divine Intervention: God’s control over the events, emphasizing that blessings cannot be undone by human intentions.
• The Power of Words: The significance of blessings and curses and their impact on people’s lives.
• Moral Lessons: The dangers of greed and the consequences of straying from righteousness.

Parashat Balak is rich in narrative and lessons, serving as a reminder of faith and the importance of aligning oneself with God’s will.