Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

In this week's Torah portion, Balak, the king of Moab, asks Balaam to curse the Israelites after he sees them defeat various nations in battle. Balaam's donkey sees an angel of God and refuses to move any further. Balaam hits the donkey. God speaks through the mouth of the donkey to tell him not to curse the Israelites. Instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam blesses them.

Click here for a summary of Balak
Click here for a summary of the Haftarah
for Balak

God speaks to Balaam
through his donkey.

Text Studies	Social Action and Environmentalism
The Word or the Sword? Hillel	The Gift of Speech Adina Gerver, AJWS
Not Seeing is the Sin Rabbi Neal Loevinger, KOLEL	No & Maybe Evan Wolkenstein, AJWS
No Rest(s) for the Wicked Rabbi Laurence Edwards, URJ	Distance & Proximity Julie Appel, AJWS
	The Nature of Balaam's Prophecy Ilana Stein, Canfei Nesharim
	Seeing Their Faces But Not Their Doors Alana Suskin, socialaction.com

From the Denominations	Pluralism and Outreach
Spirit Strength Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, JTS	Open Your Eyes Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Women of Reform Judaism
The Place From Which We Pray Rabbi Aaron Gruman, Orthodox Union	Balaam Versus Pinhas Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, Jewish Outreach Initiative
	Instructed to Curse, Inspired to Bless Dr. Reuven Kimmelman, CLAL

Family and Fun
Parashat Balak for Families Torah Topics for Today
Parashat Balak Quiz Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
Parashat Balak Challah Julie Seltzer