The Weekly Sedra – Balak – Don’t Make An Ass Of Yourself

Poor Balak and Bilaam. If only they had lived in our generation they might’ve received some respect – favorable media coverage; interviews on CNN and invitations to speak at the Hebrew University to tell their side of the story.

The part about the speaking donkey would certainly make for great feature articles. It would likely be noted that Bilaam is not to be blamed for beating his animal. It’s all really the fault of the Israelites whose aggressive posture is to blame for the whole fiasco.

Yet, no matter what the revisionists might say, as far as the Torah is concerned Balak and Bilaam remain the clowns whose arrogance and greed has left them humiliated and disgraced.

The fall of the original spin artist, Balaam – the non-governmental, not-for-profit, one man organization, proclaiming great ideals while at the same time is available for hire – bears a particularly relevant message.

As Israel camped in the desert near the border of Moav a sinister plot was quietly in the making. Balak King of Moav sent a delegation to the skilled magician and a prophet – Bilaam, seeking his services and employ in cursing the Jewish nation, so that they may be defeated in war.

That night G-d said to Bilaam: “Do not go with them [the emissaries of Balak] and do not curse [the nation of Israel] for it is blessed. Balaam arose in the morning and said to the officers of Balak, ‘Go to your land, for G-d refuses to let me go with you.’“ (Numbers 22:12-13)

Were these men upright and honest, it would all have ended right there. “Sorry chaps, I gave it my best shot, G-d said no, it’s over.” Bilaam however, was no less manipulative and twisted than his cohort – Balak, hence the fruition of the ensuing comical script.

In light of all the wealth and honor at stake, Bilaam was not quite ready to call it quits – he was not about to take no for an answer. By mischievously skewing G-d’s clear and concise words he suggested that it was not yet over. There was still room to maneuver.

As Rashi notes, he honed in on the word ”You:“ G-d will not let me go with “You,” he indicated, but he might let me go with a delegation of higher rank. Rashi concludes that Balaam was arrogant, for he did not disclose that G-d had expressly forbidden him from cursing the Jewish people.

The following verses relate how Balak took the bait and proceeded to send missions of more distinguished officers. He was, of course, right. Bilaam was very happy to receive these higher officers, because he truly wanted to go and curse the Jewish People.

Bilaam told the princes, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold I could not trespass the word of G-d… and now, you too should stay the night to see what more G-d will say to me.” (22:18-19)

At this juncture, G-d permitted Bilaam to go since he so insisted, but not to curse the Jewish people. ”Only the word which I shall speak to you, shall you do,“ says G-d. (22:20)

What does Bilaam do? He leaps out of bed in the morning and runs to saddle his donkey. Where did he think he was going? Bilaam went running, even though he had been cautioned that he may not curse the Jewish people. Why did he run? Because he was still hoping to manipulate things – to find a way to curse them.

As a warning G-d sends an angel to stand in the way. Three times Bilaam’s otherwise obedient donkey turns aside. First it turns away from the path, then it scrapes against the wall, and finally it lay down. If Bilaam were not so madly obsessed, he would certainly have paid attention to these obvious signs. As a Prophet he lived his entire life following such signs and omens, yet now he entirely ignores them – glaring and obvious as they are. His obsession makes him oblivious to everything outside of his passionate desire.

Suddenly the donkey opens its mouth and starts to talk! This should have floored him. Still, he reacts not in surprise; he does not fall off the donkey in bewilderment. No, he lashes out instead: ”I wish I had a sword in my hand, because I would have killed you by now.“ (22:29)

Ultimately, G-d uncovers Balaam’s eyes and he sees the angel of G-d standing on the road with his drawn sword. The angel chastises Bilaam for having unfairly beaten his donkey three times. Bilaam responds: ”I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing opposite me on the road.“

What kind of answer is that? Should Bilaam not have said: ”Sorry, I didn’t see you! I thought my donkey got lazy.“ If one doesn’t see, it’s not his fault. He simply didn’t see! What was the sin here?

The Malbim asserts that Bilaam’s sin was his failure to realize that there was an angel there. Under such circumstances, failing to see is itself a sin. It would hence not be sufficient to say ” Sorry I just didn’t get it. I didn’t understand.“ That itself a shortcoming. Had he not been so obsessed with his own agenda he would certainly have understood!

Yet, amazingly he still does not seem to get it. After all this he still proceeds on his way, hoping to somehow find a way to pull off his evil mission. Driven and self absorbed as he is, he cannot see himself sinking. He is totally oblivious to the mockery he has become.

Once he arrives, the story continued in the same vein. Three times Bilaam attempts to curse the Jews, and three times G-d makes him bless them. And every time, Bilaam and Balak miss the obvious and logical conclusion.

Balak takes Bilaam to a place where he could see the Jewish camp, and Bilaam tells him to build an altar and offer sacrifices. Balak does as told, Bilaam winds up showering blessings upon the Jews.

By now, Balak should have either handed Bilaam his head on a platter, or at least sent him home in disgrace. What did he say to Bilaam however? ”Come with me please, to another place…“ (23:13). Let’s try again. I’m sure that was just an accident.

And so they repeat the whole spiel again. Seven more altars. . . an ox and a ram offered on each, but Bilaam ends up blessing them once again. They have really sunk low. Nowadays this would be fodder for the late night shows.

And ridiculous as it seems, the distinguished king and prophet continue at it: ”Come please and I’ll take you to another place…” (23:27)

This is what obsession can do to a person. It doesn’t matter how many facts get in way. The obsessed individual is not rational. He has become fixated on his objective and shall cling to it until the end.

Comic as the story of Bilaam may seem, its lesson has never been more relevant: It’s no Mitzvah to make on ass of yourself.

There are indeed many Bilaam-style visionaries in our day – clinging to irrational dreams long after they are proven wrong, even as deteriorate into a complete disgrace and mockery.

May we learn from Bilaam and open our eyes to the truth that lies before us!