Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parashat Balak WHEN THE ASS NOW SAW THE ANGEL OF THE LORD, SHE LAY DOWN UNDER BIL'AM; AND BIL'AM WAS FURIOUS AND BEAT THE ASS WITH HIS STICK. THEN THE LORD OPENED THE ASS'S MOUTH, AND SHE SAID TO BIL'AM, "WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU THAT YOU HAVE BEATEN ME THESE THREE TIMES?" BIL'AM SAID TO THE ASS, "YOU HAVE MADE A MOCKERY OF ME! HAD I A SWORD WITH ME, I'D KILL YOU." THE...

Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Parashat Balak BIL'AM ROSE UP IN THE MORNING, SADDLED HIS ASS AND DEPARTED WITH THE MOABITE DIGNITARIES… WHEN THE ASS CAUGHT SIGHT OF THE ANGEL OF THE LORD STANDING IN THE WAY, WITH HIS DRAWN SWORD IN HIS HAND, THE ASS SWERVED FROM THE ROAD AND WENT INTO THE FIELDS; AND BIL'AM BEAT THE ASS TO TURN HER BACK ONTO THE ROAD… THE ASS, SEEING THE ANGEL OF THE LORD, PRESSED HERSELF AGAINST THE WALL AND SQUEEZED BIL'AM'S FOOT AGAINST THE WALL, SO HE BEAT HER AGAIN…...

Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Shabbat Shalom Parshat Balak    “Now Bil’am saw . . . and he saw Israel dwelling by their tribes, and there came upon him the spirit of God.” Not as he saw them at first, with the intention of casting upon them ‘an evil eye’, but with love which he attained at that moment . . . and therefore is it written “there came upon him the spirit of God” – the Holy Spirit rested upon him out of love and affection.” (Haamek Davar, Bemidbar 24:1)  ...