Balak
Numbers 22:2 – 25:9
Balak, king of Moab, fears the Israelites and hires the prophet Balaam to curse them. God intervenes at every turn: Balaam's donkey sees an angel blocking the road and refuses to advance, and when Balaam finally reaches Moab, each attempt to curse Israel is transformed into a blessing. Balaam's oracles include some of the Torah's most beautiful poetry, praising Israel's tents, their destiny, and the future ruler who will arise from Jacob. Unable to curse Israel, Balaam advises Balak to seduce them through the women of Moab and Midian; Israel sins with the Moabite women at Baal-Peor, and a plague kills 24,000.
Key figures
- Balak — King of Moab who hires Balaam to curse Israel
- Balaam — Non-Israelite prophet who is compelled to bless Israel instead of cursing
- Balaam's donkey — Sees the angel and speaks, rebuking Balaam
- Pinchas (Phinehas) — Zealously acts against the sin at Baal-Peor (his reward comes in the next parasha)
Famous verses
- 24:5 How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel!
- 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh; There shall step forth a star out of Jacob, And a scepter shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite through the corners of Moab, And break down all the sons of Seth.
- 23:10 Who has counted the dust of Jacob, Or numbered the stock of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my end be like his!
Haftarah: {'ref': 'Micah 5:6-6:8', 'connection': "Micah reminds Israel of God's salvation from Balak and Balaam and delivers one of Scripture's greatest summaries: 'What does Hashem require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.'"}
Total gematria: 323,290.