Balak
Parshat Balak
Balak, king of Moab, saw how the Israelites defeated the Amorites so Balak is frightened. He calls for Balaam, his prophet, to curse the people. Instead, by a miracle, Balaam blesses them. This portion contains poetry attributed to Balaam and some say that this comprises a separate book that was added to the Torah.
First Aliyah - Numbers chapter 22, verse 2-22:12 pp. 894-895
Balak, king of Moab, sends a message to Balaam the prophet to curse the people. God appears to Balaam and says that Balaam can’t curse the people because they are blessed.
Second Aliyah - 22:13-20 pp. 895-896
Balak sends more messengers to try to convince Balaam to come. This time God says Balaam can go as long as Balaam says what God tells him to.
Third Aliyah - 22:21:22:38 pp. 896-899
On the way to Balak, Balaam was riding on his donkey. The donkey sees an angel of God and refuses to move. Balaam hits the donkey and the donkey talks to Balaam. Then Balaam himself sees the angel. Again, God reiterates that Balaam speak only that which God says.
Fourth Aliyah - 22:39-23:12 pp. 899-901
After a series of sacrifices, Balaam prophecies to Balak about the blessing of Israel. Balak is angry but Balaam responds that he has no choice but to say what God tells him to say.
Fifth Aliyah - 23:13-26 pp. 901-903
Balak tries to bring Balaam to a different vantage point to see the multitudes of the Israelites. Balaam again preaches the same message.
Sixth Aliyah - 23:27-24:13 pp. 903-905
Balak tries again and this time Balaam preaches the famous saying – mah tovu ohalecha Yakov – how goodly are your tents, O Jacob.
Seventh Aliyah - 24:14-25:9 pp. 905-908
Balaam continues to prophecy in favor of Israel. The portion concludes with an account of harlotry with the daughters of Moab. Pinchas the son of Elazar the high priest is sent to kill those men who have participated in that sin. 24,000 are killed.
Maftir - 25:7-9 p. 908
Haftorah - Micah 5:6-6:8 pp. 915-917
In this haftorah we have Micah’s message to the people to convince them to repent. “Remember what Balaam the son of Beor answered” Balak, Micah says, and tells them to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
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