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Balak

Balak 5784-2024

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Bilaam, Prophet to the Nations”
(updated and revised from Balak 5765-2005)

The Midrash says that G-d gave the gentile nations a prophet of the stature of Bilaam so that the nations would not be able to say, “If we had a prophet, we would be as righteous as Israel.” Instead of leading his people to good, Bilaam led the people to evil and corruption. But, is it truly Bilaam and others like him who fail, or is it the failure of the Jews to serve as a proper role model for others?

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Balak 5782-2022

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“How Goodly Are Your Tents O’ Jacob”
(updated and revised from Balak 5764-2004)

Targum Jonathan, the Aramaic translation of the Torah, states that Balaam saw the schools of the Jewish people and was moved to say: "How goodly are your tents O' Jacob?" The "number one" priority in Jewish life is to ensure that committed Jews remain committed. There is no better way of ensuring that commitment, than by providing quality intensive Jewish education for our children. If we fail to do so, then our Jewish future is in jeopardy.

Read More


0 Comments16 Minutes

Balak 5781-2021

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Words of Eternal Truth from the Evil Prophet Bilaam”
(updated and revised from Balak 5761-2001)

Despite Bilaam's best efforts to curse the Jewish People, his prophecies turn into blessings. While Balak, the king of Moab, is terribly disappointed with Bilaam's words, Bilaam's prophecies actually contain amazing and enduring insights into the nature of the Jewish People.

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0 Comments7 Minutes

Chukat 5781-2021

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Paradox of the Red Heifer”
(updated and revised from Chukat-Balak 5762-2002

In this week's parasha, parashat Chukat, we read of the paradox of the Red Heifer whose ashes were used to purify those who were ritually contaminated. The Red Heifer rendered those who were impure, pure, and those who were pure, impure. Perhaps it is teaching us that there is a significant price to pay for trying to improve others. But, we must be prepared to pay that price. It is, after all, the way to achieve ultimate perfection.

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0 Comments7 Minutes

Chukat-Balak 5780-2020

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose--History Repeats Itself!”
(Updated and revised from Parashiot Chukat-Balak 5760-2000)

According to tradition, the nations of Moab and Midian were mortal enemies. As usual, we see, once again in parashat Chukat, that the one thing that unites our enemies is their enmity of Israel, which is greater than their hatred for each other. That pattern has repeated itself throughout Jewish history. Indeed, the deeds of the fathers are the signposts for the children.

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0 Comments6 Minutes

Balak 5779-2019

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“History Repeats Itself! Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”
(Revised and updated from Chukat-Balak 5760-2000)

According to tradition, the nations of Moab and Midian were mortal enemies. As usual, as we see once again in parashat Balak, that the one thing that unites our enemies is their unremitting enmity of Israel, which is greater than their hatred for each other. That pattern has repeated itself throughout Jewish history. Indeed, parashat Balak confirms that: “The deeds of the fathers are the signposts for the children.”

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0 Comments6 Minutes

Balak 5778-2018

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

The would-be curses of Bilaam, that became blessings, have served as a source of great inspiration for the Jewish people throughout the peoples’ challenging history.

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0 Comments9 Minutes

Balak 5777-2017

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Influencing the Will of G-d”

Balaam seems to be able to influence G-d’s will. Despite G-d’s initial decision not to allow him to go with Balak to curse the Jews, he is eventually allowed to go.

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Balak 5776-2016

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Balaam Sees the Kenites"

It is fascinating to see how the Kenites, one small nation, who seems to play a rather insignificant role, has a profound impact on Jewish destiny and on the stage of world history.

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Balak 5775-2015

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Uncovering the ‘Layers’ in the Biblical Narrative”

Students of the Bible need to be keenly aware of the different levels of study and the subtle messages, as they read the words of scripture.

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0 Comments10 Minutes

Donkey

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments2 Minutes

Balak 5774-2014

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Upstaged by a Donkey”

What are the lessons to be learned from Balaam’s extraordinary confrontation with his own donkey?

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0 Comments9 Minutes

Balak 5773-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Balaam’s Second Vision: Lo, a People that Rises Like a Lion"

The commentators differ widely on the meaning of Balaam’s second vision, in which Balaam compares the Jewish people to a young lion who leaps up and does not rest until it has feasted on its prey.

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0 Comments9 Minutes

Balak 5772-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Balaam, the Sorcerer, Becomes a Prophet”

When Balaam comes to curse the People of Israel, he arrives as a sorcerer. By the time he departs, he is transformed by G-d into a prophet!

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Balak 5771-2011

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Taking the Law Into One’s Own Hand"

In response to a lewd sexual act performed publicly by Zimri and Cozbi, Pinchas the son of Elazar responds zealously, spearing the perpetrators and killing them. How does tradition look upon Pinchas’ decision to take the law into his own hands?

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0 Comments10 Minutes

Balak 5770-2010

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"A Nation that Dwells Alone"

There are those who argue that the concept of a nation that dwells alone is a very dangerous and harmful model. On the other hand, the nation that dwells alone is a truly special nation, and that specialness is a great blessing and privilege. When the nations of the world start expecting less of us, then we are in trouble.

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0 Comments6 Minutes

Curses Turned To Blessings

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments2 Minutes

Balak 5768-2008

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The 'Mazal Tov' Conundrum"

Balaam, the prophet of the nations, states clearly that there is no divination in Jacob and no sorcery in Israel. Yet, we often find references to sorcery and astrology in many mainstream Jewish texts. Given Judaism's strong stand against sorcery, how can the popular expression "Mazal Tov!" possibly be reconciled?

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Balak 5767-2007

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The Enemy Within"

Who were Balak and Bilaam? According to Midrashic sources, they are both descended from Abraham's family. Balak was the son of Lot, while Bilaam was Laban's son and brother to Rachel and Leah. Jewish history has a long pattern of evil emanating from good and good emanating from evil. What accounts for this perplexing pattern?

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0 Comments11 Minutes

Balak 5765-2005

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Bilaam, Prophet to the Nations"

The Midrash says that G-d gave the gentile nations a prophet of the stature of Bilaam so that the nations would not be able to say, "If we had a prophet, we would be as righteous as Israel." Instead of leading his people to good, Bilaam led the people to evil and corruption. But is it truly Bilaam and others like him who fail, or is it the failure of the Jews to provide a proper role model?

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

Balak 5764-2004

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"How Goodly are Your Tents O' Jacob?"

Targum Jonathan, the Aramaic translation of the Torah, says that Bilaam saw the schools of the Jewish people and was moved to say: "How goodly are your tents O' Jacob?" The "number one" priority in Jewish life is to ensure that committed Jews remain committed. There is no better way of ensuring that commitment, than by providing outstanding intensive Jewish education for our children. If we fail to do so, then our Jewish future is in jeopardy.

Read More


0 Comments14 Minutes

Balak 5761-2001

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Words of Eternal Truth from the Evil Prophet Bilaam"

Despite Bilaam's best efforts, his prophecies turn into blessings. While Balak, the king of Moab, is terribly disappointed with Bilaam's words, Bilaam's prophecies actually contain amazing and enduring insights into the nature of the Jewish People.

Read More


0 Comments6 Minutes

Chukat-Balak 5760-2000

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"History Repeats Itself! Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose"

According to tradition, the nations of Moab and Midian were mortal enemies. As usual, as we see once again in parashat Chukat, the one thing that unites our enemies is their enmity of Israel, which is greater than their hatred for each other. That pattern has repeated itself throughout Jewish history. Indeed, the deeds of the fathers are the signposts for the children.

Read More


0 Comments5 Minutes

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