Machshava:

Chinuch 

Parsha:

Balak 

Collections: R' Goldin Parenting from the Parsha

Description

Parshat Balak is the only parsha in the Torah that takes place outside of the presence of Am Yisrael. From the moment that G-d speaks to Avraham in Parshat Lech Lecha until Moshe’s death at the end of Sefer Devarim, the entire Torah revolves around the Jewish nation, and is written from their perspective. We learn about the Avot and their families, the creation of the Jewish nation, and its journey through the desert to Eretz Yisrael. Each parsha takes place from the viewpoint of Bnei Yisrael, and discusses events that actively involve them. And yet Parshat Balak is different. Although Bnei Yisrael are indirectly involved in the story, as the target of Bilaam and Balak’s wrath, they are not active participants. These events take place totally outside of the nation’s purview. In fact, had the Torah not told us this story, Am Yisrael might never have known that the conversations between Bilaam and Balak took place at all! So why is this story included in the Torah? Why must we be told about a plan that was hatched by one of our enemies, especially if the plan was ultimately unsuccessful?