Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn of the incredible nissim Hashem performed for Klal Yisrael as they neared the Promised Land. After peacefully requesting passage through the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and promising to stick strictly to the highway, the Bnei Yisrael are met with outright war. With the help of Hashem, Klal Yisrael defeats Sihon, conquers his lands, and goes on to vanquish the mighty giant Og, king of Bashan, taking possession of his entire territory before encamping in the plains of Moab.

Seeing these miraculous victories, Balak, the king of Moab, is filled with dread and a deep fear of the Jewish people. Realizing he cannot defeat them through natural warfare, he partners with the elders of Midian and sends messengers to the notorious rasha Balaam, hoping to use the power of curses to destroy Klal Yisrael. However, Hashem intervenes immediately, warning Balaam in a dream not to go with them.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיִּשְׁלַחAnd sentיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelמַלְאָכִיםmessengersאֶלtoסִיחֹןSichonמֶלֶךְking ofהָאֱמֹרִיthe Emoriלֵאמֹר׃saying

רַשִׁ״י

וישלחAnd sentישראלYisraelמלאכים.messengersוּבְמָקוֹםand in a placeאַחֵרanotherתּוֹלֶהit attributesהַשְּׁלִיחוּתthe missionבְּמֹשֶׁה,to Mosheשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וָאֶשְׁלַח"And I sentמַלְאָכִיםmessengersמִמִּדְבַּרfrom the wilderness ofקְדֵמוֹת"Kedemoth"דבריםDevarimב'chapter 2,וְכֵןand so too"וַיִּשְׁלַח"And sentמֹשֶׁהMosheמַלְאָכִיםmessengersמִקָּדֵשׁfrom Kadeshאֶלtoמֶלֶךְthe king ofאֱדוֹם"Edom"במדברBamidbarכ'chapter 20,וּבְיִפְתָּחand regarding YiftachהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysשופטיםShoftimי"אchapter 11"וַיִּשְׁלַח"And sentיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelמַלְאָכִיםmessengersאֶלtoמֶלֶךְthe king ofאֱדוֹם"Edom"וְגוֹ',etceteraהַכְּתוּבִיםthe versesהַלָּלוּtheseצְרִיכִיןneedזֶהthis oneלָזֶה,that oneזֶהthis oneנוֹעֵלlocksוְזֶהand that oneפוֹתֵחַ,opensשֶׁמֹּשֶׁהthat MosheהוּאisיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְיִשְׂרָאֵלand Yisraelהֵםareמֹשֶׁה,Mosheלוֹמַרto sayלְךָto youשֶׁנְּשִׂיאthat the prince ofהַדּוֹרthe generationהוּאisכְּכָלlike all ofהַדּוֹר,the generationכִּיbecauseהַנָּשִׂיאthe princeהוּאisהַכֹּלthe wholeתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

אֶעְבְּרָהLet me passבְאַרְצֶךָthrough your landלֹאwe will notנִטֶּהturn asideבְּשָׂדֶהinto fieldוּבְכֶרֶםor into vineyardלֹאwe will notנִשְׁתֶּהdrinkמֵיwater ofבְאֵרa wellבְּדֶרֶךְby the road ofהַמֶּלֶךְthe kingנֵלֵךְwe will goעַדuntilאֲשֶׁרthatנַעֲבֹרwe have passedגְּבֻלֶךָ׃your border

רַשִׁ״י

אעברהLet me passבארצך.through your landאַעַ"פִּEven thoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִצְטַוּוּthey were commandedלִפְתֹּחַto openלָהֶםto themבְּשָׁלוֹםwith peaceבִּקְּשׁוּthey soughtמֵהֶםfrom themשָׁלוֹםpeaceשםthere:

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Pasuk 3

וְלֹאand notנָתַןdid allowסִיחֹןSichonאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelעֲבֹרto passבִּגְבֻלוֹthrough his borderוַיֶּאֱסֹףand gatheredסִיחֹןSichonאֶת—כָּלall ofעַמּוֹhis peopleוַיֵּצֵאand he went outלִקְרַאתtowardsיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelהַמִּדְבָּרָהto the wildernessוַיָּבֹאand he cameיָהְצָהto Yahatzוַיִּלָּחֶםand he foughtבְּיִשְׂרָאֵל׃against Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd notנתןdid sufferסיחןSichonוגו'.etc.לְפִיBecauseשֶׁכָּלthat allמַלְכֵיkings ofכְנַעַןKenaanהָיוּwereמַעֲלִיןpayingלוֹto himמַס,tributeשֶׁהָיָהbecause he wasשׁוֹמְרָםprotecting themשֶׁלֹּאso that notיַעַבְרוּshould passעֲלֵיהֶםagainst themגְּיָסוֹת,hostile forcesכֵּיוָןAs soon asשֶׁאָמְרוּthat saidלוֹto himיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֶעְבְּרָהLet me passבְאַרְצֶךָ,through your landאָ"לָ,he said to themכָּלthe wholeעַצְמִיpurpose of myselfאֵינִיI am notיוֹשֵׁבdwellingכָּאןhereאֶלָּאexceptלְשָׁמְרָםto protect themמִפְּנֵיכֶם,from before youוְאַתֶּםand youאוֹמְרִיםsayכָּךְthusתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

ויצאAnd he went outלקראתagainstישראל.Yisraelאִלּוּifהָיְתָהhad beenחֶשְׁבּוֹןCheshbonמְלֵאָהfull ofיַתּוּשִׁיןgnatsאֵיןthere is noכָּלanyבְּרִיָּהcreatureיְכוֹלָהableלְכָבְשָׁהּ,to conquer herוְאִםand ifהָיָהhad beenסִיחוֹןSichonבִּכְפָרin a villageחַלָּשׁweakאֵיןthere is noכָּלanyאָדָםmanיָכוֹלableלְכָבְשׁוֹ,to conquer himוְכָלand allשֶׁכֵּןthe more soשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasבְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן;in Cheshbonאָמַרsaidהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneמָהwhyאֲנִיshould Iמַטְרִיחַtroubleעַל·בָּנַיmy childrenכָּלallזֹאתthisלָצוּרto besiegeעַל·כָּלeveryעִירcityוָעִיר?and cityנָתַןHe putבְּלֵבin the heart ofכָּלallאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofהַמִּלְחָמָהthe warלָצֵאתto go outמִןfromהָעֲיָרוֹת,the citiesוְנִתְקַבְּצוּand they assembledכֻלָּםall of themלְמָקוֹםto a placeאֶחָדoneוְשָׁםand thereנָפְלוּ,they fellוּמִשָּׁםand from thereהָלְכוּwentיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֶלtoהֶעָרִיםthe citiesוְאֵיןand there was noneעוֹמֵדstandingלְנֶגְדָּם,against themכִּיforאֵיןthere were noneשָׁםthereאֶלָּאbutנָשִׁיםwomenוָטָףand childrenשםthere:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיַּכֵּהוּAnd smote himיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְפִיby the edge ofחָרֶבthe swordוַיִּירַשׁand possessedאֶת—אַרְצוֹhis landמֵאַרְנֹןfrom ArnonעַדuntilיַבֹּקYabbokעַדuntilבְּנֵיthe children ofעַמּוֹןAmmonכִּיforעַזstrong wasגְּבוּלthe boundary ofבְּנֵיthe children ofעַמּוֹן׃Ammon

רַשִׁ״י

כיforעז.strongוּמַהוּand what isחָזְקוֹ?its strengthהַתְרָאָתוֹthe warning ofשֶׁל·הַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be HeשֶׁאָמַרWho saidלָהֶםto themאַלdo notתְּצֻרֵםdistress themוְגוֹ'etc.דבריםDevarimב'2:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֵת—כָּלallהֶעָרִיםthe citiesהָאֵלֶּהtheseוַיֵּשֶׁבand settledיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבְּכָלin allעָרֵיthe cities ofהָאֱמֹרִיthe Emoriבְּחֶשְׁבּוֹןin Cheshbonוּבְכָלand in allבְּנֹתֶיהָ׃its suburbs

רַשִׁ״י

בנתיה.its daughtersכְּפָרִיםvillagesהַסְּמוּכִיםthat are adjacentלָהּ:to it

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

כִּיForחֶשְׁבּוֹןCheshbonעִירthe city ofסִיחֹןSichonמֶלֶךְking ofהָאֱמֹרִיthe Emoriהִואit wasוְהוּאand heנִלְחַםhad foughtבְּמֶלֶךְagainst the king ofמוֹאָבMoavהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstוַיִּקַּחand he tookאֶת—כָּלall ofאַרְצוֹhis landמִיָּדוֹfrom his handעַדuntilאַרְנֹן׃Arnon

רַשִׁ״י

והואAnd heנלחם.had foughtלָמָּהwhyהֻצְרַךְwas it necessaryלִכָּתֵב?to be writtenלְפִיbecauseשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidשםthere"אַלdo notתָּצַרharassאֶת—מוֹאָב",Moabוְחֶשְׁבּוֹןand Heshbonמִשֶּׁלfrom that ofמוֹאָבMoabהָיְתָה,it wasכָּתַבit wroteלָנוּfor usשֶׁסִּיחוֹןthat Sihonלְקָחָהּtook itמֵהֶםfrom themוְעַלand throughיָדוֹhis handטָהֲרָהit became permittedלְיִשְֹרָאֵלto IsraelחוליןChullinס';60גיטיןGittinל"ח38:

רַשִׁ״י

מידו.From his handמֵרְשׁוּתוֹfrom his possessionבבאBavaמציעאMetziaנ"ו56:

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Pasuk 7

עַלThereforeכֵּן·יֹאמְרוּsayהַמֹּשְׁלִיםthe bardsבֹּאוּCome toחֶשְׁבּוֹןCheshbonתִּבָּנֶהit shall be builtוְתִכּוֹנֵןand establishedעִירthe city ofסִיחוֹן׃Sichon

רַשִׁ״י

עלThereforeכן.·עַלaboutאוֹתָהּthatמִלְחָמָהwarשֶׁנִּלְחַםwhich foughtסִיחוֹןSichonבְּמוֹאָב:against Moav

רַשִׁ״י

יאמרוThey sayהמשלים.who speak parablesבִּלְעָם,Bilaamשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבּוֹregarding him"וַיִּשָּׂא"And he took upמְשָׁלוֹ"his parable"במדברBamidbarכ"ג23:

רַשִׁ״י

המשלים.They who speak in parablesבִּלְעָםBilaamוּבְעוֹר,and Beorוְהֵםand theyאָמְרוּ:said

רַשִׁ״י

באוCome toחשבון.Cheshbonשֶׁלֹּאfor notהָיָהwasסִיחוֹןSichonיָכוֹלableלְכָבְשָׁהּto conquer herוְהָלַךְand he wentוְשָׂכַרand he hiredאֶת—בִּלְעָםBilaamלְקַלְּלוֹto curse himתנחומאTanchuma;וְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁאָמַרthat which saidלוֹto himבָּלָקBalak"כִּי"ForיָדַעְתִּיI knowאֵת—אֲשֶׁרwhomתְּבָרֵךְyou blessמְבֹרָךְ"is blessed"וְגוֹ'etc.במדברBamidbarכ"ב22:

רַשִׁ״י

תבנהIt will be builtותכונן.and establishedחֶשְׁבּוֹןCheshbonבְּשֵׁםunder the name ofסִיחוֹןSichonלִהְיוֹתto beעִירוֹ:his city

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

כִּיForאֵשׁfireיָצְאָהwent forthמֵחֶשְׁבּוֹןfrom Cheshbonלֶהָבָהa flameמִקִּרְיַתfrom the city ofסִיחֹןSichonאָכְלָהit consumedעָרAr ofמוֹאָבMoavבַּעֲלֵיthe masters ofבָּמוֹתthe high places ofאַרְנֹן׃Arnon

רַשִׁ״י

כיForאשa fireיצאהwent forthמחשבון.from Cheshbonמִשֶּׁכְּבָשָׁהּafter he conquered itסִיחוֹן:Sichon

רַשִׁ״י

אכלהIt consumedערAr ofמואב.MoavשֵׁםThe name ofאוֹתָהּthatהַמְּדִינָהprovinceקָרוּיwas calledעָרArבְּלָשׁוֹןin the languageעִבְרִיHebrewוּלְחָיַתand Lechayathבְּלָשׁוֹןin the languageאֲרַמִּי:Aramaic

רַשִׁ״י

ערAr ofמואב.MoabעָרArשֶׁלofמוֹאָב:Moab

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

אוֹיWoeלְךָto youמוֹאָבMoavאָבַדְתָּyou are lostעַםO people ofכְּמוֹשׁKemoshנָתַןhe has deliveredבָּנָיוhis sonsפְּלֵיטִםas fugitivesוּבְנֹתָיוand his daughtersבַּשְּׁבִיתinto captivityלְמֶלֶךְto the king ofאֱמֹרִיthe Emoriסִיחוֹן׃Sichon

רַשִׁ״י

אויWoeלךto youמואב.Moabשֶׁקִּלְּלוּfor they cursedאֶת—מוֹאָבMoabשֶׁיִּמָּסְרוּthat they be deliveredבְיָדוֹinto his handתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

כמוש.Chemoshשֵׁםthe name ofאֱלֹהֵיthe god ofמוֹאָב:Moav

רַשִׁ״י

נתן.He gaveהַנּוֹתֵןthe One Who givesאֶת—בָּנָיוhis sonsשֶׁלofמוֹאָב:Moav

רַשִׁ״י

פליטםtheir fugitives—נָסִיםfleeingוּפְלֵטִיםand escapingמֵחֶרֶבfrom the swordוְאֶתand —בְּנוֹתָיוhis daughtersבַּשְּׁבִיתinto captivityוְגוֹ':etcetera

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַנִּירָםand we cast them downאָבַדperishedחֶשְׁבּוֹןCheshbonעַדuntilדִּיבוֹןDivonוַנַּשִּׁיםand we laid wasteעַדuntilנֹפַחNofachאֲשֶׁרwhichעַדis untilמֵידְבָא׃Meidva

רַשִׁ״י

ונירםAnd their sovereigntyאבד.is lostמַלְכוּתthe kingdomשֶׁלָּהֶם:of theirs

רַשִׁ״י

אבדIs destroyedחשבוןCheshbonעדuntilדיבןDivon—מַלְכוּתsovereigntyוְעֹלand yokeשֶׁהָיָהthat wasלְמוֹאָבto Moavבְּחֶשְׁבּוֹןin Cheshbonאָבַדis destroyedמִשָּׁם,from thereוְכֵןand soעַדuntilדִּיבֹן;Divonתַּרְגּוּםthe translationשֶׁלofסָרdeparted"עַד",is adכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayסָרdepartedנִירdominionמִדִּיבֹן;from DivonנִירNirלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofמַלְכוּתsovereigntyוְעֹלand yokeמֶמְשֶׁלֶתof the rule ofאִישׁ,a manכְּמוֹlike"לְמַעַןso thatהֱיוֹתthere beingנִירdominionלְדָוִדfor Dovidעַבְדִּי"My servantמ"אMelachim Iי"אchapter 11:

רַשִׁ״י

ונשים.And we laid wasteשִׁי"ןthe letter Shinדְּגוּשָׁה,has a Dageshלְשׁוֹןan expression ofשְׁמָמָה,desolationכָּךְsoיֹאמְרוּsayהַמֹּשְׁלִים,those who speak parables"וַנַּשִּׁיםand we laid wasteאוֹתָםthemעַדuntilנֹפַח"Nophah—הֲשִׁמּוֹנוּםwe desolated themעַדuntilנֹפַח:Nophah

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיֵּשֶׁבAnd settledיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofהָאֱמֹרִי׃the Emori

פָּסוּק יב

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וַיִּשְׁלַחAnd sentמֹשֶׁהMosheלְרַגֵּלto spy outאֶת—יַעְזֵרYazerוַיִּלְכְּדוּand they capturedבְּנֹתֶיהָits suburbsויירשand he drove outוַיּוֹרֶשׁand he dispossessedאֶת—הָאֱמֹרִיthe Amoriteאֲשֶׁרwhoשָׁם׃was there

רַשִׁ״י

וישלחAnd he sentמשהMosheלרגלto spy outאת—יעזר.Yazerהַמְרַגְּלִיםthe spiesלְכָדוּהָ,captured itאָמְרוּthey saidלֹאnotנַעֲשֶׂהwill we doכָּרִאשׁוֹנִים,like the first onesבְּטוּחִיםconfidentאָנוּare weבְּכֹחַin the power ofתְּפִלָּתוֹhis prayerשֶׁלofמֹשֶׁהMosheלְהִלָּחֵםto fightתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיִּפְנוּAnd they turnedוַיַּעֲלוּand they went upדֶּרֶךְthe way ofהַבָּשָׁןthe Bashanוַיֵּצֵאand went outעוֹגOgמֶלֶךְking ofהַבָּשָׁןthe Bashanלִקְרָאתָםto meet themהוּאheוְכָלand allעַמּוֹhis peopleלַמִּלְחָמָהto the battleאֶדְרֶעִי׃at Edrei

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheאַלdo notתִּירָאfearאֹתוֹhimכִּיforבְיָדְךָinto your handנָתַתִּיI have givenאֹתוֹhimוְאֶתand —כָּלall ofעַמּוֹhis peopleוְאֶתand —אַרְצוֹhis landוְעָשִׂיתָand you shall doלּוֹto himכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asעָשִׂיתָyou didלְסִיחֹןto Sichonמֶלֶךְking ofהָאֱמֹרִיthe Emoriאֲשֶׁרwhoיוֹשֵׁבdweltבְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן׃in Cheshbon

רַשִׁ״י

אלDo notתיראfearאתו.himשֶׁהָיָהfor wasמֹשֶׁהMosheיָרֵאafraidלְהִלָּחֵם,to wage battleשֶׁמָּאlestתַּעֲמֹדwill standלוֹfor himזְכוּתוֹthe meritשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וַיָּבֹא"And cameהַפָּלִיט"the fugitive"בראשיתBereishisי"ד14—הוּאheעוֹגOgשֶׁפָּלַטwho escapedמִןfromהָרְפָאִיםthe Rephaimשֶׁהִכּוּwhom smoteכְּדָרְלָעֹמֶרKhedorlaomerוַחֲבֵרָיוand his alliesבְּעַשְׁתְּרוֹתin Ashterothקַרְנַיִם,Karnaimשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimג'3"רַק"For onlyעוֹגOgמֶלֶךְking ofהַבָּשָׁןthe Bashanנִשְׁאַרwas leftמִיֶּתֶרfrom the remnant ofהָרְפָאִים"the Rephaim"נדהNiddahס"א61a:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיַּכּוּAnd they smoteאֹתוֹhimוְאֶתand —בָּנָיוhis sonsוְאֶתand —כָּלallעַמּוֹhis peopleעַדuntilבִּלְתִּיthere was notהִשְׁאִירleftלוֹto himשָׂרִידa survivorוַיִּירְשׁוּand they possessedאֶת—אַרְצוֹ׃his land

רַשִׁ״י

ויכוAnd they smoteאתו.himמֹשֶׁהMosheהֲרָגוֹ,slew himכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבִבְרָכוֹתin Berakhotבְּהָרוֹאֶהin HaRoehברכותBerakhotדףpageנ"ד54,עֲקַרhe uprootedטוּרָאa mountainבַּרofתְּלָתָאthreeפַרְסֵיparsangsוְכוּ':etcetera

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיִּסְעוּAnd they journeyedבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוַיַּחֲנוּand they encampedבְּעַרְבוֹתin the plains ofמוֹאָבMoavמֵעֵבֶרfrom acrossלְיַרְדֵּןthe Yarden ofיְרֵחוֹ׃Yerecho

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיַּרְאAnd he sawבָּלָקBalakבֶּןson ofצִפּוֹרZipporאֵת—כָּלallאֲשֶׁרthatעָשָׂהhad doneיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלָאֱמֹרִי׃to the Amorite

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd Balak sawבלקBalakבןson ofצפורTzipporאת—כלallאשרthatעשהhad doneישראלYisraelלאמרי.to the Emoriאָמַר,He saidאֵלּוּtheseשְׁנֵיtwoמְלָכִיםkingsשֶׁהָיִינוּwhom we wereבְטוּחִיםrelyingעֲלֵיהֶםupon themלֹאdid notעָמְדוּstandבִּפְנֵיהֶם,before themאָנוּweעַלbyאַחַתoneכַּמָּהhow muchוְכַמָּה,and how muchלְפִיכָךְtherefore"וַיָּגָרand was afraidמוֹאָב"MoavתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיָּגָרAnd was afraidמוֹאָבMoavמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהָעָםthe peopleמְאֹדvery muchכִּיforרַבnumerousהוּאit wasוַיָּקָץand was disgustedמוֹאָבMoavמִפְּנֵיbecause ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

ויגר.And he fearedלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofמוֹרָא,fearכְּמוֹlike"גּוּרוּ"fearלָכֶם"for yourselves"איובIyovי"ט19:

רַשִׁ״י

ויקץAnd was disgustedמואב.Moavקָצוּthey loathedבְחַיֵּיהֶם:their lives

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidמוֹאָבMoavאֶלtoזִקְנֵיthe elders ofמִדְיָןMidianעַתָּהnowיְלַחֲכוּwill lick upהַקָּהָלthe congregationאֶת—כָּלall ofסְבִיבֹתֵינוּour surroundingsכִּלְחֹךְas the licking ofהַשּׁוֹרthe oxאֵת—יֶרֶקthe greenness ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldוּבָלָקand Balakבֶּןson ofצִפּוֹרTzipporמֶלֶךְwas kingלְמוֹאָבof Moavבָּעֵתat the timeהַהִוא׃that

רַשִׁ״י

אלToזקניthe elders ofמדין.Midianוַהֲלֹאbut did notמֵעוֹלָםalwaysהָיוּthey wereשׂוֹנְאִיםhatingזֶהthis oneאֶת—זֶה,this oneשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"הַמַּכֶּהwho smoteאֶת—מִדְיָןMidianבִּשְׂדֵהin the field ofמוֹאָב"MoabבראשיתBereishisל"ו36,שֶׁבָּאוּfor they cameמִדְיָןMidianעַלagainstמוֹאָבMoabלַמִּלְחָמָה?for warאֶלָּאbutמִיִּרְאָתָןout of their fearשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelעָשׂוּthey madeשָׁלוֹםpeaceבֵּינֵיהֶם;between themselvesוּמָהAnd whatרָאָהsawמוֹאָבMoabלִטֹּלto takeעֵצָהcounselמִמִּדְיָן?from MidianכֵּיוָןSinceשֶׁרָאוּthat they sawאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelנוֹצְחִיםvictoriousשֶׁלֹּאnotכְמִנְהַגaccording to the custom ofהָעוֹלָם,the worldאָמְרוּthey saidמַנְהִיגָםtheir leaderשֶׁלofאֵלּוּtheseבְּמִדְיָןin Midianנִתְגַּדֵּל,grew upנִשְׁאַלlet us askמֵהֶםof themמַהwhatמִּדָּתוֹ,is his characteristicאָמְרוּthey saidלָהֶםto themאֵיןthere is notכֹּחוֹhis powerאֶלָּאexceptבְּפִיו,in his mouthאָמְרוּ,they saidאַףEvenאָנוּweנָבֹאwill comeעֲלֵיהֶםagainst themבְּאָדָםwith a manשֶׁכֹּחוֹwhose power isבְּפִיוin his mouthתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

כלחךas the licking ofהשור.the oxכָּלallמַהthatשֶּׁהַשּׁוֹרwhich the oxמְלַחֵךְlicksאֵיןthere is noבּוֹin itבְרָכָהblessingשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

בעתAt the timeההוא.thatלֹאnotהָיָהhe wasרָאוּיfittingלְמַלְכוּת,for kingshipמִנְּסִיכֵיfrom the princes ofמִדְיָןMidianהָיָה,he wasוְכֵיוָןand onceשֶׁמֵּתthat diedסִיחוֹןSichonמִנּוּהוּthey appointed himעֲלֵיהֶםover themלְצֹרֶךְfor the need ofשָׁעָהthe hourשםthere:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיִּשְׁלַחAnd he sentמַלְאָכִיםmessengersאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamבֶּןson ofבְּעוֹרBeorפְּתוֹרָהto Pethorאֲשֶׁרwhichעַלis byהַנָּהָרthe riverאֶרֶץthe land ofבְּנֵיthe children ofעַמּוֹhis peopleלִקְרֹאto callלוֹhimלֵאמֹרsayingהִנֵּהbeholdעַםa peopleיָצָאhas come outמִמִּצְרַיִםfrom Mitzrayimהִנֵּהbeholdכִסָּהit has coveredאֶת—עֵיןthe face ofהָאָרֶץthe earthוְהוּאand itיֹשֵׁבdwellsמִמֻּלִי׃opposite me

רַשִׁ״י

פתורה.Pethorכְּשֻׁלְחָנִיlike a money-changerזֶהthisשֶׁהַכֹּלthat everyoneמְרִיצִיןrunלוֹto himמָעוֹת,coinsכָּךְsoכָּלallהַמְּלָכִיםthe kingsמְרִיצִיןsendלוֹto himאִגְּרוֹתֵיהֶם,their lettersוּלְפִיand according toפְשׁוּטוֹthe plain meaningשֶׁלofמִקְרָאthe verseכָּךְsoשֵׁםis the name ofהַמָּקוֹםthe placeשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ארץThe land ofבניthe children ofעמו.his peopleשֶׁלofבָּלָק,Balakמִשָּׁםfrom thereהָיָה,he wasוְזֶהand this oneהָיָהwasמִתְנַבֵּאprophesyingוְאוֹמֵרand sayingלוֹ,to himעָתִידdestinedאַתָּהare youלִמְלֹךְ;to ruleוְאִםAnd ifתֹּאמַרyou will sayמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמָהwhatהִשְׁרָהrestedהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy OneשְׁכִינָתוֹHis Shechinaעַלuponגּוֹיa non-Jewרָשָׁע?wickedכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִהְיֶהthere will beפִתְחוֹןan opening ofפֶּהmouthלָאֻמּוֹתto the nationsלוֹמַר,to sayאִלּוifהָיוּthere wereלָנוּto usנְבִיאִים,prophetsחָזַרְנוּwe would returnלְמוּטָב,to the betterהֶעֱמִידHe establishedלָהֶםfor themנְבִיאִיםprophetsוְהֵםand theyפָּרְצוּbreachedגֶדֶרthe fence ofהָעוֹלָם,the worldשֶׁבַּתְּחִלָּהfor initiallyהָיוּthey wereגְדוּרִיםfenced inבַּעֲרָיוֹת,from immoralityוְזֶהand this oneנָתַןgaveלָהֶםto themעֵצָהcounselלְהַפְקִירto make freeעַצְמָןthemselvesלִזְנוּת:to prostitution

רַשִׁ״י

לקראTo callלו.himהַקְּרִיאָהthe callingהָיְתָהwasשֶׁלּוֹhisוְלַהֲנָאָתוֹ,and for his benefitשֶׁהָיָהfor he wasפוֹסֵקfixingלוֹfor himמָמוֹןmoneyהַרְבֵּה:much

רַשִׁ״י

עםA peopleיצאhas come outממצרים.from Mitzrayimוְאִםand ifתֹּאמַרyou will sayמַהwhatמַּזִּיקְךָ?does it harm you

רַשִׁ״י

הנהBeholdכסהit coveredאת—עיןthe eye ofהארץ.the landסִיחוֹןSichonוְעוֹגand Ogשֶׁהָיוּwho wereשׁוֹמְרִיםprotectingאוֹתָנוּusעָמְדוּthey stoodעֲלֵיהֶםagainst themוַהֲרָגוּם:and they slew them

רַשִׁ״י

והואand heישבdwellsממלי.opposite meחָסֵרdeficientlyכְּתִיב,it is writtenקְרוֹבִיםnearהֵםthey areלְהַכְרִיתֵנִיto cut me offכְּמוֹlikeתהיליםTehillimקי"ח118כִּיthatאֲמִילַםI will cut them offתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וְעַתָּהand nowלְכָהgoנָּאpleaseאָרָהcurseלִּיfor meאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּהthisכִּיforעָצוּםmightyהוּאit isמִמֶּנִּיmore than meאוּלַיperhapsאוּכַלI will be ableנַכֶּהwe will strikeבּוֹat themוַאֲגָרְשֶׁנּוּand I will drive them outמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe landכִּיforיָדַעְתִּיI knowאֵת—אֲשֶׁרwhomeverתְּבָרֵךְyou blessמְבֹרָךְis blessedוַאֲשֶׁרand whomeverתָּאֹרyou curseיוּאָר׃is cursed

רַשִׁ״י

נכהwe may smiteבו.themאֲנִיIוְעַמִּיand my peopleנַכֶּהmay smiteבָהֶם.themדָּ"אַanother explanation—לְשׁוֹןan expression ofמִשְׁנָהMishnahהוּאit isב"מBava Metziaק"ה105b,מְנַכֶּהhe deductsלוֹfor himמִןfromהַדָּמִיםthe price—לְחַסֵּרto reduceמֵהֶםfrom themמְעַטa littleתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

כיForידעתיI knowוגו'.etc.עַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofמִלְחֶמֶתthe war ofסִיחוֹןSichonשֶׁעֲזַרְתּוֹthat you helped himלְהַכּוֹתto smiteאֶת—מוֹאָב:Moav

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וַיֵּלְכוּAnd they wentזִקְנֵיthe elders ofמוֹאָבMoavוְזִקְנֵיand the elders ofמִדְיָןMidianוּקְסָמִיםwith charmsבְּיָדָםin their handוַיָּבֹאוּand they cameאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilamוַיְדַבְּרוּand they spokeאֵלָיוto himדִּבְרֵיthe words ofבָלָק׃Balak

רַשִׁ״י

וקסמיםand divinationsבידם.in their handכָּלallמִינֵיkinds ofקְסָמִים,divinationsשֶׁלֹּאso that notיֹאמַרhe should sayאֵיןthere are noכְּלֵיtools ofתַשְׁמִישִׁיmy usageעִמִּי;with meדָּ"אַanother explanation—קֶסֶםomenזֶהthisנָטְלוּthey tookבְיָדָםin their handזִקְנֵיthe elders ofמִדְיָן,Midyanאָמְרוּthey saidאִםifיָבֹאhe will comeעִמָּנוּwith usבַּפַּעַםat timeהַזֹּאתthisיֵשׁthere isבּוֹin himמַמָּשׁ,substanceוְאִםand ifיִדְחֵנוּhe puts us offאֵיןthere is noבּוֹin himתוֹעֶלֶת,usefulnessלְפִיכָךְthereforeכְּשֶׁאָמַרwhen he saidלָהֶםto them"לִינוּstay overnightפֹהhereהַלַּיְלָה"tonightאָמְרוּthey saidאֵיןthere is noבּוֹin himתִקְוָה,hopeהִנִּיחוּהוּthey left himוְהָלְכוּand they wentלָהֶם,for themselvesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וַיֵּשְׁבוּand stayedשָׂרֵיthe princes ofמוֹאָבMoavעִםwithבִּלְעָם",Bilaamאֲבָלbutזִקְנֵיthe elders ofמִדְיָןMidyanהָלְכוּwentלָהֶםfor themselvesשםthere:

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאֲלֵיהֶםto themלִינוּlodgeפֹהhereהַלַּיְלָהtonightוַהֲשִׁבֹתִיand I will returnאֶתְכֶםto youדָּבָרwordכַּאֲשֶׁרasיְדַבֵּרwill speakיְהוָהHashemאֵלָיto meוַיֵּשְׁבוּand they stayedשָׂרֵיthe princes ofמוֹאָבMoavעִםwithבִּלְעָם׃Bilam

רַשִׁ״י

לינוLodgeפהhereהלילה.this nightאֵיןnotרוּחַthe spirit ofהַקֹּדֶשׁholinessשׁוֹרָהrestsעָלָיוupon himאֶלָּאexceptבַּלַּיְלָה,at nightוְכֵןand soלְכָלto allנְבִיאֵיprophets ofאֻמּוֹתthe nations ofהָעוֹלָם,the worldוְכֵןand soלָבָןLavanבַּחֲלוֹםin a dream ofהַלַּיְלָה,the nightשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבראשיתBereishisל"א31"וַיָּבֹאand cameאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoלָבָןLavanהָאֲרַמִּיthe Arameanבַּחֲלוֹםin a dream ofהַלַּיְלָה"the nightכְּאָדָםlike a manהַהוֹלֵךְwho goesאֵצֶלtoפִּילַגְשׁוֹhis concubineבְּהֵחָבֵאin secrecyתנחומא;TanchumaויקראVayikraרבהRabbahא'1:

רַשִׁ״י

כאשרasידברshall speakה'Hashemאלי.to meאִםifיַמְלִיכֵנִיHe advises meלָלֶכֶתto goעִםwithבְּנֵיsons ofאָדָםmanכְּמוֹתְכֶם,like youאֵלֵךְI will goעִמָּכֶם,with youשֶׁמָּאperhapsאֵיןit is notכְּבוֹדוֹHis dignityלְתִתִּיto permit meלַהֲלֹךְto goאֶלָּאexceptעִםwithשָׂרִיםprincesגְּדוֹלִיםgreaterמִכֶּם:than you

רַשִׁ״י

וישבו.And they stayedלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofעַכָּבָה:delaying

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וַיָּבֹאAnd cameאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidמִיWhoהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menהָאֵלֶּהtheseעִמָּךְ׃with you

רַשִׁ״י

מיWhoהאנשיםare the menהאלהtheseעמך.with youלְהַטְעוֹתוֹto mislead himבָא,He cameאָמַרhe saidפְּעָמִיםthere are timesשֶׁאֵיןthat notהַכֹּלeverythingגָּלוּיis revealedלְפָנָיו,before HimאֵיןnotדַּעְתּוֹHis knowledgeשָׁוָהis equalעָלָיו,upon HimאַףevenאֲנִיIאֶרְאֶהwill seekעֵתa timeשֶׁאוּכַלthat I canלְקַלֵּלto curseוְלֹאand notיָבִיןHe will understandתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidבִּלְעָםBilamאֶלtoהָאֱלֹהִיםGodבָּלָקBalakבֶּןson ofצִפֹּרTzipporמֶלֶךְking ofמוֹאָבMoavשָׁלַחsentאֵלָי׃to me

רַשִׁ״י

בלקBalakבןson ofצפורZipporוגו'.etc.אַעַ"פִּEvenשֶׁאֵינִיthoughחָשׁוּבthat I am notבְּעֵינֶיךָ,importantחָשׁוּבin Your eyesאֲנִיimportantבְּעֵינֵיam Iהַמְּלָכִיםin the eyes ofשםthe kings:

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

הִנֵּהBeholdהָעָםthe nationהַיֹּצֵאthat came outמִמִּצְרַיִםfrom Mitzrayimוַיְכַסand it coversאֶת—עֵיןthe face ofהָאָרֶץthe earthעַתָּהnowלְכָהgoקָבָהcurseלִּיfor meאֹתוֹhimאוּלַיperhapsאוּכַלI will be ableלְהִלָּחֶםto battleבּוֹagainst himוְגֵרַשְׁתִּיו׃and drive him out

רַשִׁ״י

קבהCurseלי.for meזוֹthisקָשָׁהis harsherמֵאָרָהthan curseלִּי,for meשֶׁהוּאfor heנוֹקֵבpronouncesוּמְפָרֵשׁand specifiesשםthe Name:

רַשִׁ״י

וגרשתיו.and I will drive them outמִןfromהָעוֹלָם,the worldוּבָלָקbut Balakלֹאnotאָמַרsaidאֶלָּאexceptוַאֲגָרְשֶׁנּוּand I will drive them outמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe land—אֵינִיI do notמְבַקֵּשׁseekאֶלָּאexceptלְהַסִּיעָםto move themמֵעָלַי,from upon meוּבִלְעָםand Bilaamהָיָהwasשׂוֹנְאָםhating themיוֹתֵרmoreמִבָּלָקthan Balakשםthere:

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamלֹאDo notתֵלֵךְgoעִמָּהֶםwith themלֹאyou shall notתָאֹרcurseאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleכִּיforבָרוּךְblessedהוּא׃it is

רַשִׁ״י

לאYou shall notתלךgoעמהם.with themאָמַרHe saidלוֹto HimאִםifכֵּןsoאֲקַלְּלֵםI will curse themבִּמְקוֹמִי,in my placeאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himלאyou shall notתארcurseאת—העםthe people,אָמַרHe saidלוֹto Himאִםifכֵּןsoאֲבָרְכֵם,I will bless themאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himאֵינָםthey are notצְרִיכִיםneedingלְבִרְכָתְךָ,your blessingכיforברוךblessedהואthey are,מָשָׁל,a parableאוֹמְרִיםpeople sayלְצִרְעָהto the hornetלֹאneitherמִדֻּבְשֵׁךְof your honeyוְלֹאnorמֵעֻקְצֵךְof your stingשםthere:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with Klal Yisrael sending peaceful messengers to Sihon, who refuses passage and attacks, leading to his total defeat and the capture of his cities, including Heshbon. Moshe Rabbeinu then sends spies to Jazer, and the nation successfully marches against Og, the king of Bashan, whom Hashem commands Moshe not to fear; Og and his forces are completely wiped out. Terrified by these events, Balak, the king of Moab, sends a delegation to Balaam to hire him to curse the Jewish people, but Hashem appears to Balaam at night, forbidding him from going or cursing the nation, declaring that Klal Yisrael is blessed.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

When Balak sends messengers to Balaam to curse Klal Yisrael, Hashem immediately blocks him, saying: "Do not go with them. You must not curse that people, for they are blessed." Think about this deep truth. The nations of the world were plotting, sending delegations, and preparing spiritual weapons to destroy the Jewish people. Yet, before the Jewish people even knew they were in danger, Hashem was already defending them behind the scenes, declaring their essential holiness and blessing.

We often go through life worrying about the "Balaks" and "Balaams" in our lives, the hidden difficulties, the people who might not have our best interests at heart, or the silent challenges we cannot see. We stress over what might happen and how we will survive. But this parsha reveals the beautiful, comforting reality of Hashgacha Pratis: Hashem is protecting you from dangers you don't even know exist. He is fighting battles for you before they ever reach your doorstep.

Your job is not to live in fear of the hidden curses or the unknown trials of tomorrow. Your avodah is simply to live as a Yid who is "baruch", to align yourself with Torah and mitzvos, keeping yourself connected to the source of all blessing. When you walk with Hashem, His protection surrounds you, turning away every negative force before it can even whisper your name.

Today, when you feel a wave of worry about the future or about things beyond your control, take a deep breath and say: "Hashem, I trust that You are protecting me from what I cannot see. I am in Your hands."