Balak
An Advert in the Guardian signed by over 60 Labour Peers says it all:
“The Labour Party welcomes everyone* irrespective of race, creed, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation. (* except it seems, Jews)
Although most of us are not touched by antisemitism on a day to day basis the developments in the Labour party over the past three years (see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45030552 for timeline of events) is very worrying as it indicates the normalisation of antisemitic rhetoric into mainstream politics.
This week is Parshat Balak where two rabid antisemites try to exterminate the Jewish people. Balak the king of Moab in cohorts with Bilaam the prophet/soothersayer and curser.
Balak saw how the Israelites had been supernaturally victorious (against the Emorites and King Og) and so he realised that conventional warfare would be a failure.
Verse 22:4 describes how Moab discuss the “problem of the Jews” with neighbouring Midian.
“Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this assembly will eat up everything around us, as the ox eats up the greens of the field. Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time”
The Midrash is perplexed:Why were Moab speaking to Midian who they usually were at war with?
The Midrash explains that “because of their mutual fear of Israel they made peace with each other”. Sadly this concept has repeated itself numerous times throughout our history where normally warring factions are united through hatred- just think of Israel’s war of independence and the subsequent wars against Israel where numerous Arab states put aside difference to attempt to wipe out Israel.
Coming back to the parsha, Midian advise Moab/Balak to attack Israel through the power of the mouth instead of the sword. The power of Israel is via Moses (who grew up in Midian after fleeing Egypt prior to the exodus). Moses is the ultimate prophet who uses his mouth to bring the word of God to the people. Therefore to counter this Midian pervertedly suggest that Moab come against Israel with the “power of the mouth”, through curses.
And so this is how Bilaam gets the job. He was the celebrity Soothsayer of his day.
We would say that Bilaam is the first antisemite to attempt to use words against Israel.
Imagine we were reading the story for the first time, we should really know how the story will end because Hashem already told Abraham (the first “Jew”)
“Those that bless you will be blessed and those that curse you will be cursed”
In the end Bilaam is unable to utter a curse and blesses Israel with some of the greatest Blessings of the Torah!
We recite his blessing each morning as we begin Shacharit
“How goodly are your tents Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel”
Before we pray we acknowledge our self worth as Jews!
Bilaam also describes the Israelites as a “people that dwells alone”
This can be seen as a positive and also negative thing.
Positive: In its positive sense we do dwell apart from the rest of the people’s of the world.We ARE different and should be proud of that. Today’s buzz phrase is “equality and diversity”
The truth is that Jews invented the concept. We brought to the world the concept that whilst God is One, He created a world of diversity.
Our job as Jews is to reveal that unity amidst the diversity.
we repeat this idea 3 times daily in the last sentence of each Teffilah – a verse from the prophet Zechariyah – “and on that day Hashem and His name will be One”
Negative:
As a people whilst we live by a different and holy code, we must be careful to ensure we are still engaged with the real world in all areas. How else can we positively be a light to nations?
To dwell alone spiritually is one thing we can not avoid. Have you ever felt being alone in a crowd?
But practically we cant completely closet ourselves away.
Since the walls of the shtetle came “tumbling down” each community has grappled with this profound dilmemma. Integrate too much and we assimilate. Close ourselves off and we fail our Divine mission on a certain level.
But one thing remains true and I see it in my daily life.
The more we live our Judaism openly unabashed by onlookers, the more paradoxically we are admired. Non Jews respect Jews who respect themselves.
Fast forward to today:
We are truly blessed to live in a democratically free country where we are free to express our views. Unlike the generations of Jews who preceded us who had to live under intolerable regimes we are able to voice our moral outrage at the actions as well as the lack of action of the current Labour party leadership.
This Sunday marks the fast of the 17th of Tamuz (actually Sunday is the 18th as we cant fast on Shabbat). Among the numerous tragedies that occurred to our nation was the Romans breaching the walls of Jerusalem on their infamous march to destroy the Temple.
We fast to commemorate the tragedy and to collectively atone for the sin that is at the root of all our troubles – baseless hatred.
Let us thank Hashem that the Jewish people does have many friends in this country who are standing up for the Jewish people.
But what can we do?
On a spiritual level this is a call for us to strengthen our Judaism in some small way.
For every antisemitic sentiment expressed let us counter it with a Teffilah, a Mitzva an Act of Chessed or some Torah learning.
And please God very soon Bilaams greatest prophecy of all* – the coming of Moshiach will become a reality.
Shabbat Shalom!
* Bilaam says
I see it, but not now; I behold it, but not soon. A star has gone forth from Jacob, and a staff will arise from Israel
According to the talmud and also recorded in the Halachic code of Maimonides,
the phrase couplet phrases refer to King David and Moshiach respectively
“I see it but not now” refers to King David
“I behold it, but not soon”- refers to Moshiach
“A star has gone forth from Jacob” refers to King David
“and a staff will arise from Israel “- refers to Moshiach
It is fascinating that the Torah provides a hint to the concept of Moshiach via the very person who sought our destruction.
