Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we see the unfolding of Balak's desperate attempts to bring Bilaam to curse the Bnei Yisrael. After the first group of messengers is sent away, Balak sends a more distinguished delegation, promising great wealth and honor. Although Bilaam boasts that he cannot go against the word of Hashem, his deep-seated desire to go is clear. Hashem ultimately permits him to go, but with the strict condition that he may only speak the words that Hashem places in his mouth.

As Bilaam eagerly sets out on his donkey, Hashem's anger is kindled, leading to the famous and wondrous episode of the speaking donkey. Three times, an angel of Hashem blocks the path, visible only to the donkey, who tries to protect her master. This leads to a remarkable dialogue between Bilaam and his animal, opening Bilaam's eyes to his own spiritual blindness and his complete lack of independent power.

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

וַיָּקָםAnd Balaam aroseבִּלְעָםBalaamבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidאֶלtoשָׂרֵיthe officers ofבָלָקBalakלְכוּgoאֶלtoאַרְצְכֶםyour landכִּיforמֵאֵןrefusedיְהוָהHashemלְתִתִּיto allow meלַהֲלֹךְto goעִמָּכֶם׃with you

רַשִׁ״י

להלךto goעמכם.with youאֶלָּאbutעִםwithשָׂרִיםprincesגְּדוֹלִיםgreaterמִכֶּם,than youלָמַדְנוּwe learnedשֶׁרוּחוֹthat his spiritגְבוֹהָה,is haughtyוְלֹאand notרָצָהdid he wantלְגַלּוֹתto revealשֶׁהוּאthat he isבִרְשׁוּתוֹunder the authorityשֶׁלofמָקוֹם,the Omnipresentאֶלָּאexceptבִלְשׁוֹןin language ofגַּסּוּת,arroganceלְפִיכָךְthereforeויסףand he sent againעודmoreבלקBalak:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיָּקוּמוּAnd they aroseשָׂרֵיthe officers ofמוֹאָבMoavוַיָּבֹאוּand they cameאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidמֵאֵןrefusedבִּלְעָםBilamהֲלֹךְto goעִמָּנוּ׃with us

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיֹּסֶףAnd he addedעוֹדagainבָּלָקBalakשְׁלֹחַto sendשָׂרִיםofficersרַבִּיםmore numerousוְנִכְבָּדִיםand more distinguishedמֵאֵלֶּה׃than these

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיָּבֹאוּAnd they cameאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilamוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidלוֹto himכֹּהThusאָמַרsaidבָּלָקBalakבֶּןson ofצִפּוֹרTzipporאַלDo notנָאpleaseתִמָּנַעwithhold yourselfמֵהֲלֹךְfrom goingאֵלָי׃to me

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

כִּיforכַבֵּדhonorאֲכַבֶּדְךָI will honor youמְאֹדgreatlyוְכֹלand everythingאֲשֶׁרthatתֹּאמַרyou sayאֵלַיto meאֶעֱשֶׂהI will doוּלְכָהand goנָּאpleaseקָבָהcurseלִּיfor meאֵת—הָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּה׃this

רַשִׁ״י

כיForכבדhonoringאכבדךI will honor youמאד.exceedinglyיוֹתֵרmoreמִמַּהthan whatשֶּׁהָיִיתָthat you wereנוֹטֵלreceivingלְשֶׁעָבַרin the pastאֲנִיIנוֹתֵןam givingלְךָto youשםthere:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיַּעַןAnd answeredבִּלְעָםBilamוַיֹּאמֶרand saidאֶלtoעַבְדֵיthe servants ofבָלָקBalakאִםIfיִתֶּןgivesלִיto meבָלָקBalakמְלֹאthe fullness ofבֵיתוֹhis houseכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldלֹאnotאוּכַלwill I be ableלַעֲבֹרto transgressאֶת—פִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהָיmy Godלַעֲשׂוֹתto doקְטַנָּהa small thingאוֹorגְדוֹלָה׃a great thing

רַשִׁ״י

מלאfull ofביתוhis houseכסףsilverוזהב.and goldלָמַדְנוּwe learnשֶׁנַּפְשׁוֹthat his soulרְחָבָהwas broadוּמְחַמֵּדand covetous ofמָמוֹןwealth ofאֲחֵרִים,othersאָמַרhe saidרָאוּיit is fittingלוֹfor himלִתֵּןto giveלִיto meכָּלall ofכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldשֶׁלּוֹ,of hisשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdצָרִיךְhe would needלִשְׂכֹּרto hireחַיָּלוֹתarmiesרַבּוֹת,manyסָפֵקdoubtfulנוֹצֵחַhe conquersסָפֵקdoubtfulאֵינוֹhe does notנוֹצֵחַ,conquerוַאֲנִיbut Iוַדַּאיcertainlyנוֹצֵחַconquerשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

לאI cannotאוכלbe ableלעבר.to transgressעַלAgainstכָּרְחוֹhis own willגִלָּהhe revealedשֶׁהוּאthat heבִרְשׁוּתis in the controlאַחֵרִים,of othersוְנִתְנַבֵּאand he prophesiedכָאןhereשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notיָכוֹלableלְבַטֵּלto annulהַבְּרָכוֹתthe blessingsשֶׁנִּתְבָּרְכוּthat were blessedהָאָבוֹתthe patriarchsמִפִּיfrom the mouth ofהַשְּׁכִינָהthe Shechinahשםthere:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְעַתָּהAnd nowשְׁבוּstayנָאpleaseבָזֶהhereגַּםalsoאַתֶּםyouהַלָּיְלָהtonightוְאֵדְעָהand I will knowמַהwhatיֹּסֵףwill addיְהוָהHashemדַּבֵּרto speakעִמִּי׃with me

רַשִׁ״י

גםalsoאתם.youפִּיוhis mouthהִכְשִׁילוֹtripped him up—גַּםalsoאַתֶּםyouסוֹפְכֶםyour end isלֵילֵךְto goבְּפַחֵיwith disappointment ofנֶפֶשׁsoulכָּרִאשׁוֹנִים:like the first ones

רַשִׁ״י

מהwhatיסף.He will addלֹאnotיְשַׁנֶּהwill He changeדְבָרָיוHis wordsמִבְּרָכָהfrom blessingלִקְלָלָה,to curseהַלְוַאיif onlyשֶׁלֹּאthat notיוֹסִיףHe will addלְבָרֵךְ;to blessכָּאןhereנִתְנַבֵּאhe prophesiedשֶׁעָתִידthat He is destinedלְהוֹסִיףto addלָהֶםfor themבְּרָכוֹתblessingsעַלbyיָדוֹhis handשםthere:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיָּבֹאAnd cameאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilamלַיְלָהat nightוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidלוֹto himאִםIfלִקְרֹאto callלְךָyouבָּאוּhave comeהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menקוּםariseלֵךְgoאִתָּםwith themוְאַךְand onlyאֶת—הַדָּבָרthe wordאֲשֶׁרthatאֲדַבֵּרI shall speakאֵלֶיךָto youאֹתוֹitתַעֲשֶׂה׃you shall do

רַשִׁ״י

אםIfלקראto callלך.theeאִםifהַקְּרִיאָהthe callingשֶׁלְּךָis for youוְסָבוּרand thinkאַתָּהyouלִטֹּלto takeעָלֶיהָfor itשָׂכָר,paymentקוםariseלךgoאתםwith them:

רַשִׁ״י

ואך.butעַלagainstכָּרְחֲךָyour willאת—הדברthe wordאשרthatאדברI will speakאליךto youאתוitתעשה;you shall doוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughכֵןsoוַיֵּלֶךְand he wentבִּלְעָם,Bilaamאָמַרhe saidשֶׁמָּאperhapsאֲפַתֶּנּוּI will persuade Himוְיִתְרַצֶּה:and He will agree

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיָּקָםAnd he aroseבִּלְעָםBilaamבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיַּחֲבֹשׁand he saddledאֶת—אֲתֹנוֹhis donkeyוַיֵּלֶךְand he wentעִםwithשָׂרֵיthe officers ofמוֹאָב׃Moav

רַשִׁ״י

ויחבשAnd he saddledאת—אתנו.his she-assמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁהַשִּׂנְאָהthat hatredמְקַלְקֶלֶתdisregardsאֶת—הַשּׁוּרָה,the proper lineשֶׁחָבַשׁfor he saddledהוּאheבְּעַצְמוֹ;himselfאָמַרsaidהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneרָשָׁעwicked oneכְּבָרalreadyקְדָמְךָpreceded youאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֲבִיהֶם,their fatherשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבראשיתBereishisכ"ב22"וַיַּשְׁכֵּםand he rose earlyאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיַּחֲבֹשׁand he saddledאֶת—חֲמֹרוֹ"his donkeyתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

עםwithשריthe princes ofמואב.Moavלִבּוֹhis heartכְּלִבָּםlike their heartשָׁוֶה:was equal

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיִּחַרand flaredאַףthe anger ofאֱלֹהִיםGodכִּיbecauseהוֹלֵךְgoingהוּאhe wasוַיִּתְיַצֵּבand stoodמַלְאַךְan angel ofיְהוָהHashemבַּדֶּרֶךְin the roadלְשָׂטָןas an adversaryלוֹto himוְהוּאand he wasרֹכֵבridingעַלuponאֲתֹנוֹhis donkeyוּשְׁנֵיand two ofנְעָרָיוhis youthsעִמּוֹ׃were with him

רַשִׁ״י

כיbecauseהולךgoingהוא.he wasרָאָהhe sawשֶׁהַדָּבָרthat the matterרַעwas evilבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentוְנִתְאַוָּהand he desiredלֵילֵךְ:to go

רַשִׁ״י

לשטןfor an adversaryלו.to himמַלְאָךְan angelשֶׁלofרַחֲמִיםmercyהָיָה,it wasוְהָיָהand he wasרוֹצֶהwantingלְמָנְעוֹto prevent himמִלַּחֲטֹא,from sinningשֶׁלֹּאso that notיֶחֱטָאhe would sinוְיֹאבַדand perishשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

ושניAnd two ofנעריוhis ladsעמו.with himמִכָּאןfrom hereלְאָדָםfor a personחָשׁוּבdistinguishedהַיּוֹצֵאwho goes outלַדֶּרֶךְon the wayיוֹלִיךְhe should takeעִמּוֹwith himשְׁנֵיtwoאֲנָשִׁיםmenלְשַׁמְּשׁוֹ,to serve himוְחוֹזְרִיםand they returnוּמְשַׁמְּשִׁיםand they serveזֶהthis oneאֶת—זֶהthis oneשםthere:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַתֵּרֶאAnd she sawהָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyאֶת—מַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemנִצָּבstandingבַּדֶּרֶךְin the wayוְחַרְבּוֹand his swordשְׁלוּפָהdrawnבְּיָדוֹin his handוַתֵּטand she turnedהָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyמִןfromהַדֶּרֶךְthe wayוַתֵּלֶךְand she wentבַּשָּׂדֶהin the fieldוַיַּךְand he struckבִּלְעָםBilaamאֶת—הָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyלְהַטֹּתָהּto turn herהַדָּרֶךְ׃to the way

רַשִׁ״י

ותראAnd she sawהאתון.the she-assוְהוּאbut heלֹאdid notרָאָהseeשֶׁנָּתַןfor gaveהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneרְשׁוּתpermissionלַבְּהֵמָהto the animalלִרְאוֹתto seeיוֹתֵרmoreמִןthanהָאָדָם,the manשֶׁמִּתוֹךְfor becauseשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבּוֹin himדַּעַת,intellectתִּטָּרֵףwould be unsettledדַּעְתּוֹhis mindכְּשֶׁיִּרְאֶהwhen he seesמַזִּיקִין:damaging spirits

רַשִׁ״י

וחרבוand his swordשלופהdrawnבידו.in his handאָמַר,He saidרָשָׁעwicked manזֶהthisהִנִּיחַabandonedכְּלִיthe tool ofאֻמָּנוּתוֹ,his craftשֶׁכְּלִיfor the tool ofזֵינָןtheir weaponשֶׁלofאֻמּוֹתthe nations ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldבַּחֶרֶב,is with the swordוְהוּאand heבָאcomesעֲלֵיהֶםagainst themבְּפִיוwith his mouthשֶׁהוּאwhich isאֻמָּנוּתthe craftשֶׁלָּהֶם,of theirsאַףevenאֲנִיIאֶתְפֹּשׂwill seizeאֶת—שֶׁלּוֹhisוְאָבֹאand I will comeעָלָיוagainst himבְּאֻמָּנוּתוֹ,with his craftוְכֵןand soסוֹפוֹwas his end—"וְאֵת"and —בִּלְעָםBilaamבֶּןthe son ofבְּעוֹרBeorהָרְגוּthey killedבֶחָרֶב"with the sword"במדברBamidbarל"א31:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיַּעֲמֹדAnd he stoodמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemבְּמִשְׁעוֹלin a path ofהַכְּרָמִיםthe vineyardsגָּדֵרa fenceמִזֶּהfrom this sideוְגָדֵרand a fenceמִזֶּה׃from this side

רַשִׁ״י

במשעול.In a pathכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targum"בִּשְׁבִיל","in a path"וְכֵןand similarly"אִם"ifיִשְׂפֹּקwill sufficeעֲפַרthe dust ofשֹׁמְרוֹןShomronלִשְׁעָלִים"for handfuls"מלכיםMelachimאIכ'20—עָפָרdustהַנִּדְבָּקthat clingsבְּכַפּוֹתto the soles ofהָרַגְלַיִםthe feetבְּהִלּוּכָן,in their walkingוְכֵןand similarly"מִי"whoמָדַדmeasuredבְּשָׁעֳלוֹwith his stepמַיִם"water"ישעיהוYeshayahuמ'40—בְּרַגְלָיוwith his feetוּבְהִלּוּכוֹ:and with his walking

רַשִׁ״י

גדרa fenceמזהfrom this sideוגדרand a fenceמזה.from this sideסְתָםan undefinedגָּדֵרfenceשֶׁלofאֲבָנִיםstonesהוּא:it is

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַתֵּרֶאAnd she sawהָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyאֶת—מַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemוַתִּלָּחֵץand she pressedאֶלagainstהַקִּירthe wallוַתִּלְחַץand she squeezedאֶת—רֶגֶלthe foot ofבִּלְעָםBilamאֶלagainstהַקִּירthe wallוַיֹּסֶףand he continuedלְהַכֹּתָהּ׃to beat her

רַשִׁ״י

ותלחץ.and she pressedהִיאherselfעַצְמָהּ:·

רַשִׁ״י

וַתִּלְחַץ:and she pressedאֶת—אֲחֵרִיםothers—את—רגלthe foot ofבלעםBilaam:

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיּוֹסֶףAnd addedמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemעֲבוֹרto passוַיַּעֲמֹדand he stoodבְּמָקוֹםin a placeצָרnarrowאֲשֶׁרwhereאֵיןthere was noדֶּרֶךְwayלִנְטוֹתto turnיָמִיןrightוּשְׂמֹאול׃or left

רַשִׁ״י

ויוסףAnd addedמלאךthe angel ofה'Hashemעבור.to passלַעֲבֹרto passעוֹדfurtherלְפָנָיוbefore him—לַהֲלֹךְto goלִהְיוֹתto beלְפָנָיוbefore himבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאַחֵר,anotherכְּמוֹlike"וְהוּא"and heעָבַרpassedלִפְנֵיהֶם"before them"בראשיתBereishisל"ג33;וּמִדְרַשׁAnd the Midrashאַגָּדָהof Aggadahיֵשׁthere isבְּתַנְחוּמָא:in Tanchumaמָהwhatרָאָהdid he seeלַעֲמֹדto standבִּשְׁלֹשָׁהin threeמְקוֹמוֹת?placesסִימָנֵיsigns ofאָבוֹתthe Patriarchsהֶרְאָהוּ:he showed him

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַתֵּרֶאAnd she sawהָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyאֶת—מַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemוַתִּרְבַּץand she crouchedתַּחַתunderבִּלְעָםBilaamוַיִּחַרand flaredאַףthe anger ofבִּלְעָםBilaamוַיַּךְand he struckאֶת—הָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyבַּמַּקֵּל׃with the staff

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיִּפְתַּחAnd He openedיְהוָהHashemאֶת—פִּיthe mouth ofהָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyוַתֹּאמֶרand she saidלְבִלְעָםto BilamמֶהWhatעָשִׂיתִיhave I doneלְךָto youכִּיthatהִכִּיתַנִיyou have beaten meזֶהtheseשָׁלֹשׁthreeרְגָלִים׃times

רַשִׁ״י

זהthisשלשthreeרגלים.timesרָמַזhe hintedלוֹ:to himאַתָּהyouמְבַקֵּשׁseekלַעֲקֹרto uprootאֻמָּהa nationהַחוֹגֶגֶתthat celebratesשָׁלֹשׁthreeרְגָלִיםfestivalsבַּשָּׁנָה?in the yearתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidבִּלְעָםBilamלָאָתוֹןto the donkeyכִּיbecauseהִתְעַלַּלְתְּyou mockedבִּיmeלוּif onlyיֶשׁthere wereחֶרֶבa swordבְּיָדִיin my handכִּיforעַתָּהnowהֲרַגְתִּיךְ׃I would have killed you

רַשִׁ״י

התעללת.you have mockedכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its translationלְשׁוֹןan expression ofגְּנַאיscornוּבִזָּיוֹן:and disdain

רַשִׁ״י

לוif onlyישthere wereחרבa swordבידי.in my handגְּנוּתa disgraceגְּדוֹלָהgreatהָיָהwasלוֹto himדָבָרmatterזֶהthisבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofהַשָּׂרִיםthe princes—זֶהthis oneהוֹלֵךְgoesלַהֲרֹגto killאֻמָּהa nationשְׁלֵמָהentireבְּפִיוwith his mouthוּלְאָתוֹןand for a donkeyזוֹthisצָרִיךְhe needsכְּלֵיweapons ofזַיִן:armour

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַתֹּאמֶרAnd she saidהָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilamהֲלוֹאAm I notאָנֹכִיIאֲתֹנְךָyour she-donkeyאֲשֶׁרwhomרָכַבְתָּyou have riddenעָלַיupon meמֵעוֹדְךָsince you existedעַדuntilהַיּוֹםthe dayהַזֶּהthisהַהַסְכֵּןhave I been accustomedהִסְכַּנְתִּיto be accustomedלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלְךָto youכֹּהsoוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidלֹא׃No

רַשִׁ״י

ההסכןHave I been accustomedהסכנתי.to do soכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its Targumוְכֵןand so"הַלְאֵלCan to Godיִסְכָּןbe usefulגָּבֶר"a manאיובIyovכ"ב22;וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our Rabbisדָרְשׁוּexpoundedמִקְרָאverseזֶהthisבַּתַּלְמוּד,in the Talmudאָמְרוּthey saidלֵיהּto himמַאיwhat isטַעְמָאthe reasonלָאnotרְכַבְתְּyou rideאַסּוּסְיָא?on a horseאֲמַרhe saidלְהוּto themבִּרְטִיבָאin the pastureשְׁדַאיI castלֵיהּitכו',etcכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְמַסֶּכֶתin Tractateעֲ"זָAvodah Zarahדףpageד'4:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיְגַלAnd He uncoveredיְהוָהHashemאֶת—עֵינֵיthe eyes ofבִלְעָםBilamוַיַּרְאand he sawאֶת—מַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemנִצָּבstandingבַּדֶּרֶךְin the wayוְחַרְבּוֹand his swordשְׁלֻפָהdrawnבְּיָדוֹin his handוַיִּקֹּדand he bowedוַיִּשְׁתַּחוּand he prostratedלְאַפָּיו׃to his face

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֵלָיוto himמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemעַלforמָהwhatהִכִּיתָhave you beatenאֶת—אֲתֹנְךָyour jennyזֶהtheseשָׁלוֹשׁthreeרְגָלִיםtimesהִנֵּהbeholdאָנֹכִיIיָצָאתִיcame outלְשָׂטָןas an adversaryכִּיforיָרַטis obnoxiousהַדֶּרֶךְthe errandלְנֶגְדִּי׃to me

רַשִׁ״י

כיbecauseירטis perverseהדרךthe wayלנגדי.before meרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisחַכְמֵיthe Sages ofהַמִּשְׁנָהthe Mishnahדְּרָשׁוּהוּexpounded itנוֹטָרִיקוֹןas an acrostic—יָרְאָה,she fearedרָאֲתָה,she sawנָטְתָהshe turned asideבִּשְׁבִילbecauseשֶׁהַדֶּרֶךְthat the journeyלְנֶגְדִּיis against meשבתShabbosקכ"ה105a,כְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayלְקִנְאָתִיto my angerוּלְהַקְנִיטֵנִי;and to provoke meוּלְפִיand according toמַשְׁמָעוֹits literal meaningכִּיthatחָרַדhastenedהַדֶּרֶךְthe journeyלְנֶגְדִּי,against meלְשׁוֹןan expression ofרֶטֶטtrembling—כִּיforרָאִיתִיI sawבַעַלthe master ofהַדֶּרֶךְthe journeyשֶׁחָרַדwho trembledוּמִהֵרand hurriedהַדֶּרֶךְthe journeyשֶׁהוּאwhich isלְכַעְסִיto my angerוּלְהַמְרוֹתִי,and to defy meוּמִקְרָאand a verseקָצָרellipticalהוּא,it isכְּמוֹlike"וַתְּכַלand longedדָּוִד"DavidשמואלShmuelבIIי"ג13;לִישָׁנָאan expressionאַחֲרִינָאanotherיָרַטyaratלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofרָצוֹן,pleasureוְכֵןand so"עַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofרְשָׁעִיםwicked menיִרְטֵנִי"He appeases meאיובIyovט"ז16—מְפַיֵּסHe appeasesוּמְנַחֵםand comfortsאוֹתִיmeעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofרְשָׁעִיםwicked menשֶׁאֵינָןwho are notאֶלָּאbutמַקְנִיטִים:provoking

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וַתִּרְאַנִיAnd she saw meהָאָתוֹןthe she-donkeyוַתֵּטand she turned asideלְפָנַיbefore meזֶהtheseשָׁלֹשׁthreeרְגָלִיםtimesאוּלַיperhapsנָטְתָהshe turned asideמִפָּנַיfrom before meכִּיforעַתָּהnowגַּםalsoאֹתְכָהyouהָרַגְתִּיI would have killedוְאוֹתָהּand herהֶחֱיֵיתִי׃I would have kept alive

רַשִׁ״י

אוליPerhapsנטתה.she turned asideכְּמוֹis likeלוּלֵי,unlessפְּעָמִיםsometimesשֶׁאוּלַיthat perhapsמְשַׁמֵּשׁis usedבִּלְשׁוֹןin the sense ofלוּלֵי:unless

רַשִׁ״י

גםAlsoאתכהtheeהרגתי.I had slainהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמִקְרָאa verseמְסֹרָסinvertedוְהוּאand itכְמוֹis likeגַּםalsoהָרַגְתִּיI would have slainאוֹתְךָ,theeכְּלוֹמַר,meaning to sayלֹאnotהָעַכָּבָהthe delayבִּלְבַדaloneקְרָאַתְךָbefell theeעַלbyיָדִי,my handכִּיbutגַםalsoהַהֲרִיגָה:the slaying

רַשִׁ״י

ואותהand itהחייתי.I would have kept aliveוְעַתָּהand nowמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁדִּבְּרָהthat it spokeוְהוֹכִיחַתְךָ,and rebuked youוְלֹאand notיָכֹלְתָּyou were ableלַעֲמֹדto standבְּתוֹכַחְתָּהּagainst its rebuke—כְּמוֹjust asשֶׁכָּתוּבit is writtenויאמרand he saidלאno—הֲרַגְתִּיהָ,I killed itשֶׁלֹּאso that notיֹאמְרוּ,they should sayזוֹthisהִיאis itשֶׁסִּלְּקָהthat silencedבִלְעָםBilaamבְּתוֹכַחְתָּהּwith its rebukeוְלֹאand notיָכוֹלhe was ableלְהָשִׁיב,to replyשֶׁחָסfor has pityהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentעַלonכְּבוֹדthe honor ofהַבְּרִיּוֹת,the creationsוְכֵןand likewiseויקראVayikraכ'chapter 20"וְהָרַגְתָּand you shall slayאֶת—הָאִשָּׁהthe womanוְאֶתand —הַבְּהֵמָה",the animalוְכֵןand likewiseשםthere"אֶת—הַבְּהֵמָהthe animalתַּהֲרֹגוּ"you shall slayתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidבִּלְעָםBilamאֶלtoמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemחָטָאתִיI have sinnedכִּיforלֹאnotיָדַעְתִּיdid I knowכִּיthatאַתָּהyouנִצָּבwere standingלִקְרָאתִיto meet meבַּדָּרֶךְin the wayוְעַתָּהand nowאִםifרַעit is evilבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesאָשׁוּבָהI will returnלִּי׃for myself

רַשִׁ״י

כיForלאnotידעתי.I knewגַּםalsoזֶהthisגְנוּתוֹ,is his disgraceוְעַלand againstכָּרְחוֹhis willהוֹדָה,he admittedשֶׁהוּאfor heהָיָהwasמִשְׁתַּבֵּחַboastingשֶׁיּוֹדֵעַthat he knowsדַּעַתthe knowledge ofעֶלְיוֹן,the Most Highוּפִיוand his mouthהֵעִידtestifiedלֹאnotיָדַעְתִּיI knewשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

אםIfרעit is badבעיניךin your eyesאשובהI will returnלי.·לְהַתְרִיסTo provokeנֶגֶדagainstהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentהִיאisתְשׁוּבָהanswerזוֹ,thisאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himהוּאHeבְעַצְמוֹHimselfצִוַּנִיcommanded meלָלֶכֶתto goוְאַתָּהand youמַלְאָךְan angelמְבַטֵּלannulאֶת—דְּבָרָיו,His wordsלָמוּדAccustomedהוּאHe isבְּכָךְto thisשֶׁאוֹמֵרthat He saysדָּבָרa thingוּמַלְאָךְand an angelמַחֲזִירוֹ,retracts itאָמַרHe saidלְאַבְרָהָםto Avraham"קַחTakeנָאpleaseאֶת—בִּנְךָ"your sonוְגוֹ'etc.בראשיתBereishisכ"ב22,וְעַלand byיְדֵיmeans ofמַלְאָךְan angelבִּטֵּלHe annulledאֶת—דְּבָרוֹ,His wordאַףSo tooאֲנִיIאִםifרַעit is badבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesצָרִיךְmustאֲנִיIלָשׁוּב:return

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamלֵךְgoעִםwithהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menוְאֶפֶסbut onlyאֶת—הַדָּבָרthe wordאֲשֶׁרthatאֲדַבֵּרI will speakאֵלֶיךָto youאֹתוֹitתְדַבֵּרyou shall speakוַיֵּלֶךְand wentבִּלְעָםBilaamעִםwithשָׂרֵיthe officers ofבָלָק׃Balak

רַשִׁ״י

לךgoעםwithהאנשים.the menבַּדֶּרֶךְon the roadשֶׁאָדָםthat a personרוֹצֶהdesiresלֵילֵךְto goבָּהּ,on itמוֹלִיכִיןthey leadאוֹתוֹ:him

רַשִׁ״י

לךgoעםwithהאנשים.the menכִּיforחֶלְקְךָyour portionעִמָּהֶםis with themוְסוֹפְךָand your endלֹאבַדis to perishמִןfromהָעוֹלָםthe worldמכותMakkosי'10:

רַשִׁ״י

ואפס.butעַלagainstכָּרְחֲךָyour willאת—הדברthe wordאשרthatאדברI shall speakוגו'etc.:

רַשִׁ״י

עםwithשריthe princes ofבלק.Balakשָֹמַחhe was gladלְקַלְּלֵםto curse themכְּמוֹתָם:like them

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וַיִּשְׁמַעAnd he heardבָּלָקBalakכִּיthatבָאhad comeבִלְעָםBilaamוַיֵּצֵאand he went outלִקְרָאתוֹto meet himאֶלtoעִירthe city ofמוֹאָבMoavאֲשֶׁרwhichעַלis onגְּבוּלthe border ofאַרְנֹןArnonאֲשֶׁרwhichבִּקְצֵהis at the end ofהַגְּבוּל׃the border

רַשִׁ״י

וישמעAnd Balak heardבלק.Balakשָׁלַחhe sentשְׁלוּחִיםmessengersלְבַשְּׂרוֹ:to announce to him

רַשִׁ״י

אלToעירthe city ofמואב.Moavאֶלtoמֶטְרוֹפּוֹלִיןthe metropolisשֶׁלּוֹof his—עִירthe cityהַחֲשׁוּבָהthe importantשֶׁלּוֹ,of hisלוֹמַרto sayרְאֵהseeמָהwhatאֵלּוּtheseמְבַקְשִׁיםseekלַעֲקֹרto uprootתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidבָּלָקBalakאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamהֲלֹאDid I notשָׁלֹחַsurelyשָׁלַחְתִּיsendאֵלֶיךָto youלִקְרֹאto summonלָךְyouלָמָּהwhyלֹאdid you notהָלַכְתָּcomeאֵלָיto meהַאֻמְנָםis it trulyלֹאthat I cannotאוּכַלbe ableכַּבְּדֶךָ׃to honor you

רַשִׁ״י

האמנםIs it indeedלאnotאוכלI am ableכבדך.to honor youנִתְנַבֵּאHe prophesiedשֶׁסּוֹפוֹthat his endלָצֵאתis to leaveמֵעִמּוֹfrom himבְקָלוֹןin disgraceשםthere:

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidבִּלְעָםBilamאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakהִנֵּהbeholdבָאתִיI have comeאֵלֶיךָto youעַתָּהnowהֲיָכוֹלdo I haveאוּכַלabilityדַּבֵּרto speakמְאוּמָהanythingהַדָּבָרthe wordאֲשֶׁרthatיָשִׂיםwill placeאֱלֹהִיםGodבְּפִיin my mouthאֹתוֹitאֲדַבֵּר׃I will speak

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with Bilaam sending Balak's first messengers back, followed by the arrival of a second, more prestigious delegation. Despite Bilaam's claim that he cannot violate Hashem's command for a house full of silver and gold, Hashem allows him to go with them, warning him to only speak what he is told. On the journey, an angel with a drawn sword blocks the path, causing Bilaam's donkey to swerve, press his leg against a wall, and finally lie down, prompting Bilaam to beat her each time. Hashem miraculously opens the donkey's mouth to protest, and then uncovers Bilaam's eyes to see the angel, who reprimands him and reiterates that he must only speak the words of Hashem. The aliyah concludes with Balak greeting Bilaam at the border, where Bilaam immediately emphasizes that he has no power of his own and can only utter what Hashem puts in his mouth.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

Look at the incredible blindness of Bilaam. He was a prophet with a towering intellect, yet when his donkey repeatedly stopped and pressed his leg against the wall, he did not stop to think, "Why is this happening? Why is my reliable animal suddenly acting so strangely?" Instead, he became furious and beat her. He was so blinded by his desire for honor and wealth from Balak that he completely missed the obvious signs Hashem was placing right in front of his eyes.

How often do we act like Bilaam in our own lives? We make a plan, we decide exactly how things must go, and then we run into unexpected obstacles. The car won't start, a meeting gets canceled, or someone gets in our way and delays us. Our natural reaction is often anger and frustration. We want to "beat the donkey" and force our way through the barrier, without stopping to realize that the delay itself is a message from Hashem.

Every block in the road is a hand from Shamayim guiding us, protecting us, or telling us to slow down and reconsider our path. When we live with emunah, we understand that there are no random frustrations. Instead of pushing through with anger when things do not go your way, stop and ask yourself what Hashem is trying to show you in this very moment.

Today, when you encounter an annoying delay, a minor frustration, or an obstacle to your plans, do not react with anger. Take a deep breath, realize that Hashem is standing in the path, and ask Him to help you see the direction He wants you to take.