Parshat Balak
14 Taamuz 5764

July 3, 2004
Daf Yomi: Bechoros 21

Guest Author:
Rabbi Aharon Ziegler
Associate Member, YICR

 

"Vayikar Elokim el Bil'am" - HaShem happened to upon Bil'am (Balak 23:4)

Twice in the Torah do we find the word "mikreh" - happening. In Parshat Ki Teitzei, regarding Amalek, we read "Asher Korcha Baderech" - that which happened to you upon the way; in our parsha, Balak, we read "Vayikar Elokim el Bil'am" - HaShem happened to upon Bil'am. According to Rav Yosef Dov Soloveichik, Zt"l, the use of these words sheds much light upon both parshiot.

"Vayikar" denotes surprise. "Ulayi Yikreh HaShem Likrati" - perhaps HaShem will happen upon me. Bil'am had serious doubts as to whether the encounter between him and HaShem would ever take place; it was possible, and even probable, that HaShem would refuse to speak to him. Bil'am was very careful in telling Balak "Ulayi Yikreh" - perhaps it will happen, for he had great doubts if the meeting would occur. "Vayikar" means that the unexpected took place.

Besides the element of surprise there is also the element of irrationality in the fact that Bil'am even received divine revelation. Bil'am was a mere basar v'dam (flesh and blood) as anyone else; why did HaShem address Himself to him? Why did HaShem care about Bil'am? We do not understand the true story of Bil'am, and it never will be understood. This in the meaning of "Vayikar Elokim el Bil'am"; why HaShem chose to speak to Bil'am cannot be explained.

The same idea is expressed in the story of Amalek, the battle they waged against Bnei Yisrael as they left Mitzrayim. The land of Amalek was very far from the route that Bnei Yisarel were taking to reach Eretz Yisrael; our people had no intention of declaring war or occupying any of their territory. Suddenly, irrationally, Amalek resented Bnei Yisrael. There seemed to be no motive for their hatred; their ambush upon us was a surprise that cannot be explained in rational or psychological terms. "Vayavoh Amalek" means that Amalek traveled from their distant land: nothing logical motivated them to attack us.

This is precisely what Amalek is. Bnei Yisrael have enemies whose enmity and hostility stem from an irrational fear of Jews. Many of these nations have nothing in common with us; from a rational perspective we are distant from them as they from us; yet, they hate us. The basic rules of logic cannot be employed in a situation of "Asher Korcha Baderech" or "Vayikar Elokim el Bil'am". Both the irrational attack of Amalek and the prophecy that Bil'am received were situations of "Vayikar", happenings that were mysterious and incomprehensible. Our goal is to accept them for what they are and deal with them as they come up.

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