REFLECTIONS ON PARSHAT CHUKAT-BALAK 5786 – EMBRACING G-D’S VISION

בס”ד

Integrating Torah into one’s life through reflection and conversation can be an incredibly fun and engaging experience. It’s a journey of discovery, where ancient wisdom and timeless teachings come to life in our daily experiences. Through reflection, we have the opportunity to dive deep into the rich tapestry of Torah, extracting profound insights and lessons that resonate with our modern lives. The joy lies in the ‘aha’ moments, those instances when a Torah verse or story suddenly connects with our personal challenges, aspirations, and values. And when we engage in conversations about Torah with others, it becomes an interactive exploration, where diverse perspectives and interpretations enhance our understanding. These dialogues often spark excitement and intellectual curiosity, making the learning process both enjoyable and fulfilling. Torah becomes a vibrant and dynamic part of our lives, offering not just guidance but also a source of endless fascination, connection, and growth.

NOTE: Don’t feel obligated to go through every source or answer all the questions—unless you want to. Even one source, or one question will give you plenty of material for discussion and meditation. Enjoy this!

Some thoughts about Parshat Chukat-Balak

“I cannot go beyond the word of the L-rd my G-d, to do less or more.” (Numbers 22:18)

Parashat Balak presents one of the Torah’s greatest paradoxes. Balaam is not an Israelite, yet he speaks directly with the G-d of Israel. He refers to Him by His personal Name and repeatedly declares, “I cannot go beyond the word of the L-rd my G-d.” He receives authentic prophecy and proclaims some of the most beautiful blessings ever spoken about Israel, blessings which are recited by Jews in synagogue every morning. Yet despite this extraordinary relationship with G-d, the Torah portrays him as one of Israel’s greatest enemies.

How can someone know G-d so well and still stand in opposition to His purposes?

The contrast between Balak and Balaam offers an important clue. Balak, king of Moab, is terrified. Israel has defeated powerful neighboring kingdoms and is now encamped near his borders. Although G-d had instructed Israel not to wage war against Moab, Balak either did not know this or did not trust it. His fear led him to seek a supernatural means of protecting his kingdom. His actions were wrong, but they were at least understandable.

But Balaam is different. He has no kingdom to defend, no borders to protect, and no reason for a personal grievance against Israel. Nevertheless, he repeatedly seeks Israel’s destruction. G-d tells him not to go, yet he persists. G-d tells him to speak only what He commands, yet Balaam repeatedly searches for opportunities to curse Israel. When every attempt is transformed into blessing, he ultimately devises a different strategy, counselling Balak that Israel be led into idolatry and immorality so that they will bring G-d’s judgment upon themselves.

What makes Balaam especially dangerous is not that he rejects G-d. He does not. He knows G-d’s sovereignty. He knows G-d’s justice. He knows what G-d loves and what G-d hates. He even knows that Israel cannot be cursed because G-d has chosen to bless them. Yet instead of allowing this knowledge to reshape his own heart, Balaam seeks to use it in bad faith. If he cannot persuade G-d to curse Israel, perhaps he can entice Israel into actions that will place them under G-d’s Judgment. In other words, Balaam attempts to use G-d’s own moral order against G-d’s own people.

The tragedy of Balaam is therefore deeper than greed or ambition. He acknowledges G-d, but he refuses to embrace G-d’s vision for the world.

Throughout the parsha, G-d repeatedly reveals how He sees Israel. Balaam himself is compelled to proclaim their uniqueness: “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob,” “A people dwelling alone,” and “Blessed are those who bless you.” He becomes the unwilling witness to Israel’s covenantal role in history. Yet although his lips speak G-d’s truth, his heart resists it. He knows what G-d has chosen, but he does not rejoice in G-d’s choice.

This carries a profound lesson for Noahides.

To believe in the G-d of Israel is not only to acknowledge that He exists. It is also to accept the way He has chosen to accomplish His purposes in history. G-d entered into a unique covenant with Israel, giving them 613 commandments and the mission of becoming “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” At the same time, He entrusted the nations with the universal covenant of the Seven Noahide Laws, calling all humanity to justice, righteousness, and the knowledge of the One G-d.

These are not competing missions. They are complementary callings within a single Divine plan.

The righteous among the nations therefore do not stand in competition with Israel, nor do they seek to replace Israel or become Israel. Rather, they recognize Israel as their partners in bringing G-d’s vision to fruition. Just as the priests, Levites, and the rest of Israel each fulfilled different roles within one nation, so too Israel and the nations serve different but harmonious purposes within G-d’s design for humanity.

Balaam could not accept this. He knew G-d’s Name, but he resisted G-d’s plan. He saw Israel not as partners in the redemption of the world, but as an obstacle to his own desires. His knowledge of G-d became separated from love of what G-d loves.

Perhaps this is the deepest warning of Parashat Balak. Religious knowledge alone is not enough. One may know Scripture, understand theology, and even experience profound spiritual insight while still remaining out of alignment with G-d’s purposes. Genuine faith requires more than acknowledging G-d. It requires learning to see the world through His Eyes, to rejoice in what He has chosen, and to become willing participants in His plan for humanity.

Now, reflect on the following questions

Why is Balaam’s knowledge of G-d insufficient to make him a righteous man?
What is the difference between acknowledging G-d’s existence and embracing G-d’s purposes?
Why do you think Balaam continued to oppose Israel even after repeatedly hearing G-d’s blessing upon them?
How do Israel’s covenant and the Noahide covenant complement one another rather than compete?
In what areas of life might we acknowledge G-d’s authority while quietly resisting His will?
What does it mean to see Israel as partners in G-d’s plan rather than as competitors?
How can our study of Torah help us not only know more about G-d, but also learn to love what He loves?

Shabbat Shalom

By Rabbi Tani Burton

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