R. David Kasher on Parashat Balak: The View From Above

Ta Shma

Balak, King of Moab, has been made uneasy by Israel’s recent string of victories over enemy nations, and has begun to worry that he will be the next to fall before them. He decides to seek the advantage with a preemptive strike, hoping to weaken the Israelite forces before they have a chance to advance against him. His first plan of attack, however, is not military, but magical: he will hire Bilaam, a local prophet, to curse Israel, and thus doom them to defeat. Bilaam seems open to the task and, after several stops and starts—including an incident with a talking donkey—he heads out to perform the curse. But when he opens his mouth to unleash the curse, the spirit of God takes over and, instead of cursing Israel, he blesses them.