Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we see the wicked Balak bringing the rasha Balaam to Kiriath-huzoth, hoping to destroy Klal Yisrael through curses. Balak prepares lavish sacrifices, and Balaam instructs him to build seven altars, hoping to find a favorable moment to unleash his evil eye. However, Hashem intervenes, putting holy words of blessing directly into Balaam's mouth instead of the curses he so desperately wanted to utter.

We then hear Balaam's first two poetic prophecies, where he is forced to praise the unique holiness of the Jewish people. He describes how Klal Yisrael dwells apart from the nations, protected by Hashem's love, and how their strength is like that of a mighty lion. Despite Balak's growing frustration and his attempts to move Balaam to different vantage points, the rasha is completely powerless to change the ratzon of Hashem.

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

וַיֵּלֶךְAnd wentבִּלְעָםBilamעִםwithבָּלָקBalakוַיָּבֹאוּand they cameקִרְיַתto the city ofחֻצוֹת׃streets

רַשִׁ״י

קריתA city ofחצות.streetsעִירa cityמְלֵאָהfull ofשְׁוָקִים,streetsאֲנָשִׁיםpeopleוָטַףand childrenבְּחוּצוֹתֶיהָ,in its streetsלוֹמַרas if to sayרְאֵהlookוְרַחֵםand have pityשֶׁלֹּאthat notיֵעָקְרוּshould be uprootedאֵלּוּ:these

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיִּזְבַּחAnd slaughteredבָּלָקBalakבָּקָרcattleוָצֹאןand sheepוַיְשַׁלַּחand he sentלְבִלְעָםto Bilamוְלַשָּׂרִיםand to the officersאֲשֶׁרwhoאִתּוֹ׃were with him

רַשִׁ״י

בקרcattleוצאן.and sheepדָּבָרa matterמוּעָט:small

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיְהִיAnd it wasבַבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיִּקַּחand tookבָּלָקBalakאֶת—בִּלְעָםBilaamוַיַּעֲלֵהוּand brought him upבָּמוֹתto the heights ofבָּעַלBaalוַיַּרְאand he sawמִשָּׁםfrom thereקְצֵהthe edge ofהָעָם׃the people

רַשִׁ״י

במותBamothבעל.Baalכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,is like its Targum"לְרָמַת"to the heights ofדַּחַלְתֵּהּ",his fear"שֵׁםthe name ofעֲ"זָ:an idol

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidבִּלְעָםBilamאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakבְּנֵהbuildלִיfor meבָזֶהhereשִׁבְעָהsevenמִזְבְּחֹתaltarsוְהָכֵןand prepareלִיfor meבָּזֶהhereשִׁבְעָהsevenפָרִיםbullsוְשִׁבְעָהand sevenאֵילִים׃rams

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיַּעַשׂAnd didבָּלָקBalakכַּאֲשֶׁרasדִּבֶּרspokeבִּלְעָםBilaamוַיַּעַלand offered upבָּלָקBalakוּבִלְעָםand Bilaamפָּרa bullוָאַיִלand a ramבַּמִּזְבֵּחַ׃on the altar

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidבִּלְעָםBilaamלְבָלָקto Balakהִתְיַצֵּבstandעַלbyעֹלָתֶךָyour burnt-offeringוְאֵלְכָהand I will goאוּלַיperhapsיִקָּרֵהwill happen to meetיְהוָהHashemלִקְרָאתִיtowards meוּדְבַרand the wordמַהthatיַּרְאֵנִיHe shows meוְהִגַּדְתִּיI will tellלָךְto youוַיֵּלֶךְand he wentשֶׁפִי׃alone

רַשִׁ״י

אוליperhapsיקרהwill happenה'Hashemלקראתי.to meet meאֵינוֹHe is notרָגִילaccustomedלְדַבֵּרto speakעִמִּיwith meבַּיּוֹם:by day

רַשִׁ״י

וילךand he wentשפי.shefiכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targumיְחִידִי,aloneלְשׁוֹןan expression ofשֹׁפִיeaseוְשֶׁקֶט,and quietשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notעִמּוֹwith himאֶלָּאexceptשְׁתִיקָה:silence

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיִּקָּרAnd happened to meetאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶל·בִּלְעָםBilamוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidאֵלָיוto Himאֶת—שִׁבְעַתthe seven ofהַמִּזְבְּחֹתthe altarsעָרַכְתִּיI have set upוָאַעַלand I offered upפָּרa bullוָאַיִלand a ramבַּמִּזְבֵּחַ׃on each altar

רַשִׁ״י

ויקר.And He happenedלְשׁוֹןan expression ofעֲרַאי,casualnessלְשׁוֹןan expression ofגְּנַאי,disgraceלְשׁוֹןan expression ofטֻמְאַתthe uncleanness ofקֶרִי,a nocturnal emissionכְּלוֹמַרas if to sayבְּקֹשִׁיwith reluctanceוּבְבִזָּיוֹן,and with contemptוְלֹאand notהָיָהwas Heנִגְלֶהrevealedאֵלָיוto himבַּיּוֹםby dayאֶלָּאexceptבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofלְהַרְאוֹתto showחִבָּתָןthe preciousness ofשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbahנ"ב52:

רַשִׁ״י

את—שבעתthe sevenהמזבחת.altarsשִׁבְעָהsevenמִזְבְּחֹתaltarsעָרַכְתִּיI have setאֵיןis notכְּתִיבwrittenכָּאן,hereאֶלָּאbut ratherאֶת—שִׁבְעַתthe sevenהַמִּזְבְּחֹת,altarsאָמַרhe saidלְפָנָיוbefore Himאֲבוֹתֵיהֶםthe ancestorsשֶׁלofאֵלּוּtheseבָּנוּbuiltלְפָנֶיךָbefore Theeשִׁבְעָהsevenמִזְבְּחוֹתaltarsוַאֲנִיand Iעָרַכְתִּיhave set in orderכְּנֶגֶדcorresponding toכֻּלָּן,all of themאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבָּנָהbuiltאַרְבָּעָהfour—"וַיִּבֶןand he builtשָׁםthereמִזְבֵּחַan altarלַה'to HashemהַנִּרְאֶהWho appearedאֵלָיו"to himבראשיתBereishisי"ב12,"וַיַּעְתֵּקand he removedמִשָּׁםfrom thereהָהָרָה"to the mountainוְגוֹ'etc.שםthere,"וַיֶּאֱהַלand he moved tentאַבְרָהָם"Avrahamוְגוֹ'etc.שםthereי"ג13,וְאֶחָדand oneבְּהַרon Mountהַמּוֹרִיָּה;Moriahוְיִצְחָקand Yitzchakבָּנָהbuiltאֶחָדone—"וַיִּבֶןand he builtשָׁםthereמִזְבֵּחַ"an altarוְגוֹ'etc.שםthereכ"ו26,וְיַעֲקֹבand Yaakovבָּנָהbuiltשְׁתַּיִם,twoאֶחָדoneבִּשְׁכֶםat Shechemוְאֶחָדand oneבְּבֵיתat Bethאֵל:El

רַשִׁ״י

ואעלand I offeredפרa bullואילand a ramבמזבח.on the altarוְאַבְרָהָםbut Avrahamלֹאdid notהֶעֱלָהofferאֶלָּאexceptאַיִלa ramאֶחָדoneתנחומאTanchumaצוTzav:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיָּשֶׂםAnd He placedיְהוָהHashemדָּבָרa wordבְּפִיin the mouth ofבִלְעָםBilaamוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidשׁוּבreturnאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakוְכֹהand thusתְדַבֵּר׃you shall speak

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיָּשָׁבAnd he returnedאֵלָיוto himוְהִנֵּהand beholdנִצָּבstandingעַלbyעֹלָתוֹhis elevation-offeringהוּאheוְכָלand allשָׂרֵיthe officers ofמוֹאָב׃Moav

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיִּשָּׂאAnd he took upמְשָׁלוֹhis themeוַיֹּאמַרand he saidמִןFromאֲרָםAramיַנְחֵנִיhas led meבָלָקBalakמֶלֶךְking ofמוֹאָבMoavמֵהַרְרֵיfrom the mountains ofקֶדֶםthe Eastלְכָהcomeאָרָהcurseלִּיfor meיַעֲקֹבYaakovוּלְכָהand comeזֹעֲמָהbring anger uponיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

ארהcurseליfor meיעקבYaakovולכהand comeזעמהexecrateישראל.Yisraelבִּשְׁנֵיby two ofשְׁמוֹתֵיהֶםtheir namesאָמַרhe saidלוֹto himלְקַלְּלָםto curse themשֶׁמָּאperhapsאֶחָדoneמֵהֶםof themאֵינוֹis notמֻבְהָק:distinctive

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

מָהHowאֶקֹּבcan I curseלֹאhas notקַבֹּהcursed himאֵלGodוּמָהand howאֶזְעֹםcan I angerלֹאhas notזָעַםangeredיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

מהHowאקבshall I curseלאnotקבהhas cursedאל.Godכְּשֶׁהָיוּwhen they wereרְאוּיִיםdeservingלְהִתְקַלֵּלto be cursedלֹאnotנִתְקַלְּלוּwere they cursed—כְּשֶׁהִזְכִּירwhen mentionedאֲבִיהֶםtheir fatherאֶת—עֲוֹנָםtheir sin"כִּי"forבְאַפָּםin their angerהָרְגוּthey slewאִישׁ",a man"לֹאnotקִלֵּלdid he curseאֶלָּאexceptאַפָּם,their angerשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"אָרוּר"cursed beאַפָּם"their anger"בראשיתBereishisמ"ט49;כְּשֶׁנִּכְנַסwhen enteredאֲבִיהֶםtheir fatherבְּמִרְמָהwith deceitאֵצֶלtoאָבִיוhis fatherהָיָהhe wasרָאוּיdeservingלְהִתְקַלֵּל,to be cursedמַהwhatנֶּאֱמַרis saidשָׁם?there"גַּם"alsoבָּרוּךְblessedיִהְיֶה"he shall be"שםthereכ"ז27,בַּמְבָרְכִיםregarding those blessingנֶאֱמַרit is said"אֵלֶּה"theseיַעַמְדוּshall standלְבָרֵךְto blessאֶת—הָעָם",the people"בַּמְקַלְּלִיםregarding those cursingלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרis it saidוְאֵלֶּהand theseיַעַמְדוּshall standלְקַלֵּלto curseאֶת—הָעָםthe peopleאֶלָּאbut"וְאֵלֶּה"and theseיַעַמְדוּshall standעַלforהַקְּלָלָה"the curse"דבריםDevarimכ"ז27—לֹאnotרָצָהdid He wantלְהַזְכִּירto mentionעֲלֵיהֶםupon themשֵׁםthe termקְלָלָהof curseתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotזעםangryה'.HashemאֲנִיIאֵיןhave noכֹּחִיmy powerאֶלָּאexceptשֶׁאֲנִיthat Iיוֹדֵעַknowלְכַוֵּןto determineהַשָּׁעָהthe momentשֶׁהַקָּבָּ"הthat the Holy Oneכוֹעֵסis angryבָּהּ,in itוְהוּאand Heלֹאnotכָעַסwas angryכָּלallהַיָּמִיםthe daysהַלָּלוּtheseשֶׁבָּאתִיthat I cameאֵלֶיךָ,to youוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhat is saidמיכהMichahו'six"עַמִּיMy peopleזְכָרrememberנָאpleaseמַהwhatיָּעַץ"devisedוְגוֹ'etcetera"וּמֶהand whatעָנָהansweredאֹתוֹhimבִּלְעָם"Bilaamוְגוֹ'etcetera"לְמַעַןin orderדַּעַתto knowצִדְקוֹתthe righteous acts ofה'"HashemסנהדריןSanhedrinק"הone hundred five:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

כִּיForמֵרֹאשׁfrom the top ofצֻרִיםrocksאֶרְאֶנּוּI see himוּמִגְּבָעוֹתand from hillsאֲשׁוּרֶנּוּI gaze at himהֶןbeholdעָםa peopleלְבָדָדaloneיִשְׁכֹּןit dwellsוּבַגּוֹיִםand among the nationsלֹאnotיִתְחַשָּׁב׃it reckons itself

רַשִׁ״י

כיForמראשfrom the topצריםof rocksאראנו.I see himאֲנִיIמִסְתַּכֵּלlookבְּרֵאשִׁיתָםat their originוּבִתְחִלַּתand at the beginningשָׁרְשֵׁיהֶםof their rootוַאֲנִיand Iרוֹאֶהbeholdאוֹתָםthemמְיֻסָּדִיםfoundedוַחֲזָקִיםand strongכְּצוּרִיםas rocksוּגְבָעוֹתand hillsהַלָּלוּtheseעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofאָבוֹתfathersוְאִמָּהוֹתand mothersתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

הןLoעםa peopleלבדדaloneישכן.shall dwellהוּאit isאֲשֶׁרwhatזָכוּhave acquiredלוֹfor themאֲבוֹתָיוtheir ancestors—לִשְׁכֹּןto dwellבָּדָד,aloneכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ:like its Targum

רַשִׁ״י

ובגויםand among nationsלאnotיתחשב.it shall reckon itselfכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its Targumלֹאnotיִהְיוּthey will beנַעֲשִׂיןmadeכָּלָהdestructionעִםwithשְׁאָרthe rest ofהָאֻמּוֹת,the nationsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidירמיהוYirmeyahuל'chapter 30"כִּיforאֶעֱשֶׂהI will makeכָלָהdestructionבְּכָלamong allהַגּוֹיִם"the nationsוְגוֹ',etceteraאֵינָןthey are notנִמְנִיןreckonedעִםwithהַשְּׁאָר.the restדָּ"אַanother explanation—כְּשֶׁהֵןwhen theyשְׂמֵחִיןrejoiceאֵיןthere is noאֻמָּהnationשְׂמֵחָהrejoicingעִמָּהֶם,with themשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"ה'Hashemבָּדָדaloneיַנְחֶנּוּ"will lead himדבריםDevarimל"בchapter 32,וּכְשֶׁהָאֻמּוֹתand when the nationsבְּטוֹבָהare in prosperityהֵןtheyאוֹכְלִיןeatעִםwithכָּלeveryאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneוְאֵיןand it is notעוֹלֶהreckonedלָהֶםto themמִןfromהַחֶשְׁבּוֹן,the accountוְזֶהוּand this isובגויםand among nationsלאnotיתחשבit shall reckon itselfתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

מִיWhoמָנָהcan countעֲפַרthe dust ofיַעֲקֹבYaakovוּמִסְפָּרor the number ofאֶת—רֹבַעthe fourth part ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelתָּמֹתMay dieנַפְשִׁיmy soulמוֹתthe death ofיְשָׁרִיםthe uprightוּתְהִיand may beאַחֲרִיתִיmy endכָּמֹהוּ׃like his

רַשִׁ״י

מיWhoמנהhas countedעפרthe dust ofיעקבYaakovוגו'.etc.כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹaccording to its Targum"דַּעְדְּקַיָּאthe infantsדְבֵיתof the house ofיַעֲקֹב",Yaakovמֵאַרְבַּעfrom the fourמַשִּׁרְיָתָאcamps—מֵאַרְבָּעָהfrom the fourדְּגָלִים;bannersדָּ"אַ,Another explanationעֲפַרthe dust ofיַעֲקֹב,Yaakovאֵיןthere is noחֶשְׁבּוֹןcountבַּמִּצְוֹתof the mitzvosשֶׁהֵםthat theyמְקַיְּמִיןfulfillבְּעָפָר,with dust"לֹאdo notתַחֲרֹשׁplowבְּשׁוֹרwith an oxוּבַחֲמֹר"and with a donkeyדבריםDevarimכ"ב22,"לֹאdo notתִזְרַעsowכִּלְאָיִם"mixed seedsויקראVayikraי"ט19,אֵפֶרthe ashes ofפָּרָהthe Red Heiferוַעֲפַרand the dust ofסוֹטָהa sotahוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָהֶםto themתנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

ומספרAnd the numberאת—רבעthe breedingישראל.of Yisraelרְבִיעוֹתֵיהֶן,their matingsזֶרַעoffspringהַיּוֹצֵאthat issuesמִןfromהַתַּשְׁמִישׁthe relationsשֶׁלָּהֶםof theirsעי'seeנדהNiddahל"א31a:

רַשִׁ״י

תמתlet dieנפשיmy soulמותthe death ofישרים.the uprightשֶׁבָּהֶם:who are among them

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidבָּלָקBalakאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamמֶהwhatעָשִׂיתָhave you doneלִיto meלָקֹבto curseאֹיְבַיmy enemiesלְקַחְתִּיךָI took youוְהִנֵּהand beholdבֵּרַכְתָּyou have blessedבָרֵךְ׃blessing

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיַּעַןAnd he answeredוַיֹּאמַרand he saidהֲלֹאis it notאֵת—אֲשֶׁרthat whichיָשִׂיםHe putsיְהוָהHashemבְּפִיin my mouthאֹתוֹitאֶשְׁמֹרI must watchלְדַבֵּר׃to speak

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאֵלָיוto himבָּלָקBalakלךgoלְכָהcomeנָּאpleaseאִתִּיwith meאֶלtoמָקוֹםa placeאַחֵרanotherאֲשֶׁרthatתִּרְאֶנּוּyou may see himמִשָּׁםfrom thereאֶפֶסonlyקָצֵהוּhis edgeתִרְאֶהyou will seeוְכֻלּוֹand all of himלֹאnotתִרְאֶהyou will seeוְקָבְנוֹand curse himלִיfor meמִשָּׁם׃from there

רַשִׁ״י

וקבנוand curse himלי.for meלְשׁוֹןan expression ofצִוּוּי,commandקַלְּלֵהוּcurse himלִי:for me

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיִּקָּחֵהוּAnd he took himשְׂדֵהto the field ofצֹפִיםZophimאֶלtoרֹאשׁthe top ofהַפִּסְגָּהPisgahוַיִּבֶןand he builtשִׁבְעָהsevenמִזְבְּחֹתaltarsוַיַּעַלand he offeredפָּרa bullוָאַיִלand a ramבַּמִּזְבֵּחַ׃on the altar

רַשִׁ״י

שדהThe field ofצפים.Zophimמָקוֹםa placeגָּבוֹהַּhighהָיָהit wasשֶׁשָּׁםthat thereהַצּוֹפֶהthe watchmanעוֹמֵדstandsלִשְׁמֹרto watchאִםifיָבֹאwill comeחַיִלan armyעַלagainstהָעִיר:the city

רַשִׁ״י

ראשThe top ofהפסגה.the PisgahבִּלְעָםBilaamלֹאnotהָיָהwasקוֹסֵםa divinerכְּבָלָק,like BalakרָאָהsawבָלָקBalakשֶׁעֲתִידָהthat in futureפִרְצָהa breachלְהִפָּרֵץwill be breachedבְּיִשָׂרָאֵלin Yisraelמִשָּׁם,from thereשֶׁשָּׁםfor thereמֵתdiedמֹשֶׁה,Mosheכְּסָבוּרhe thoughtשֶׁשָּׁםthat thereתָּחוּלwill fallעֲלֵיהֶםupon themהַקְּלָלָהthe curseוְזוֹand thisהִיאisהַפִּרְצָהthe breachשֶׁאֲנִיthat IרוֹאֶהseeתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakהִתְיַצֵּבstandכֹּהhereעַלbyעֹלָתֶךָyour burnt-offeringוְאָנֹכִיand Iאִקָּרֶהwill be metכֹּה׃yonder

רַשִׁ״י

אקרהI will be metכה.yonderמֵאֵתbyהַקָּבָּ"ה,the Holy One blessed be Heאקרהthe word אקרה—לְשׁוֹןis a form ofאִתְפַּעֵל:passive

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיִּקָּרAnd happened to meetיְהוָהHashemאֶל·בִּלְעָםBilamוַיָּשֶׂםand He placedדָּבָרa wordבְּפִיוin his mouthוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidשׁוּבreturnאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakוְכֹהand thusתְדַבֵּר׃you shall speak

רַשִׁ״י

וישםAnd He putדברa wordבפיו.in his mouthוּמַהand whatהִיאisהַשִּׂימָהthe puttingהַזֹּאת?thisוּמֶהand whatחָסֵרlackedהַמִּקְרָאthe verseבְּאָמְרוֹby its saying"שׁוּבReturnאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakוְכֹהand thusתְדַבֵּר"?you shall speakאֶלָּאRatherכְּשֶׁהָיָהwhen he wasשׁוֹמֵעַhearingשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notנִרְשֶׁהpermittedלְקַלֵּלto curseאָמַרhe saidמָהwhyאֲנִיshould IחוֹזֵרreturnאֵצֶלtoבָּלָקBalakלְצַעֲרוֹ?to distress himוְנָתַןand He placedלוֹfor himהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneרֶסֶןa bridleוְחַכָּהand a hookבְּפִיו,in his mouthכְּאָדָםlike a personהַפּוֹקֵסwho pricksבְּהֵמָהan animalבְּחַכָּהwith a hookלְהוֹלִיכָהּto lead itאֶלtoאֲשֶׁרwhereיִרְצֶה,he desiresאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himעַלagainstכָּרְחֲךָyour willתָּשׁוּבyou shall returnאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakשםthere:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיָּבֹאAnd he cameאֵלָיוto himוְהִנּוֹand behold heנִצָּבwas standingעַלbyעֹלָתוֹhis elevation offeringוְשָׂרֵיand the officers ofמוֹאָבMoavאִתּוֹwith himוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidלוֹto himבָּלָקBalakמַהWhatדִּבֶּרdid speakיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

ושריAnd the princes ofמואבMoabאתו.with himוּלְמַעְלָהand aboveהוּאitאוֹמֵרsays"וְכָלand allשָׂרֵיthe princes ofמוֹאָב",Moabכֵּיוָןas soon asשֶׁרָאוּthey sawשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבּוֹin himתִקְוָהhopeהָלְכוּwentלָהֶםfor themselvesמִקְצָתָםsome of themוְלֹאand notנִשְׁאֲרוּremainedאֶלָּאexceptמִקְצָתָם:some of them

רַשִׁ״י

מהWhatדברhas spokenה'.Hashemלְשׁוֹןan expression ofצְחוֹקderisionהוּאitזֶה,isכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayאֵינְךָyou are notבִרְשׁוּתְךָin your own domainשםthere:

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וַיִּשָּׂאAnd he took upמְשָׁלוֹhis themeוַיֹּאמַרand he saidקוּםariseבָּלָקBalakוּשֲׁמָעand hearהַאֲזִינָהgive earעָדַיunto meבְּנוֹson ofצִפֹּר׃Tzippor

רַשִׁ״י

קוםRise upבלק.BalakכֵּיוָןSinceשֶׁרָאָהוּthat he saw himמְצַחֵקmockingבּוֹ,at himנִתְכַּוֵּןhe intendedלְצַעֲרוֹto distress him—"עֲמֹדStandעַלonרַגְלֶיךָ,your feetאֵינְךָyou are notרַשַּׁאיpermittedלֵישֵׁב,to sitוַאֲנִיand Iשָׁלוּחַam sentאֵלֶיךָto youבִשְׁלִיחוּתוֹon the missionשֶׁלofמָקוֹם"the Omnipresentשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

בנוson ofצפר.Zipporלְשׁוֹןa style ofמִקְרָאScriptureהוּאitזֶה,is thisכְּמוֹlike"חַיְתוֹbeast ofיָעַר"forestתהליםTehillimנ'50"וְחַיְתוֹand beast ofאֶרֶץ"earthבראשיתBereishisא'1,"לְמַעְיְנוֹto a spring ofמָיִם"waterתהיליםTehillimקי"ד114:

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

לֹאNotאִישׁa manאֵלis Godוִיכַזֵּבthat He should lieוּבֶןnor a sonאָדָםof manוְיִתְנֶחָםthat He should relentהַהוּאwould Heאָמַרsayוְלֹאand notיַעֲשֶׂהdoוְדִבֶּרor speakוְלֹאand notיְקִימֶנָּה׃fulfill it

רַשִׁ״י

לאNotאישa manוגו'.etc.כְּבָרAlreadyנִשְׁבַּעHe sworeלָהֶםto themלַהֲבִיאָםto bring themוּלְהוֹרִישָׁםand to give themאֶרֶץthe land ofשִׁבְעָהthe sevenאֻמּוֹתnationsוְאַתָּהand youסָבוּרthinkלַהֲמִיתָםto slay themבַּמִּדְבָּר?:in the wilderness

רַשִׁ״י

ההואHath thatאמרHe saidוגו'.etc.בִּלְשׁוֹןin the form ofתֵּמַהּ,a questionוְתַרְגּוּמוֹand its translationוְתָיְבִיןand they repentוּמִתְמַלְּכִיןand they reconsider—חוֹזְרִיםthey retractוְנִמְלָכִיןand reconsiderלַחֲזֹרto withdrawבָּהֶם:from them

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

הִנֵּהBeholdבָרֵךְto blessלָקָחְתִּיI have receivedוּבֵרֵךְand He blessedוְלֹאand I cannotאֲשִׁיבֶנָּה׃reverse it

רַשִׁ״י

הנהBeholdברךto blessלקחתי.I have receivedאַתָּהyouשׁוֹאֲלֵנִיask me"מַהWhatדִּבֶּרspokeה'?",HashemקִבַּלְתִּיI receivedמִמֶּנּוּfrom Himלְבָרֵךְto blessאוֹתָם:them

רַשִׁ״י

וברךAnd He blessedולאand notאשיבנה.can I reverse itהוּאHeבֵּרֵךְblessedאוֹתָםthemוַאֲנִיand Iלֹאcannotאָשִׁיבreverseאֶת—בִּרְכָתוֹ:His blessing

רַשִׁ״י

וברך.and he blessedכְּמוֹis likeוּבִרֵּךְ,and he blessedוְכֵןand soהִיאit isגִזְרַתthe rule ofרֵי"ש,the letter ReishכְּמוֹlikeתהליםTehillimע"ד74"אוֹיֵבan enemyחֵרֵף"blasphemedכְּמוֹlikeחִרֵּף,blasphemedוְכֵןand soשםthereמ'10"וּבֹצֵעַand the robberבֵּרֵךְ"he blessed—הַמְהַלֵּלone who praisesוּמְבָרֵךְand blessesאֶת—הַגּוֹזֵלthe robberוְאוֹמֵרand saysאַלdo notתִּירָאfearכִּיforלֹאnotתֵעָנֵשׁ,will you be punishedשָׁלוֹםpeaceיִהְיֶהwill beלְךָ,to youמַרְגִּיזangersהוּאheלְהַקָּבָּ"ה;the Holy Oneוְאֵיןand there is notלוֹמַרto sayברךberechשֵׁםa nounדָּבָר,·שֶׁאִםfor ifכֵּןsoהָיָהit would beנָקוּדvoweledבְּפַתָּ"חwith a patachקָטָןsmallוְטַעְמוֹand its accentלְמַעְלָה,aboveאֲבָלbutלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isלְשׁוֹןan expression ofפִּעֵל,Pielהוּאitנָקוּדis voweledקָמָץwith a kamatzקָטָןsmallוְטַעְמוֹand its accentלְמַטָּה:below

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

לֹאNotהִבִּיטHe beheldאָוֶןiniquityבְּיַעֲקֹבin Yaakovוְלֹאand notרָאָהHe sawעָמָלperversenessבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלin YisraelיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהָיוhis Godעִמּוֹis with himוּתְרוּעַתand the friendship ofמֶלֶךְa Kingבּוֹ׃is in him

רַשִׁ״י

לאHe has notהביטbeheldאוןiniquityביעקבin Yaakovוגו'.etc.כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ;according to its TargumדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanationאַחֲרֵיaccording toפְשׁוּטוֹits plain senseהוּאitנִדְרָשׁis expoundedמִדְרָשׁan expositionנָאֶהbeautiful—

רַשִׁ״י

לאHe does notהביט.look atהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneאוןiniquityשֶׁבְּיַעֲקֹבwhich is in Yaakov—כְּשֶׁהֵןwhen theyעוֹבְרִיןtransgressעַל·דְּבָרָיוHis wordsאֵינוֹHe is notמְדַקְדֵּקexactingאַחֲרֵיהֶםafter themלְהִתְבּוֹנֵןto pay regardבְּאוֹנִיּוֹתto the iniquitiesשֶׁלָּהֶםof theirsוַעֲמָלָןand their sinשֶׁהֵןthat theyעוֹבְרִיןtransgressעַל·דָּתוֹ:His law

רַשִׁ״י

עמל.Amalלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofעֲבֵרָה,transgressionכְּמוֹas in"וְהָרָה"and he conceivesעָמָל"transgression"תהליםTehillimז'7,"כִּי"forאַתָּהYouעָמָלtransgressionוָכַעַסand vexationתַּבִּיט"behold"שםthereי'10,לְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָעֲבֵרָהthat the transgressionהִיאisעָמָלa vexationלִפְנֵיbeforeהַמָּקוֹם:the Omnipresent

רַשִׁ״י

ה'Hashemאלהיוhis Godעמו.is with himאֲפִלּוּeven whenמַכְעִיסִיןthey angerוּמַמְרִיםand rebelלְפָנָיו,before HimאֵינוֹHe does notזָזmoveמִתּוֹכָן:from their midst

רַשִׁ״י

ותרועתand the friendshipמלךof a kingבו.is in himלְשׁוֹןan expression ofחִבָּהloveוְרֵעוּת,and fellowshipכְּמוֹlikeשמואלShmuelבtwoט"וfifteen"רֵעֶהthe friend ofדָּוִד"Dovid—אוֹהֵבthe beloved ofדָּוִד,DovidשופטיםShoftimט"וfifteen"וַיִּתְּנָהּand he gave herלְמֵרֵעֵהוּ",to his companionוְכֵןand soתִּרְגֵּםtranslatedאֻנְקְלוֹסOnkelos"וּשְׁכִינַתand the Shechina ofמַלְכְּהוֹןtheir Kingבֵּינֵהוֹן":is among them

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

אֵלGodמוֹצִיאָםWho brought them outמִמִּצְרָיִםfrom Mitzrayimכְּתוֹעֲפֹתlike the strength ofרְאֵםa wild oxלוֹ׃is to Him

רַשִׁ״י

אלGodמוציאםbrought them outממצרים.from Mitzrayimאַתָּהyouאָמַרְתָּsaid"הִנֵּה"beholdעַםa nationיָצָאwent outמִמִּצְרַיִם",from Mitzrayim"לֹאnotיָצָאdid it go outמֵעַצְמוֹ,of its own accordאֶלָּאbutהָאֱלֹהִיםGodהוֹצִיאָם:brought them out

רַשִׁ״י

כתועפתLike the strength ofראםa wild oxלו.to Himכְּתֹקֶףlike the strength ofרוּםthe loftinessוְגֹבַהּand heightשֶׁלּוֹ,of Hisוְכֵןand similarly"וְכֶסֶףand silver ofתּוֹעָפוֹת"strengthאיובIyovכ"ב22לְשׁוֹןan expression ofמָעוֹזstrengthהֵמָּה,they areוְאוֹמֵרand sayאֲנִיIשֶׁהוּאthat it isלְשׁוֹןan expression of"וְעוֹףand birdיְעוֹפֵף"shall flyבראשיתBereishisא'1—הַמְעוֹפֵףwhich fliesבְּרוּםin the loftinessוְגֹבַהּ,and heightתֹקֶףstrengthרַבgreatהוּאit isזֶה,thisוְתוֹעֲפֹתand the flight ofרְאֵםa wild ox—עֲפִיפַתthe flight ofגֹּבַהּ;heightדָּ"אַ,another explanationתּוֹעֲפוֹתthe strength ofרְאֵםwild oxen—תֹּקֶףthe strength ofרְאֵמִים,wild oxenוְאָמְרוּand saidרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisאֵלּוּthese areהַשֵּׁדִיםthe demonsעי'seeגיטיןGittinס"ח68:

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

כִּיForלֹאthere is noנַחַשׁdivinationבְּיַעֲקֹבin Yaakovוְלֹאand noקֶסֶםsoothsayingבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלin Yisraelכָּעֵתat this timeיֵאָמֵרit is saidלְיַעֲקֹבto Yaakovוּלְיִשְׂרָאֵלand to Yisraelמַהwhatפָּעַלhas wroughtאֵל׃G-d

רַשִׁ״י

כיForלאthere is noנחשenchantmentביעקב.in Yaakovכִּיforרְאוּיִיםworthyהֵםthey areלִבְרָכָה,of blessingשֶׁאֵיןsince there are notבָּהֶםamongst themמְנַחֲשִׁיםenchantersוְקוֹסְמִים:and diviners

רַשִׁ״י

כעתIn due timeיאמרit shall be saidליעקבto Yaakovוגו'.etc.עוֹדAgainעָתִידthere will beלִהְיוֹתto beעֵתa timeכָּעֵתas this timeהַזֹּאתthisאֲשֶׁרwhenתִּגָּלֶהwill be revealedחִבָּתָןHis love for themלְעֵיןto the eyes ofכֹּל,allשֶׁהֵןbecause theyיוֹשְׁבִיןsitלְפָנָיוbefore Himוּלְמֵדִיםand learnתּוֹרָהTorahמִפִּיוfrom His mouthוּמְחִצָּתָןand their placeלִפְנִיםinwardמִמַּלְאֲכֵיof the angels ofהַשָּׁרֵתserviceוְהֵםand theyיִשְׁאֲלוּwill askלָהֶםof themמהwhatפעלwroughtאלGod?וְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhat is saidישעיהוYeshayahuל'chapter 30"וְהָיוּand shall beעֵינֶיךָyour eyesרֹאוֹתseeingאֶת—מוֹרֶיךָ".your Teacherדָּ"אַAnother explanation—יאמרit shall be saidליעקבto Yaakovאֵינוֹis notלְשׁוֹןan expression ofעָתִידfutureאֶלָּאbutלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהֹוֶה,presentאֵינָןthey are notצְרִיכִיןneedingלִמְנַחֵשׁan enchanterוְקוֹסֵם,and a divinerכִּיforבְכָלat everyעֵתtimeשֶׁצָּרִיךְthat is neededלְהֵאָמֵרto be toldלְיַעֲקֹבto Yaakovוּלְיִשְׂרָאֵלand to Yisraelמַהwhatפָּעַלwroughtהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneוּמַהand whatגְּזֵרוֹתָיוare His decreesבַּמָּרוֹם,on Highאֵינָןthey do notמְנַחֲשִׁיםenchantוְקוֹסְמִיםand divineאֶלָּאbutנֶאֱמַרit is toldלָהֶםto themעַלbyפִּיmouth ofנְבִיאֵיהֶםtheir prophetsמַהwhatהִיאisגְזֵרַתthe decree ofהַמָּקוֹם,the OmnipresentאוֹorאוּרִיםUrimוְתֻמִּיםand Thummimמַגִּידִיםdeclareלָהֶםto themתנחומאTanchuma;וְאֻנְקְלוֹסAnd Onkelosלֹאdid notתִרְגֵּםtranslateכֵּן:so

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

הֶןBeholdעָםa peopleכְּלָבִיאlike a lionessיָקוּםit risesוְכַאֲרִיand like a lionיִתְנַשָּׂאit lifts itselfלֹאnotיִשְׁכַּבit lies downעַדuntilיֹאכַלit eatsטֶרֶףpreyוְדַםand the blood ofחֲלָלִיםthe slainיִשְׁתֶּה׃it drinks

רַשִׁ״י

הןBeholdעםa peopleכלביאas a lionessיקוםrisesוגו'.etc.כְּשֶׁהֵןwhen theyעוֹמְדִיןstand upמִשְּׁנָתָםfrom their sleepשַׁחֲרִית,in the morningהֵןtheyמִתְגַּבְּרִיןstrengthen themselvesכְּלָבִיאas a lionessוְכַאֲרִיand as a lionלַחֲטֹףto snatchאֶת—הַמִּצְוֹתthe mitzvos—לִלְבֹּשׁto clotheטַלִּית,tallithלִקְרֹאto readאֶת—שְׁמַעShemaוּלְהָנִיחַand to layתְּפִלִּין:tefillin

רַשִׁ״י

לאHe does notישכב.lie downבַּלַּיְלָהat nightעַלuponמִטָּתוֹhis bedעַדuntilשֶׁהוּאthat heאוֹכֵלconsumesוּמְחַבֵּלand destroysכָּלeveryמַזִּיקdamagerהַבָּאthat comesלְטָרְפוֹ,to prey on himכֵּיצַד?how soקוֹרֵאhe readsאֶת—שְׁמַעShemaעַלuponמִטָּתוֹhis bedוּמַפְקִידand entrustsרוּחוֹhis spiritבְּיַדinto the hand ofהַמָּקוֹם,the Omnipresentבָּאcomesמַחֲנֶהa campוְגַיִסor a troopלְהַזִּיקָם,to harm themהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneשׁוֹמְרָםprotects themוְנִלְחָםand fightsמִלְחֲמוֹתָםtheir battlesוּמַפִּילָםand fells themחֲלָלִיםslainשםthere;דָּ"אַanother explanation—הןbeholdעםthe peopleכלביאas a lionessיקוםshall riseוגו'etc,כְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ:as its Targum

רַשִׁ״י

ודםAnd the blood ofחלליםthe slainישתה.he shall drinkנִתְנַבֵּאHe prophesiedשֶׁאֵיןthat notמֹשֶׁהMosheמֵתwould dieעַדuntilשֶׁיַּפִּילhe would fellמַלְכֵיthe kings ofמִדְיָןMidyandחֲלָלִיםslainוְיֵהָרֵגand would be killedהוּאheעִמָּהֶם,with themשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidיהושעYehoshuaי"ג13"וְאֶתAnd —בִּלְעָםBilaamבֶּןthe son ofבְּעוֹרBeorהַקּוֹסֵםthe soothsayerהָרְגוּslewבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelבַּחֶרֶבwith the swordאֶלamongחַלְלֵיהֶם"their slainעי'seeתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidבָּלָקBalakאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamגַּםAlsoקֹבcurseלֹאdo notתִקֳּבֶנּוּyou shall curse himגַּםalsoבָּרֵךְblessלֹאdo notתְבָרֲכֶנּוּ׃you shall bless him

רַשִׁ״י

גםAlsoקבcurseלאdo notתקבנו.curse themגַםThe alsoרִאשׁוֹןfirstמוֹסִיףaddsעַלuponגַּםthe alsoהַשֵּׁנִיsecondוְגַםand the alsoהַשֵּׁנִיsecondעַלuponגַּםthe alsoרִאשׁוֹן,firstוְכֵןand so"גַּםneitherלִיfor meגַםnorלָךְfor youלֹאnotיִהְיֶה"shall it beמלכיםMelachimאAlephג'Gimel,וְכֵןand so"גַּםalsoבָּחוּרyouthגַּםalsoבְּתוּלָה"maidenדבריםDevarimל"בLamed Beis:

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וַיַּעַןAnd answeredבִּלְעָםBilamוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakהֲלֹאdid I notדִּבַּרְתִּיspeakאֵלֶיךָto youלֵאמֹרsayingכֹּלallאֲשֶׁרthatיְדַבֵּרwill speakיְהוָהHashemאֹתוֹitאֶעֱשֶׂה׃I must do

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details Balak and Balaam's desperate attempts to curse Klal Yisrael, which Hashem repeatedly turns into beautiful brachos. After building seven altars and offering sacrifices at Bamoth-baal, Balaam receives a message from Hashem and proclaims that the Jewish people are a nation dwelling apart, wishing that his own end could be like theirs. When a furious Balak moves him to the summit of Pisgah to try again, Balaam is once more forced by Hashem to declare that Hashem does not change His mind, that there is no magic or divination that can harm Yisrael, and that they rise up with the strength of a lion, leaving Balak begging him to neither curse nor bless them at all.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

Look at how Balak and Bilaam operate in this parsha. They are desperately looking for a crack in the armor of Klal Yisrael. Balak takes Bilaam from place to place, hoping that from a different angle, or by looking at just a small fraction of the people, they will find some merit missing, some vulnerability to exploit. But the Torah reveals the ultimate truth of our existence: "No harm is in sight for Jacob, no woe in view for Israel. The Eternal their God is with them."

This is the secret of our eternity. The nations of the world look at us and try to find our faults, and even the yetzer hara inside us tries to point out our spiritual shortcomings to make us feel distant from Hashem. But Hashem does not look at us that way. When a Yid is connected to Hashem, there is an essential, unbreakable bond. Hashem chooses not to focus on our temporary struggles or flaws; He sees our inner beauty, our neshama, and our deep-seated desire to do His will.

When you go through your day, the yetzer hara will try to convince you that you are too far gone, or that your small mitzvos don't matter because of your faults. Do not listen to that voice. Remember that you belong to a nation that "dwells apart," protected by a love that transcends any accusation. You are a child of the King, and His presence is right there with you.

Today, when you pray or do a mitzvah, do it with the joy and confidence of knowing how precious you are to Hashem. Before you start, say to yourself: "Hashem is with me, He loves me, and He believes in my goodness."