Parshat Balak
9 Tamuz 5768

July 12, 2008
Daf Yomi: Sotah 49

Guest Author:
Rabbi Dov E. Schreier
Rabbi, Young Israel of North Bellmore, NY

 

 

Parshas Balak

GUEST RABBI: Rabbi Dov E. Schreier Rabbi, Young Israel of North Bellmore, NY

9 Tamuz 5768 July 12, 2008 Daf Yomi: Sotah 49

 

As Diaspora Jews, our eyes are constantly focused toward the Land of Israel.  More than just keeping up with another daily news story, staying in touch with the latest news from Israel is ingrained in the blood of most of those associated with Young Israel Synagogues. The frequency of visits by members of my own shul, as well as those from the many shuls who identify with the Young Israel movement, is something to be proud of. 

Yet, our love for the land and our caring for acheinu Bnai Yisrael, often puts us in a position to play armchair quarterback with our families, friends and community about how to address the crisis situation in Eretz Yisrael.  The saying, “two Jews, three opinions,” takes on even greater meaning when the topic is Israel.

It is difficult for people to address the matzav in Eretz Yisrael right after horrific terrorist activities have resulted in tragic consequences that change lives forever.  Several years ago, after one such incident when there was a bus bombing in a certain town, there was an outcry from a segment of the population that claimed the root cause of the bus bombing was due to the behavior of secular Jews. In so many words, they proposed that Jews who were not Torah observant caused this horrific occurrence, and if they would only change and return to the ways of HaShem, there wouldn’t be a need for HaShem to inflict such punishment on so many people.

Several years ago, when I was studying in Eretz Yisrael, the following question was posed to Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, shlita:  What does the Rosh Yeshiva think of the statements regarding the cause of this bus bombing [that it was due to the secular Jews who do not keep Shabbat]?

As we know, Bilaam was considered to be among the greatest prophets of his time.  In fact, at the beginning of Parshat Vayikra, there appears a small letter “aleph” which signifies that Moshe wanted to be equal to Bilaam [where it is written “Vayikar HaShem el Bilaam”]. We read in the parsha that when HaShem speaks to Bilaam, the small “aleph” indicates Moshe’s humility; implying that he would not want to be considered to be a greater person than Bilaam. This view was not acceptable to HaShem and so we are called to pronounce the word, “Vayikra” [and He called to Moshe]. 

Balak’s intent was for Bilaam to curse the Jewish people. When Bilaam asked HaShem’s permission to allow him to do so, he was, of course, rejected.  After pleading with HaShem to release him, HaShem ultimately told Bilaam that he would be able to go, but only if he did exactly what HaShem told him to do.

Suddenly, Bilaam decided to join up with Balak’s people and that stirred HaShem’s anger. We are now introduced to the famous story of Bilaam’s donkey who asked Bilaam why he [Bilaam] hit him.  As strange as it is that the donkey was able to speak, Bilaam still responded to the donkey by answering him.

Further along in the parsha, we see that Bilaam continued to frustrate Balak and his people with his inability to properly curse the Jewish people, as Balak had instructed. Yet, Bilaam tried to make himself appear to be more important in the eyes of his enablers [Balak’s people].  Bilaam referred to himself as “yodea daat elyon” [and he knows the thoughts of HaShem].

Rav Aharon gave his answer by quoting a midrash on this pasuk “Daat chamoro aino yodea, daat elyon yodea?” [He does not know what his donkey is thinking, but he does know what HaShem is thinking?!]

There is a tendency for people to not accept blame for their actions, but to rather “pass the buck” and lay the blame elsewhere.  When HaShem decides to punish His Jewish nation, it is not the “other person” who suffers the punishment, but rather all of us who need to take responsibility for what has occurred and vow to return to Him.

Now, getting back to the tragic bombing with the implications that it was due to the actions (or lack thereof) of secular Jews in our midst.  The truth is that all of us need to take responsibility for our actions and to individually and collectively return to HaShem from the depths of our hearts and souls, and hope and pray that there will be no more war or bloodshed for acheinu Bnai Yisrael.

Let us all take the first steps and apply the meanings in the words that my elementary school principal posted on the wall behind his office desk which, sadly, I too often saw: “Kishot atzmecha, viachar kach-kishot acheirim.”  Loosely translated: “first worry about yourself before you try to fix other people.”  And that means: we must take to heart what happens and work on ourselves before we can start working on others.

Shabbat Shalom.  

 

 

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