Maureena’s Torah Reflections
Parashat Balak. Numbers 22:2-25:9
Here is Balaam, a gentile prophet, whose words describe the kind of prophet we are called to become.
So, first a word, about being called to be a prophet. Joseph Soloveitchik, a former major American Orthodox rabbi, wrote in Halakhic Man, (the Jewish Publication Society of America, 1983, p. 128):
The most exalted recreation of all is the personality of the prophet. Each one is obligated to give new life to one’s own being by modeling one’s personality upon the image of the prophet; one must carry through one’s own self-creation until one actualizes the idea of prophecy—until one is worthy and fit to receive the divine overflow. The principle of prophecy, as an article of faith, like the fundamental of providence, has a twofold aspect: the belief in (1) prophecy as a reality—i.e., that God causes us to prophesy; (2) prophecy as a norm—i.e. that each person is obliged to aspire to this rank.
Second, meet Balaam, gentile, a model prophet, both condemned and praised by commentators:
Balak: Come now, curse this people for me, since they are stronger than I.
Balaam: Stay here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, just as the LORD speaks to me.
God: You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.
Balaam to Balak : Go to your own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.
Balak (undeterred): Do not let anything hinder you from coming to me; for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do; come, curse this people for me.
Balaam: Although Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God, to do less or more. You remain here, as the others did, so that I may learn what more the LORD may say to me.
Narrator: God came to Balaam at night and said, “If the men have come to summon you, get up and go with them; but do only what I tell you to do.” Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab.
(the story of the speaking donkey)
Narrator continues: The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but speak only what I tell you to speak.” So, Balaam went on with the officials of Balak. When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him.
Balak: Did I not send to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?
Balaam: I have come to you now, but do I have power to say just anything? The word God puts in my mouth, that is what I must say.”
Narrator: Then Balaam and Balak went to Bamoth-baal; and from there Balaam could see the people of Israel. Sacrifices were offered.
Balaam: Stay here beside your burnt offerings while I go aside. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you. And he went to a bare height.
God: Return to Balak and this is what you must say:
Narrator: Balaam returned to Balak and prophesized blessings upon Israel
Balak: What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but now you have done nothing but bless them.
Balaam: Must I not take care to say what the LORD puts into my mouth?
Narrator: Balak brought Balaam to another spot to the top of Pisgah and again offered sacrifices.
Balaam: Stand here beside your burnt offerings, while I meet the LORD over there.
God to Balaam: Return to Balak, and this is what you shall say.”
Narrator: Balaam uttered oracles of blessings upon Israel as commanded by God…
Balak: Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all.
Balaam: Did I not tell you, ‘Whatever the LORD says, that is what I must do’?
Narrator: Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor hoping he would curse the Israelites from there, and then unto the top of Pisgah. Sacrifices were offered. But instead of cursing the Israelites, the spirit of God came upon Balaam and he uttered blessings upon Israel. Balak became very angry.
Balak: I summoned you to curse my enemies, but instead you have blessed them these three times. Now be off with you! Go home! Without any reward.
Balaam: Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will; what the LORD says, that is what I will say’?
Prepared by Prof. Sr. Maureena Fritz nds
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“Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies.”
Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions: Nostra Aetate, No. 4