Ilustration Credit: Elad Lifshitz, Dov Abramson Studio
In This Week’s Parashah: מָה בַּפָּרָשָׁה
Full Parashah Reading: Bemidbar 22:2-25:9
- Balak, the king of Moav, dislikes Benei Yisrael. He sends messengers to Bil’am, who is known for cursing people, asking him to curse Benei Yisrael.
- God says no to this, but Bil’am tries to get a different answer. Eventually God says yes–provided Bil’am only says whatever God tells him to say.
- Bil’am sets out to meet Balak. God sends a scary angel with a sword, which only Bil’am’s donkey can see.
- The donkey swerves off the road, then squishes into a wall, and finally stops and sits down. Bil’am hits the donkey each time. Then, God lets the animal speak! “What have I done to you that you have hit me three times?”
- God reveals the angel to Bil’am. The angel criticizes Bil’am for hitting his donkey, and emphasizes that Bil’am must only speak God’s words.
- Balak and Bil’am meet up. Balak is ready for Bil’am to curse Benei Yisrael. But whenever Bil’am opens his mouth to speak, blessings come out! After this happens three times, Balak sends Bil’am away.
- Some of Benei Yisrael start to worship Baal Peor, a false god. God sends a plague.
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