[JOI Word of Torah] Big Tent Judaism: Balak

[Kerry M. Olitzky]

"Big Tent Judaism" Word of Torah

 

June 30, 2007 / 14 Tamuz, 5767

 

Balak

 

Some people write off this portion as Biblical fantasy. In Parashat Balak,
Balaam has a conversation with a donkey. A dialogue of this nature seems
more appropriate for an animated film than a serious religious text. As a
result, many ignore and overlook the implicit message of the portion, as
well. And yet Balaam is not unique-we have no problem with humans speaking
to donkeys-or animals of any kind, especially domesticated dogs and cats who
have become part of our families. So why are we surprised when the animal
answers us? Perhaps the Torah places specific words in the mouth of the
donkey as an interpretation of what is being communicated. The animal is
making a statement in the midst of this Torah narrative, and the narrative
does not leave it up to us to try to determine what that statement is by
rendering the donkey mute. Often animals teach us profound lessons-but only
when we are willing to listen to their "words." 

 

In this episode of the evolving saga of the Jewish people, King Balak
invites Balaam to curse the Jewish people-an apparently effective military
strategy of the ancient world. Before he can do so, however, Balaam is
dissuaded. He undergoes a change of heart, and instead, after seeing the
beauty of the ancient Jewish people and its tradition, offers a blessing
instead. Most will say that the donkey convinced Balaam to transform the
intended words of curse into words of praise. But it is not the medium that
convinces Balaam; it is the message. As much as we think that clever
marketing is the key to making Judaism appealing to those who are ambivalent
toward the community, this Torah portion suggests otherwise.  The message is
key, not the messenger.  Gd can and does speak to us in myriad ways, and we
have to be ready to accept Divine words regardless of how they are
delivered.  That point is just as cogent today as it once was. No matter how
much we manipulate Judaism to do and say what we want, essentially it has to
be able to convince people on its own of its ability to provide meaning and
direction for people in their lives. 

 

Balak heard the words of Gd and was moved to praise and protect the Jewish
people. An enemy turned into a friend; one on the outside became part of the
inside. 

 

But later, in the same Torah portion, the Israelites don't seem to have
learned the lesson of Balaam-that friends may be lurking in the guise of
"enemies" because we have simply named them as such. The text tells it this
way:

 

Just then one of the Israelites came and brought a Midianite woman over to
his companions, in the sight of Moses and of the whole Israelite community
who were weeping at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. When Pinchas, son
of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, saw this, he left the assembly and,
taking a spear in his hand, he followed the Israelite into the chamber and
stabbed both of them, the Israelite and the woman, through the belly. Then
the plague against the Israelites was checked. Those who died of the plague
numbered twenty-four thousand (Numbers 25:6-9).

 

This is held up as a righteous act, for Pinchas is said to be protecting the
sanctity and purity of the ancient Israelites. He destroyed both people, and
by the symbolism of his act, the potential for future progeny as well.  In
their reams of commentary, the Rabbis certainly try portray this event as an
act of justifiable violence. But nothing can justify Pinchas' action.

 

Perhaps Pinchas should have learned from Balaam.  He saw the relationship of
an Israelite and a Midianite woman as a curse, but he could have turned it
into a blessing. The Torah has shown us that we can take lessons even from
talking donkeys; every passage has a purpose.  We should use the story of
Pinchas to gain valuable insights as well. Make this your day to choose a
blessing instead of a curse when you respond to those in our midst who have
come from Midian and beyond. 

 

 

---

 

Rabbi Kerry Olitzky is the author of many inspiring books that bring the
Jewish wisdom tradition into everyday life, and is most recently the
co-author of 20 Things for Grandparents of Interfaith Grandchildren to Do
(And Not Do) to Nurture Jewish Identity in Their Grandchildren and Jewish
Holidays: A Brief Introduction for Christians.

 

To subscribe to the free weekly JOI Big Tent Judaism Word of Torah mailing
list, please send an email to ASchneider at joi.org

 

For more information visit: https://joi.org/mailman/listinfo/wordoftorah  

 

You are welcome to use these ideas in your own work and writings as long as
you would be so kind as to credit Rabbi Kerry Olitzky and the Jewish
Outreach Institute, thank you.

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://joi.org/pipermail/wordoftorah/attachments/20070625/f241b4ba/attachment.htm