Parashat Balak

Pinchas saw the relationship of an Israelite and a Midianite as a curse--but perhaps he, like Balaam, could have turned it into a blessing.

The story of King Balak and Balaam demonstrates that truly seeing others is what allows fears to dispel.

He came to curse, and ended up reciting a blessing so beautiful it is prominent in our liturgy.

Balak intuited an important truth about the Israelites: Their strength was spiritual, not military.

Cursing and blessing the Israelites.

The Israelites' dwellings in the wilderness provide us with a model for ensuring the existence and dignity of housing for all members of society.

Like Balaam, we should open our eyes to seeing the problematic paths we take in life.

Unlike Abraham, Bil'am failed to examine his own prayers and intentions, attributing their failure to his location of prayer.

Balaam's death by sword at the hands of the Israelites is ironic retribution for his verbal power over them.

Unlike Jewish prophets, Balaam was merely a mouthpiece for the word of God, not an active participant.