Mark Young writes about intuition and perspective; when we ignore our intuition our perspective is frequently inaccurate. Although Bilaam has no aversion to the Israelites, he ultimately agrees to fulfill Balak’s request, when his perspective is challenged by the reality of the Angel.
Dr. Enlow cites a popular slogan: “see something, say something”. This is similar but not the same as Bilaam’s narrative. The hardest part is noticing anything at all, rather than the speaking up. The greatest and most common challenge is in learning to see what is already present in front of you in the text.
Rabbi Sacks points out some interesting contradictions in the parashah. First, when Bilaam refuses to return with the officers to Balak, he implies that God may change His mind regarding the prohibition. Yet, God doesn’t change His mind. Yet, God seemed to contradict Himself, instructing Bilaam after all, but prohibits him from doing anything except as instructed by God. When Bilaam goes, God gets angry. These apparent contradictions don’t seem to make sense.
WALLIS ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
“Jerusalem Is Mine” – Cantor Orly Campbell
Evan Weiner raises interesting questions about the narrative: Why did God bring an “open miracle” to punish the rebels, as opposed to all of the many other options? Second: Why did God have to punish Korach? What was so wrong about his assertion? And finally, why did Korach need to rebel?
Rabbi Sacks writes about Moses’ reaction to the rebellion – this is the only time he invokes a miracle to validate his mission, and eliminate the opposition. This is a contrast to his generosity of spirit in earlier narratives. He finds the answer when God instructs him to ‘give Joshua some of his majesty so that the Israelites will obey him.’
Dr. Mantell comments that the parashah begins with raising the flame of the menorah, followed by deep dissatisfaction and anger by the people. He cites Sforno, who wrote that emotional reliance is not built through isolation, but through connection. The connection of the soul to the Divine is reflected in the candle light.
Dr. Helman writes that God literally forces the Israelites to “eat their words”; they complain bitterly about eating nothing but manna and wish to return to Egypt where the food was good and plentiful and God overwhelms them with quail. She notes that in reality, the past usually isn’t as good as we remember, our present isn’t as bad as we think, and we should be grateful for what we have.
Rabbi Sacks comments on Moses’ dire reaction to the appalling ingratitude of the Israelites, which has happened multiple times in the past. He expresses his despair to God, Who instructs him to establish an administration of elders to assist him. Interestingly, this is exactly what Yitro recommended before. And amazingly, Moses is calmer.