Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this Aliyah, we see the final, desperate attempts of Balak to have Bilaam curse the Bnei Yisrael. Balak takes Bilaam to the peak of Peor, hoping a change of place will bring a change of fortune. However, when Bilaam looks out and sees the beautiful, modest arrangement of the camps of Yisrael, the spirit of Hashem comes upon him. Instead of curses, his mouth is filled with the most beautiful, eternal brachos, praising the tents of Yaakov and prophesying the ultimate downfall of the nations that oppose them.

After Balak sends Bilaam away in a rage, Bilaam delivers one final prophecy regarding the end of days, foretelling the coming of Moshiach and the destruction of Amalek and Edom. Tragically, the Aliyah then shifts to a dark moment in Shittim, where the Bnei Yisrael are enticed by the daughters of Moab into the avodah zarah of Baal-peor, bringing a devastating plague upon the camp until a dramatic act of zealotry is performed.

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

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidבָּלָקBalakאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamלְכָהgoנָּאpleaseאֶקָּחֲךָI will take youאֶלtoמָקוֹםa placeאַחֵרanotherאוּלַיperhapsיִישַׁרit will be rightבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofהָאֱלֹהִיםGodוְקַבֹּתוֹand you will curse himלִיfor meמִשָּׁם׃from there

רַשִׁ״י

וקבתוand you shall curse himלי.for meאֵיןis notזֶהthisלְשׁוֹןan expression ofצִוּוּיcommandכְּמוֹlikeוְקָבְנוֹ,and curse himאֶלָּאbut ratherלְשׁוֹןan expression ofעָתִידfuture—אוּלַיperhapsיִישַׁרit will be rightבְּעֵינָיוin His eyesוְתִקָּבֶנּוּand you will curse himלִיfor meמִשָּׁם,from thereמלדי"רשmaldireבְּלַעַז:in foreign tongue

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookבָּלָקBalakאֶת—בִּלְעָםBilaamרֹאשׁthe peak ofהַפְּעוֹרPeorהַנִּשְׁקָףwhich overlooksעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהַיְשִׁימֹן׃the wasteland

רַשִׁ״י

ראשThe top ofהפעור.Peorקוֹסֵםa soothsayerגָּדוֹלgreatהָיָהwasבָלָקBalakוְרָאָהand he sawשֶׁהֵןthat theyעֲתִידִיןare destinedלִלְקוֹתto be punishedעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofפְעוֹר,Peorוְלֹאbut notהָיָהwas heיוֹדֵעַknowingבַּמֶּה,by whatאָמַרhe saidשֶׁמָּאperhapsהַקְּלָלָהthe curseתָחוּלwill restעֲלֵיהֶםupon themמִשָּׁםfrom thereוְכֵןand soכָּלallהַחוֹזִיםthose who gazeבַּכּוֹכָבִיםat the starsרוֹאִיםthey seeוְאֵינָםbut they are notיוֹדְעִיםknowingמָהwhatרוֹאִיםthey seeסוטהSotahי"ב12b:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidבִּלְעָםBilamאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakבְּנֵהbuildלִיfor meבָזֶהhereשִׁבְעָהsevenמִזְבְּחֹתaltarsוְהָכֵןand prepareלִיfor meבָּזֶהhereשִׁבְעָהsevenפָרִיםbullsוְשִׁבְעָהand prepareאֵילִים׃and seven

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיַּעַשׂAnd didבָּלָקBalakכַּאֲשֶׁרasאָמַרsaidבִּלְעָםBilaamוַיַּעַלand he offeredפָּרa bullוָאַיִלand a ramבַּמִּזְבֵּחַ׃on the altar

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיַּרְאAnd he sawבִּלְעָםBilamכִּיthatטוֹבit was goodבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofיְהוָהHashemלְבָרֵךְto blessאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְלֹאand he did notהָלַךְgoכְּפַעַםas timeבְּפַעַםafter timeלִקְרַאתto meetנְחָשִׁיםdivinationsוַיָּשֶׁתand he setאֶלtowardהַמִּדְבָּרthe wildernessפָּנָיו׃his face

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd he sawבלעםBilaamכיthatטובit was goodוגו'.etc.אָמַרHe saidאֵינִיI am notצָרִיךְneedingלִבְדֹּקto testעוֹדfurtherבְּהַקָּבָּ"ה,the Holy One blessed be HeכִּיforלֹאnotיַחְפֹּץHe desiresלְקַלְּלָם:to curse them

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotהלךhe wentכפעםas timeבפעם.after timeכַּאֲשֶׁרasעָשָׂהhe didשְׁתֵּיtwoפְעָמִים:times

רַשִׁ״י

לקראתto meetנחשים.enchantmentsלְנַחֵשׁto practice enchantmentאוּלַיperhapsיִקָּרֶהwill happen to meetה'Hashemלִקְרָתוֹtowards himכִּרְצוֹנוֹ,according to his wishאָמַרhe saidרוֹצֶהHe wishesוְלֹאor notרוֹצֶהHe wishesלְקַלְּלָם,to curse themאַזְכִּירI will mentionעֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם,their sinsוְהַקְּלָלָהand the curseעַלuponהַזְכָּרַתthe mention ofעֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶםtheir sinsתָּחוּל:will descend

רַשִׁ״י

וישתAnd he setאלtowardsהמדברthe wildernessפניו.his faceכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ:according to its Targum

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיִּשָּׂאAnd he liftedבִלְעָםBilamאֶת—עֵינָיוhis eyesוַיַּרְאand he sawאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelשֹׁכֵןdwellingלִשְׁבָטָיוaccording to his tribesוַתְּהִיand there wasעָלָיוupon himרוּחַthe spirit ofאֱלֹהִים׃God

רַשִׁ״י

וישאAnd he liftedבלעםBilaamאת—עיניו.his eyesבִּקֵּשׁhe wishedלְהַכְנִיסto castבָּהֶםupon themעַיִןan eyeרָעָה,evilוַהֲרֵיand beholdיֵשׁthere areלְךָto youשָׁלֹשׁthree ofמִדּוֹתָיוhis characteristics—עַיִןan eyeרָעָהevilוְרוּחַand a spiritגְּבוֹהָהhaughtyוְנֶפֶשׁand a soulרְחָבָהgreedyהָאֲמוּרִיםwhich are mentionedלְמַעְלָה:above

רַשִׁ״י

שכןdwellingלשבטיו.according to his tribesרָאָהhe sawכָלeachשֵׁבֶטtribeוְשֵׁבֶטand tribeשׁוֹכֵןdwellingלְעַצְמוֹby itselfוְאֵינָןand they were notמְעֹרָבִין,intermingledרָאָהhe sawשֶׁאֵיןthat notפִּתְחֵיהֶםtheir entrancesמְכֻוָּנִיןalignedזֶהthisכְנֶגֶדfacingזֶה,thisשֶׁלֹּאso that notיָצִיץone would peerלְתוֹךְintoאֹהֶלthe tent ofחֲבֵרוֹ:his fellow

רַשִׁ״י

ותהיAnd wasעליוupon himרוחthe spirit ofאלהים.Godעָלָהit aroseבְלִבּוֹin his heartשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְקַלְּלֵם:he would curse them

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיִּשָּׂאAnd he took upמְשָׁלוֹhis parableוַיֹּאמַרand he saidנְאֻםthe word ofבִּלְעָםBilaamבְּנוֹson ofבְעֹרBeorוּנְאֻםand the word ofהַגֶּבֶרthe manשְׁתֻםwhose open isהָעָיִן׃the eye

רַשִׁ״י

בנוhis sonבער.of Beorכְּמוֹlike"לְמַעְיְנוֹto a spring ofמָיִם"waterתהליםTehillimקי"ד114;וּמִ"אַand from Midrashשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themהָיוּwereגְדוֹלִיםgreaterמֵאֲבוֹתֵיהֶם,than their fathersבָּלָקBalakבְּנוֹhis sonצִפּוֹרZippor—אָבִיוhis fatherבְּנוֹhis sonהוּאhe wasבְמַלְכוּת,in royaltyוּבִלְעָםand Bilaamגָּדוֹלgreaterמֵאָבִיוthan his fatherבִּנְבִיאוּתin prophecy—מָנֶהa Manehבֶןson ofפְּרָסa half-Manehהָיָהhe wasסנהדריןSanhedrinק"ה;105תנחומאTanchuma:

רַשִׁ״י

שתםwith the openהעין.eyeעֵינוֹhis eyeנְקוּרָהwas bored outוּמוּצֵאתand extractedלַחוּץto the outsideוְחֹרand the holeשֶׁלָּהּof itנִרְאֶהwas visibleפָתוּחַ,openוּלְשׁוֹןand the language ofמִשְׁנָהMishnahהוּא,it isכְּדֵיsufficient timeשֶׁיִשְׁתֹּםthat he boresוְיִסְתֹּםand stops upוְיִגֹּבand it driesעבודהAvodahזרהZarahס"ט69;וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our Rabbisאָמְרוּ,saidלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאָמַרthat he saidוּמִסְפָּרand the number ofאֶת—רֹבַעthe breeding ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisrael—שֶׁהַקָּבָּ"הthat the Holy Oneיוֹשֵׁבsitsוּמוֹנֶהand countsרְבִיעוֹתֵיהֶןtheir copulationsשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵל,Yisraelמָתַיwhenתָּבֹאwill comeטִפָּהthe dropשֶׁנּוֹלַדfrom which is bornהַצַּדִּיקthe righteous manמִמֶּנּוּ,from itאָמַרhe saidבְּלִבּוֹ,in his heartמִיwhoשֶׁהוּאwho isקָדוֹשׁholyוּמְשָׁרְתָיוand his ministersקְדוֹשִׁיםare holyיִסְתַּכֵּלwould he lookבִּדְבָרִיםat mattersהַלָּלוּ?theseוְעַלand onדָּבָרaccount ofזֶהthisנִסְמַתwas blindedעֵינוֹthe eyeשֶׁלofבִּלְעָםBilamנדהNiddahל"א31;וְיֵשׁand there areמְפָרְשִׁיםwho explainשתםopenהעיןof eye—פְּתוּחַopen ofהָעַיִן,the eyeכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁתִּרְגֵּםtranslatedאֻנְקְלוֹס,Onkelosוְעַלand becauseשֶׁאָמַרthat it saysשְׁתֻםopen ofהָעָיִןthe eyeוְלֹאand notאָמַרit saidשְׁתוּםopen ofהָעֵינַיִם,the eyesלָמַדְנוּwe learnשֶׁסּוּמָאthat blindבְאַחַתin oneמֵעֵינָיוof his eyesהָיָהhe wasסנהדריןSanhedrinק"ה105:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

נְאֻםthe speech ofשֹׁמֵעַone who hearsאִמְרֵיsayings ofאֵלGodאֲשֶׁרwhoמַחֲזֵהa vision ofשַׁדַּיthe Almightyיֶחֱזֶהhe beholdsנֹפֵלfallenוּגְלוּיand with openעֵינָיִם׃eyes

רַשִׁ״י

נפלfallingוגלויand openעינים.of eyesפְּשׁוּטוֹits plain senseכְתַרְגּוּמוֹis like its Targum—שֶׁאֵיןthat notנִרְאֶהHe appearedעָלָיוto himאֶלָּאexceptבַּלַּיְלָהat nightכְּשֶׁהוּאwhen heשׁוֹכֵב;was lying downוּמִדְרָשׁוֹ:and its Midrashכְּשֶׁהָיָהwhen He wasנִגְלֶהrevealedעָלָיוto himלֹאnotהָיָהthere wasבוֹin himכֹּחַstrengthלַעֲמֹדto standעַלonרַגְלָיוhis feetוְנוֹפֵלand he fellעַלonפָּנָיו,his faceלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasעָרֵל,uncircumcisedוּמָאוּסand loathsomeלִהְיוֹתto beנִגְלֶהrevealedעָלָיוto himבְּקוֹמָהin a postureזְקוּפָהuprightלְפָנָיו:before Him

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

מַהHowטֹּבוּgoodly areאֹהָלֶיךָyour tentsיַעֲקֹבYaakovמִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָyour dwellingsיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

מהHowטבוgoodly areאהליך.your tentsעַלbecauseשֶׁרָאָהthat he sawפִתְחֵיהֶםtheir entrancesשֶׁאֵינָןthat they were notמְכֻוָּנִיןalignedזֶהthis oneמוּלoppositeזֶה:this one

רַשִׁ״י

משכנתיך.thy encampmentsחֲנִיּוֹתֶיךָ,thy encampmentsכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ;as its Targumדָּבָרanotherאַחֵר,explanationמהhowטבוgoodly areאהליךthy tents—מַהhowטֹּבוּgoodly areאֹהֶלthe tent ofשִׁילֹהShilohוּבֵיתand the House ofעוֹלָמִיםEternityבְּיִשּׁוּבָן,in their flourishingשֶׁמַּקְרִיבִיןthat they offerבָּהֶןin themקָרְבָּנוֹתsacrificesלְכַפֵּרto atoneעֲלֵיכֶם:for you

רַשִׁ״י

משכנתיך.your Tabernaclesאַףevenכְּשֶׁהֵןwhen they areחֲרֵבִין,ruinedלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהֵןthat they areמַשְׁכּוֹןa pledgeעֲלֵיכֶם,for youוְחֻרְבָּנָןand their destructionכַּפָּרָהis an atonementעַלforהַנְּפָשׁוֹת,the soulsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"כִּלָּהHe spentה'Hashemאֶת—חֲמָתוֹ"His furyאיכהEichahד'four,וּבַמֶּהand with whatכִלָּה?did He spend itשםthere"וַיַּצֶּתand He kindledאֵשׁa fireבְּצִיּוֹן"in TzionתנחומאTanchumaמשפטיםMishpatim:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

כִּנְחָלִיםLike valleysנִטָּיוּthat stretch outכְּגַנֹּתlike gardensעֲלֵיbesideנָהָרa riverכַּאֲהָלִיםlike aloesנָטַעplanted byיְהוָהHashemכַּאֲרָזִיםlike cedarsעֲלֵיbesideמָיִם׃water

רַשִׁ״י

כנחליםas the brooksנטיו.that windשֶׁנֶּאֶרְכוּwhich lengthenוְנִמְשְׁכוּand draw outלִנְטוֹתto extendלְמֵרָחוֹק;into the distanceאָמְרוּsaidרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisמִבִּרְכוֹתָיוfrom his blessingsשֶׁלofאוֹתוֹthatרָשָׁעwicked manאָנוּweלְמֵדִיםlearnמֶהwhatהָיָהwasבְלִבּוֹin his heartלְקַלְּלָםto curse themכְּשֶׁאָמַרwhen he thoughtלְהָשִׁיתto setאֶלtowardsהַמִּדְבָּרthe wildernessפָּנָיו,his faceוּכְשֶׁהָפַךְand when turnedהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentאֶת—פִּיו,his mouthבֵּרְכָםhe blessed themמֵעֵיןcorresponding toאוֹתָםthoseקְלָלוֹתcursesשֶׁבִּקֵּשׁthat he wishedלוֹמַרto sayכו',etcכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְחֵלֶקin ChelekסנהדריןSanhedrinק"ה105בb:

רַשִׁ״י

כאהלים.As aloesכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its Targumלְשׁוֹןan expression of"מֹרmyrrhוַאֲהָלוֹת"and aloesתהליםTehillimמ"הforty-five:

רַשִׁ״י

נטעplantedה'.Hashemבְּגַןin the Garden ofעֵדֶן;Edenלָשׁוֹןan explanationאַחֵרanotherכאהליםlike tentsנטעplantedה'Hashem—כַּשָּׁמַיִםlike the heavensהַמְּתוּחִיןwhich are stretchedכְּאֹהֶל:like a tent

רַשִׁ״י

נטעplantedה'.Hashemלְשׁוֹןan expression ofנְטִיעָהplantingמָצִינוּwe findבְאֹהָלִים,regarding tentsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וְיִטַּעand he shall plantאָהֳלֵיthe tents ofאַפַּדְנוֹ"his palaceדניאלDanielי"אeleven:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

יִזַּלshall dripמַיִםwaterמִדָּלְיָוfrom his boughsוְזַרְעוֹand his seedבְּמַיִםshall be in watersרַבִּיםabundantוְיָרֹםand shall be higherמֵאֲגַגthan Agagמַלְכּוֹhis kingוְתִנַּשֵּׂאand shall be exaltedמַלְכֻתוֹ׃his kingdom

רַשִׁ״י

מדליו.from his bucketsמִבְּאֵרוֹתָיו,from his wellsוּפֵרוּשׁוֹand its explanationכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ:is like its Targum

רַשִׁ״י

וזרעוand his seedבמיםin watersרבים.manyלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהַצְלָחָהprosperityהוּאitזֶהis this—כְּזֶרַעlike seedהַזָּרוּעַthat is sownעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהַמַּיִם:the water

רַשִׁ״י

וירםAnd shall be higherמאגגthan Agagמלכו.their kingמֶלֶךְthe kingרִאשׁוֹןfirstשֶׁלָּהֶםof theirsיִכְבֹּשׁwill conquerאֶת—אֲגַגAgagמֶלֶךְking ofעֲמָלֵק:Amalek

רַשִׁ״י

ותנשאAnd shall be exaltedמלכתו.his kingdomשֶׁלofיַעֲקֹבYaakovיוֹתֵרmoreוְיוֹתֵר,and moreשֶׁיָּבֹאbecause shall comeאַחֲרָיוafter himדָּוִדDovidוּשְׁלֹמֹה:and Shlomo

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

אֵלGodמוֹצִיאוֹWho brought them outמִמִּצְרַיִםfrom Mitzrayimכְּתוֹעֲפֹתlike the strength ofרְאֵםa wild oxלוֹis to HimיֹאכַלHe shall consumeגּוֹיִםnationsצָרָיוHis oppressorsוְעַצְמֹתֵיהֶםand their bonesיְגָרֵםHe shall crushוְחִצָּיוand His arrowsיִמְחָץ׃He shall pierce

רַשִׁ״י

אלGodמוציאוWho brought him outממצרים.from Mitzrayimמִיwhoגוֹרֵםcausesלָהֶםfor themהַגְּדֻלָּהthe greatnessהַזֹּאת?thisאֵלGodהַמּוֹצִיאָםWho brought them outמִמִּצְרַיִםfrom Mitzrayimבְּתֹקֶףwith the strengthוְרוּםand heightשֶׁלּוֹ,of HisיֹאכַלHe will consumeאֶת—הַגּוֹיִםthe nationsשֶׁהֵםwho areצָרָיו:His adversaries

רַשִׁ״י

ועצמתיהם.And their bonesשֶׁלofצָרִים:adversaries

רַשִׁ״י

יגרם.yegaremמְנַחֵםMenachemפָּתַרexplainedבּוֹin itלְשׁוֹןan expression ofשְׁבִירָה,breakingוְכֵןand so"לֹאnotגָרְמוּthey gnawedלַבֹּקֶר"for the morningצפניהZephaniahג'3,וְכֵןand so"וְאֶתand —חֲרָשֶׂיהָits sherdsתְּגָרֵמִי"you shall crunchיחזקאלEzekielכ"ג23,וַאֲנִיand Iאוֹמֵרsayלְשׁוֹןan expression ofעֶצֶםboneהוּא,it isשֶׁמְּגָרֵרthat he scrapesהַבָּשָׂרthe fleshבְּשִׁנָּיוwith his teethמִסָּבִיב,from aroundוְהַמֹּחַand the marrowשֶׁבִּפְנִים,that is insideוּמַעֲמִידand leavesהָעֶצֶםthe boneעַלuponעַרְמִימוּתוֹ:its bareness

רַשִׁ״י

וחציוand his arrowsימחץ.he will pierceאֻנְקְלוֹסOnkelosתִּרְגֵּםtranslatedחֶצְיוֹhis portionשֶׁלofצָרִיםadversaries—חֲלֻקָּהdivisionשֶׁלָּהֶם,of theirsכְּמוֹlikeבראשיתBereishisמ"ט49"בַּעֲלֵיmasters ofחִצִּים"arrows—מָרֵיmasters ofפַּלְגּוּתָא,divisionוְכֵןand soיִמְחָץhe will divideלְשׁוֹןan expression of"וּמָחֲצָהand she dividedוְחָלְפָהand she piercedרַקָּתוֹ"his templeשופטיםShoftimה'5—שֶׁיֶחֱצוּthat they will divideאֶת—אַרְצָם.their landוְיֵשׁand there are thoseלִפְתֹּרto explainלְשׁוֹןan expression ofחִצִּיםarrowsמַמָּשׁliterally—חִצָּיוHis arrowsשֶׁלofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One Blessed Be HeיִמְחַץHe will dipבְּדָמָםin their bloodשֶׁלofצָרִים,adversariesיִטְבֹּלHe will dipוְיִצְטַבַּעand it will be dyedבְּדָמָם,in their bloodכְּמוֹlike"לְמַעַןin order thatתִּמְחַץyou will dipרַגְלְךָyour footבְּדָם"in bloodתהליםTehillimס"ח68,וְאֵינוֹand it does notזָזmoveמִלָּשׁוֹןfrom the expression ofמַכָּה,strikingכְּמוֹlike"מָחַצְתִּי"I woundedדבריםDevarimל"ב32,שֶׁהַצָּבוּעַfor that which is dyedבְּדָםin bloodנִרְאֶהappearsכְּאִלּוּas ifמָחוּץwoundedוְנָגוּעַ:and stricken

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

כָּרַעHe crouchedשָׁכַבhe lay downכַּאֲרִיlike a lionוּכְלָבִיאand like a lionessמִיwhoיְקִימֶנּוּwill rouse himמְבָרֲכֶיךָthose who bless youבָרוּךְare blessedוְאֹרְרֶיךָand those who curse youאָרוּר׃are cursed

רַשִׁ״י

כרעHe crouchedשכבhe lay downכארי.as a lionכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targum—יִתְיַשְּׁבוּthey will settleבְאַרְצָםin their landבְּכֹחַwith strengthוּגְבוּרָה:and might

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיִּחַרAnd flaredאַףthe anger ofבָּלָקBalakאֶלtowardבִּלְעָםBilaamוַיִּסְפֹּקand he clappedאֶת—כַּפָּיוhis handsוַיֹּאמֶרand saidבָּלָקBalakאֶלtoבִּלְעָםBilaamלָקֹבTo curseאֹיְבַיmy enemiesקְרָאתִיךָI called youוְהִנֵּהand beholdבֵּרַכְתָּyou blessedבָרֵךְblessingזֶהtheseשָׁלֹשׁthreeפְּעָמִים׃times

רַשִׁ״י

ויספק.And he clappedהִכָּהhe struckזוֹthisעַלuponזוֹ:this

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְעַתָּהAnd nowבְּרַחfleeלְךָfor yourselfאֶלtoמְקוֹמֶךָyour placeאָמַרְתִּיI saidכַּבֵּדto honorאֲכַבֶּדְךָI would honor youוְהִנֵּהand beholdמְנָעֲךָhas withheld youיְהוָהHashemמִכָּבוֹד׃from honor

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidבִּלְעָםBilamאֶלtoבָּלָקBalakהֲלֹאDid I notגַּםalsoאֶלtoמַלְאָכֶיךָyour messengersאֲשֶׁרwhomשָׁלַחְתָּyou sentאֵלַיto meדִּבַּרְתִּיspeakלֵאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

אִםIfיִתֶּןgivesלִיto meבָלָקBalakמְלֹאthe fullness ofבֵיתוֹhis houseכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldלֹאnotאוּכַלwill I be ableלַעֲבֹרto transgressאֶת—פִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemלַעֲשׂוֹתto doטוֹבָהgoodאוֹorרָעָהbadמִלִּבִּיfrom my heartאֲשֶׁרthat whichיְדַבֵּרwill speakיְהוָהHashemאֹתוֹitאֲדַבֵּר׃I will speak

רַשִׁ״י

לעברto transgressאת—פיthe word ofה'.Hashemכָּאןhereלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרit is said"אֱלֹהַי"my Godכְּמוֹasשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat which is saidבָּרִאשׁוֹנָהat firstכ"ב22י"ח18,לְפִיbecauseשֶׁיָּדַעthat he knewשֶׁנִּבְאַשׁthat he became vileבְּהַקָּבָּ"הto the Holy Oneוְנִטְרַד:and was banished

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְעַתָּהAnd nowהִנְנִיbehold Iהוֹלֵךְam goingלְעַמִּיto my peopleלְכָהgoאִיעָצְךָI will advise youאֲשֶׁרwhatיַעֲשֶׂהwill doהָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּהthisלְעַמְּךָto your peopleבְּאַחֲרִיתin the end ofהַיָּמִים׃the days

רַשִׁ״י

הולךgoלעמי.to my peopleמֵעַתָּהfrom nowהֲרֵינִיbehold I amכִשְׁאָרlike the rest ofעַמִּי,my peopleשֶׁנִּסְתַּלֵּקfor departedהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heמֵעָלָיו:from upon him

רַשִׁ״י

לכהcomeאיעצך.I will counsel youמַהwhatלְּךָfor youלַעֲשׂוֹת,to doוּמַהand whatהִיאisהָעֵצָה?the counselאֱלֹהֵיהֶםthe God ofשֶׁלofאֵלּוּtheseשׂוֹנֵאhatesזִמָּהunchastityהוּאHe isכו',etcכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְחֵלֶקin ChelekסנהדריןSanhedrinק"ו106;תֵּדַעyou can knowשֶׁבִּלְעָםthat Bilamהִשִּׂיאgaveעֵצָהcounselזוֹthisלְהַכְשִׁילָםto cause them stumbleבְּזִמָּה,in unchastityשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdנֶאֱמַרit is said"הֵןbeholdהֵנָּהtheseהָיוּwereלִבְנֵיto the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבִּדְבַרby the word ofבִּלְעָם"BilamבמדברBamidbarל"א31:

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhatיעשהshall doהעםthe peopleהזהthisלעמך.to your peopleמִקְרָאa verseקָצָרshortהוּאitזֶה:is thisאִיעָצְךָI will advise youלְהַכְשִׁילָםto make them stumbleוְאֹמַרand I will sayלְךָto youמַהwhatשֶּׁהֵןthat theyעֲתִידִיןare destinedלְהָרַעto do evilלְמוֹאָבto Moavבְּאַחֲרִיתin the end ofהַיָּמִיםthe days—"וּמָחַץand he shall smashפַּאֲתֵיthe corners ofמוֹאָב";Moavהַתַּרְגּוּםthe Targumמְפָרֵשׁexplainsקֹצֶרthe brevity ofהָעִבְרִי:the Hebrew

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיִּשָּׂאAnd he took upמְשָׁלוֹhis themeוַיֹּאמַרand saidנְאֻםword ofבִּלְעָםBilaamבְּנוֹson ofבְעֹרBeorוּנְאֻםand word ofהַגֶּבֶרthe manשְׁתֻםwhose open isהָעָיִן׃the eye

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

נְאֻםthe speech ofשֹׁמֵעַone who hearsאִמְרֵיsayings ofאֵלGodוְיֹדֵעַand who knowsדַּעַתknowledge ofעֶלְיוֹןthe Most Highמַחֲזֵהa vision ofשַׁדַּיthe Almightyיֶחֱזֶהhe beholdsנֹפֵלfallenוּגְלוּיand with uncoveredעֵינָיִם׃eyes

רַשִׁ״י

וידעand who knowethדעתthe mind ofעליון.the Most Highלְכַוֵּןto determineהַשָּׁעָהthe momentשֶׁכּוֹעֵסthat He is angryבָּהּin itסנהדריןSanhedrinק"ה105b:

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

אֶרְאֶנּוּI see himוְלֹאbut notעַתָּהnowאֲשׁוּרֶנּוּI behold himוְלֹאbut notקָרוֹבnearדָּרַךְhas stepped forthכּוֹכָבa starמִיַּעֲקֹבfrom Yaakovוְקָםand has risenשֵׁבֶטa scepterמִיִּשְׂרָאֵלfrom Yisraelוּמָחַץand he shall smashפַּאֲתֵיthe corners ofמוֹאָבMoavוְקַרְקַרand uprootכָּלallבְּנֵיthe children ofשֵׁת׃Sheth

רַשִׁ״י

אראנו.I see himרוֹאֶהseeאֲנִיIשִׁבְחוֹthe praise ofשֶׁלofיַעֲקֹבYaakovוּגְדֻלָּתוֹ,and his greatnessאַךְbutלֹאnotעַתָּהnowהִיא,it isאֶלָּאratherלְאַחַרafterזְמַן:time

רַשִׁ״י

דרךtreadsכוכב.a starכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its Targumלְשׁוֹןan expression of"דָּרַךְhe bentקַשְׁתּוֹ"his bowאיכהEichahב'two,שֶׁהַכּוֹכָבfor the starעוֹבֵרshoots acrossכְּחֵץ,like an arrowוּבְלַעַזand in Old Frenchדישט"נט,destentכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayיָקוּםwill ariseמַזָּל:good fortune

רַשִׁ״י

וקםAnd there shall riseשבט.a staffמֶלֶךְa kingרוֹדֶהwho chastisesוּמוֹשֵׁל:and rules

רַשִׁ״י

ומחץAnd he shall pierceפאתיthe corners ofמואב.Moavזֶהthis isדָוִדDovidשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרof whom it is saidבּוֹconcerning him"הַשְׁכֵּבmaking them lie downאוֹתָםthemאַרְצָהon the groundוַיְמַדֵּדand he measuredשְׁנֵיtwoחֲבָלִיםlinesלְהָמִית"to put to deathוְגוֹ'etc.שמואלShmuelבIIח'8:

רַשִׁ״י

וקרקר.and underminethלְשׁוֹןan expression ofקוֹרֶה,diggingכְּמוֹas in"אֲנִיIקַרְתִּי"have dugמלכיםMelachimבIIי"ט19,"מַקֶּבֶתthe hole ofבּוֹרthe pitנֻקַּרְתֶּם"you were dugישעיהוYeshayahuנ"א51,"יִקְּרוּהָshall dig it outעֹרְבֵיthe ravens ofנַחַל"the valleyמשליMishleiל'30,פורי"רforerבְּלַעַ"ז:in foreign tongue

רַשִׁ״י

כלAllבניthe children ofשת.Sethכָּלallהָאֻמּוֹת,the nationsשֶׁכֻּלָּםfor all of themיָצְאוּissuedמִןfromשֵׁתSethבְּנוֹthe sonשֶׁלofאָדָםAdamהָרִאשׁוֹן:the first

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וְהָיָהAnd shall beאֱדוֹםEdomיְרֵשָׁהa possessionוְהָיָהand shall beיְרֵשָׁהa possessionשֵׂעִירSeirאֹיְבָיוof his enemiesוְיִשְׂרָאֵלand Israelעֹשֶׂהis triumphantחָיִל׃with strength

רַשִׁ״י

והיהAnd shall beירשהa possessionשעיר.Seirלְאוֹיְבָיוfor his enemiesיִשְׂרָאֵל:Israel

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וְיֵרְדְּand a ruler shall descendמִיַּעֲקֹבfrom Yaakovוְהֶאֱבִידand he shall destroyשָׂרִידthe remnantמֵעִיר׃from the city

רַשִׁ״י

וירדAnd shall ruleמיעקב.from Yaakovוְעוֹדand yetיִהְיֶהthere will beמוֹשֵׁלa rulerאַחֵרanotherמִיַּעֲקֹב:from Yaakov

רַשִׁ״י

והאבידAnd he will destroyשרידa remnantמעיר.from the cityהַחֲשׁוּבָהthe importantשֶׁלofאֱדוֹם,Edomהִיאit isרוֹמִי,Romeוְעַלand regardingמֶלֶךְKingהַמָּשִׁיחַthe Messiahאוֹמֵרhe saysכֵּן,soשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבּוֹconcerning him"וְיֵרְדְּAnd he shall ruleמִיָּםfrom seaעַדtoיָם"seaתהליםTehillimע"ב72"וְלֹאAnd there shall notיִהְיֶהbeשָׂרִידa remnantלְבֵיתof the house ofעֵשָׂו"Esavעוב'Ovadiahי"ח18:

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וַיַּרְאAnd he sawאֶת—עֲמָלֵקAmalekוַיִּשָּׂאand he took upמְשָׁלוֹhis parableוַיֹּאמַרand he saidרֵאשִׁיתThe first ofגּוֹיִםnationsעֲמָלֵקis Amalekוְאַחֲרִיתוֹbut his endעֲדֵיis untilאֹבֵד׃destruction

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd he sawאת—עמלק.Amalekנִסְתַּכֵּלhe lookedבְּפֻרְעֲנוּתוֹat the retribution ofשֶׁלofעֲמָלֵק:Amalek

רַשִׁ״י

ראשיתThe beginning ofגויםnationsעמלק.is Amalekהוּאheקָדַםprecededאֶת—כֻּלָּםall of themלְהִלָּחֵםto wage warבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלagainst Yisrael—וְכָךְand soתִּרְגֵּםtranslatedאֻנְקְלוֹסOnkelos—ואחריתוand his endלֵאָבֵדis to perishבְּיָדָם,by their handשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"תִּמְחֶהyou shall wipe outאֶת—זֵכֶרthe memory ofעֲמָלֵק"AmalekדבריםDevarimכ"ה25:

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וַיַּרְאAnd he sawאֶת—הַקֵּינִיthe Keniteוַיִּשָּׂאand he took upמְשָׁלוֹhis themeוַיֹּאמַרand he saidאֵיתָןStrong isמוֹשָׁבֶךָyour dwelling placeוְשִׂיםand setבַּסֶּלַעin the rockקִנֶּךָ׃your nest

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd he sawאת—הקיני.the Keniteלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat wasקֵינִיthe Keniteתָּקוּעַsettledאֵצֶלnearעֲמָלֵק,Amalekכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is said"וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidשָׁאוּלShaulאֶלtoהַקֵּינִי"the Keniteוְגוֹ'etcשמואלShmuelאIט"ו15,הִזְכִּירוֹhe mentioned himאַחַרafterעֲמָלֵק;AmalekנִסְתַּכֵּלHe lookedבִּגְדֻלָּתָןat the greatnessשֶׁלofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִתְרוֹYisroשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is saidבָּהֶםconcerning themדבהי"אDivrei HaYamim Iב'2"תִּרְעָתִיםTirathitesשִׁמְעָתִיםShimeathitesשׂוּכָתִים"SuchathitesספריSifreiבמדברBamidbarי';10סנהדריןSanhedrinק"ד104:

רַשִׁ״י

איתןFirm isמושבך.your dwelling placeתָּמֵהַּwonderingאֲנִיam Iמֵהֵיכָןfrom whereזָכִיתָyou meritedלְכָךְthisהֲלֹאwas notאַתָּהyouעִמִּיwith meהָיִיתָpresentבַּעֲצַתin the counsel of"הָבָהcomeנִתְחַכְּמָהlet us deal wiselyלוֹ"with themשמותShemosא'1,וְעַתָּהand nowנִתְיַשַּׁבְתָּyou are settledבְאֵיתָןin the strengthוּמָעוֹזand strongholdשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelסנהדריןSanhedrinק"ו106a:

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

כִּיForאִםifיִהְיֶהhe will beלְבָעֵרfor consumingקָיִןKainעַדuntilמָהwhenאַשּׁוּרAsshurתִּשְׁבֶּךָּ׃shall carry you captive

רַשִׁ״י

כיForאםifיהיהwill beלבערto consumeקיןKainוגו'.etc.אַשְׁרֶיךָhappy are youשֶׁנִּתְקַעְתָּthat you fixedלְתֹקֶףto strengthזֶה,thisשֶׁאֵינְךָthat you are notנִטְרָדdriven outעוֹדanymoreמִןfromהָעוֹלָם,the worldכִּיforאַףevenאִםifאַתָּהyouעָתִידare destinedלִגְלוֹתto go into exileעִםwithעֲשֶׂרֶתthe tenהַשְּׁבָטִים,tribesוְתִהְיֶהand you will beלְבָעֵרremovedמִמָּקוֹםfrom the placeשֶׁנִּתְיַשַּׁבְתָּthat you settledשָׁם,thereמַהwhatבְּכָךְ?of it

רַשִׁ״י

עדUntilמהwhatאשורAssyriaתשבך.will captive youעַדuntilהֵיכָןwhereהוּאdoes heמַגְלֶהexileאוֹתְךָ?youשֶׁמָּאperhapsלַחְלַחto Chalachוְחָבוֹר?and Chaborאֵיןthere is notזֶהthisטֵרוּדbanishmentמִןfromהָעוֹלָם,the worldאֶלָּאbut ratherטִלְטוּלwanderingמִמָּקוֹםfrom placeלְמָקוֹם,to placeוְתָשׁוּבand you will returnעִםwithשְׁאָרthe rest ofהַגָּלֻיּוֹת:the exiles

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וַיִּשָּׂאAnd he took upמְשָׁלוֹhis themeוַיֹּאמַרand he saidאוֹיAlasמִיwhoיִחְיֶהcan surviveמִשֻּׂמוֹfrom the placing ofאֵל׃God

רַשִׁ״י

וישאAnd he took upמשלוhis parableוגו'.etc.כֵּיוָןSinceשֶׁהִזְכִּירhe mentionedאֶת—שְׁבִיַּתthe captivity ofאַשּׁוּר,Assyriaאָמַרhe saidאויwoeמיwhoיחיהshall liveמשמוfrom His placingאלthese,מִיwhoיָכוֹלis ableלְהַחֲיוֹתto keep aliveאֶת—עַצְמוֹhimselfמִשּׂוּמוֹfrom His placingאֶת—אֵלֶּהthese—שֶׁלֹּאso that notיָשִׂיםwill placeעָלָיוupon himהַגּוֹזֵרthe Decreerאֶת—אֵלֶּה,theseשֶׁיַּעֲמֹדfor there will ariseסַנְחֵרִיבSannacheribוִיבַלְבֵּלand he will confuseאֶת—כָּלallהָאֻמּוֹת,the nationsוְעוֹדand furtherיָבֹאוּ:there will come

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וְצִיםAnd shipsמִיַּדfrom the side ofכִּתִּיםKittimוְעִנּוּand they shall afflictאַשּׁוּרAsshurוְעִנּוּand they shall afflictעֵבֶרEberוְגַםand alsoהוּאheעֲדֵיuntilאֹבֵד׃destruction

רַשִׁ״י

ציםshipsמידfrom the hand ofכתים.Chittimוְיַעַבְרוּand will passכִתִּיִּים,the Chittimשֶׁהֵןwho areרוֹמִיִּים,Romansבְּבִירָנִיּוֹתin large shipsגְּדוֹלוֹתgreatעַלagainstאַשּׁוּר:Ashur

רַשִׁ״י

וענוand they will afflictעבר.the other sideוְעִנּוּand they will afflictאוֹתָםthemשֶׁבְּעֵבֶרwho are on the side ofהַנָּהָר:the river

רַשִׁ״י

וגםand alsoהואheעדיuntilאבד.destructionוְכֵןand soפֵּרֵשׁexplainedדָּנִיֵּאלDaniel"עַד"untilדִּיקְטִילַתthat was slainחֵיוְתָאthe beastוְהוּבַדand was destroyedגִּשְׁמַהּ"its body"דניאלDanielז'7:

רַשִׁ״י

וצים.and shipsסְפִינוֹתshipsגְּדוֹלוֹת,largeכְּדִכְתִיבas it is writtenישעיהוYeshayahuל"ג33"וְצִיand a shipאַדִּיר",gallantתַּרְגּוּמוֹits Targum translation"וּבוּרְנִיand a shipרַבְּתָא"largeיומאYomaע"ז77b:

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וַיָּקָםAnd aroseבִּלְעָםBilamוַיֵּלֶךְand wentוַיָּשָׁבand returnedלִמְקֹמוֹto his placeוְגַםand alsoבָּלָקBalakהָלַךְwentלְדַרְכּוֹ׃on his way

פָּסוּק ל

Pasuk 30

וַיֵּשֶׁבAnd settledיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבַּשִּׁטִּיםin Shittimוַיָּחֶלand beganהָעָםthe peopleלִזְנוֹתto stray afterאֶלwithבְּנוֹתthe daughters ofמוֹאָב׃Moav

רַשִׁ״י

בשטים.In Shittimכָּךְthusשְׁמָהּ:was its name

רַשִׁ״י

לזנותto commit whoredomאלwithבנותthe daughters ofמואב.Moavעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofעֲצַתthe advice ofבִּלְעָם,Bilaamכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְחֵלֶקin ChelekסנהדריןSanhedrinק"ו106:

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

וַתִּקְרֶאןָAnd they invitedלָעָםthe peopleלְזִבְחֵיto the sacrifices ofאֱלֹהֵיהֶןtheir godsוַיֹּאכַלand ateהָעָםthe peopleוַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּוּand they bowed downלֵאלֹהֵיהֶן׃to their gods

רַשִׁ״י

וישתחווAnd they prostratedלאלהיהן.to their godsכְּשֶׁתָּקַףwhen overpoweredיִצְרוֹhis passionוְאוֹמֵרand he saidלָהּto herהִשָּׁמְעִיsubmitלִי,to meוְהִיאand sheמוֹצִיאָהtook outלוֹfor himדְּמוּתan image ofפְּעוֹרPeorמֵחֵיקָהּfrom her bosomוְאוֹמֶרֶתand sayingלוֹto himהִשְׁתַּחֲוֵהprostrate yourselfלָזֶה:to this

פָּסוּק לב

Pasuk 32

וַיִּצָּמֶדAnd attached itselfיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְבַעַלto BaalפְּעוֹרPeorוַיִּחַרand flaredאַףthe wrath ofיְהוָהHashemבְּיִשְׂרָאֵל׃against Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

פעור.Peorעַלonשֵׁםthe accountשֶׁפּוֹעֲרִיןthat they bareלְפָנָיוbefore itפִּיthe opening ofהַטַּבַּעַתthe anusוּמוֹצִיאִיןand they bring outרְעִי,excrementוְזוֹand thisהִיאisעֲבוֹדָתוֹits serviceסנהדריןSanhedrinס'page 60:

רַשִׁ״י

ויחרAnd was kindledאףthe anger ofה'Hashemבישראל.against IsraelשָׁלַחHe sentבָּהֶםamong themמַגֵּפָה:a plague

פָּסוּק לג

Pasuk 33

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheקַחtakeאֶת—כָּלallרָאשֵׁיthe leaders ofהָעָםthe peopleוְהוֹקַעand hangאוֹתָםthemלַיהוָהbefore Hashemנֶגֶדfacingהַשָּׁמֶשׁthe sunוְיָשֹׁבso that will turnחֲרוֹןthe fierceאַףanger ofיְהוָהHashemמִיִּשְׂרָאֵל׃from Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

קחTakeאת—כלall ofראשיthe heads ofהעם.the peopleלִשְׁפֹּטto judgeאֶת—הָעוֹבְדִיםthose who worshippedלִפְעוֹר:Peor

רַשִׁ״י

והוקעand hangאותם.themאֶת—הָעוֹבְדִים:those who worshipped

רַשִׁ״י

והוקע.And hang themהִיאit isתְלִיָּה,hangingכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁמָּצִינוּwe foundבִּבְנֵיwith the sons ofשָׁאוּלShaul"וְהוֹקַעֲנוּםand we will hang themלַה'"to HashemשמואלShmuelבIIכ״א:ו׳21וְשָׁם6תְּלִיָּהand thereמְפֹרֶשֶׁתhangingסנהדריןis explicitל"דSanhedrin;עֲ"זָ34bבִּסְקִילָהidolatryוְכָלis by stoningהַנִּסְקָלִיןand allנִתְלִיןthose who are stonedסנהדריןare hangedמ"הSanhedrin:

רַשִׁ״י

נגדagainstהשמש.the sunלְעֵיןto the eyes ofכֹּל.allוּמִ"אַ:and Midrashic expositionהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunמוֹדִיעַmakes knownאֶת—הַחוֹטְאִים,the sinnersהֶעָנָןthe cloudנִקְפָּלrolled upמִכְּנֶגְדּוֹfrom before himוְהַחַמָּהand the sunזוֹרַחַתshinesעָלָיו:upon him

פָּסוּק לד

Pasuk 34

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶלtoשֹׁפְטֵיthe judges ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelהִרְגוּslayאִישׁeach manאֲנָשָׁיוhis menהַנִּצְמָדִיםwho attached themselvesלְבַעַלto Baalפְּעוֹר׃Peor

רַשִׁ״י

הרגוkillאישeach manאנשיו.his menכָּלeveryאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneמִדַּיָּנֵיof the judges ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelהָיָהwasהוֹרֵגkillingשְׁנַיִם,twoוְדַּיָּנֵיand the judges ofיִשְֹרָאֵלYisraelשְׁמוֹנַתeightרִבּוֹאmyriadsוּשְׁמוֹנַתand eightאֲלָפִיםthousandsכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְסַנְהֶ'in Sanhedrinדףdafי"ח:18:

פָּסוּק לה

Pasuk 35

וְהִנֵּהand beholdאִישׁa manמִבְּנֵיof the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבָּאcameוַיַּקְרֵבand brought nearאֶלtoאֶחָיוhis brothersאֶת—הַמִּדְיָנִיתthe Midianite womanלְעֵינֵיbefore the eyes ofמֹשֶׁהMosheוּלְעֵינֵיand before the eyes ofכָּלall ofעֲדַתthe congregation ofבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְהֵמָּהand theyבֹכִיםwere weepingפֶּתַחat the entrance ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵד׃Meeting

רַשִׁ״י

והנהAnd beholdאישa manמבניof the children ofישראלYisraelבא.cameנִתְקַבְּצוּgatheredשִׁבְטוֹthe tribe ofשֶׁל·שִׁמְעוֹןShimonאֵצֶלtoזִמְרִיZimriשֶׁהָיָהwho wasנָשִׂיאa princeשֶׁלָּהֶם,of theirsאָמְרוּthey saidלוֹ,to himאָנוּweנִדּוֹנִיןare judgedבְּמִיתָהto deathוְאַתָּהand youיוֹשֵׁבsitוְכוּ'etceteraכִּדְאִיתָאas it isבְּאֵלּוּin theseהֵןareהַנִּשְׂרָפִיןthose who are burnedסנהדריןSanhedrinפ"בchapter:

רַשִׁ״י

את—המדינית.the Midianitish womanכָּזְבִּיKozbiבַתthe daughter ofצוּר:Zur

רַשִׁ״י

לעיניbefore the eyes ofמשה.Mosheאָמְרוּthey saidלוֹ,to himמֹשֶׁה,Mosheזוֹthis oneאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenאוֹorמֻתֶּרֶת?permittedאִםifתֹּאמַרyou sayאֲסוּרָה,she is forbiddenבַּתthe daughter ofיִתְרוֹYisroמִיwhoהִתִּירָהּpermitted herלְךָ,to youוְכוּ',etceteraכִּדְאִיתָאas it isהָתָם:there

רַשִׁ״י

והמהAnd theyבכים.were weepingנִתְעַלְּמָהescapedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himהֲלָכָה,the halachaגָּעוּthey burst outכֻלָּםall of themבִּבְכִיָּה;in weepingבָּעֵגֶלBy the calfעָמַדstoodמֹשֶׁהMosheכְּנֶגֶדagainstשִׁשִּׁיםsixtyרִבּוֹא,myriadsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וַיִּטְחַןand he groundעַדuntilאֲשֶׁרthatדָּק"it was fineוְגוֹ'etceteraשמותShemosל"ב32,וְכָאןand hereרָפוּwere weakיָדָיו?his handsאֶלָּאratherכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיָּבֹאthat should comeפִינְחָסPinchasוְיִטֹּלand takeאֶת—הָרָאוּיthat which is fittingלוֹfor himתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק לו

Pasuk 36

וַיַּרְאAnd he sawפִּינְחָסPinchasבֶּןson ofאֶלְעָזָרElazarבֶּןson ofאַהֲרֹןAharonהַכֹּהֵןthe Kohenוַיָּקָםand he aroseמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofהָעֵדָהthe congregationוַיִּקַּחand he tookרֹמַחa spearבְּיָדוֹ׃in his hand

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd Pinchas sawפינחס.Pinchasרָאָהhe sawמַעֲשֶׂהthe deedוְנִזְכַּרand he rememberedהֲלָכָהthe halacha—אָמַרhe saidלוֹto himלְמֹשֶׁהto MosheמְקֻבַּלְנִיI have receivedמִמְּךָfrom youהַבּוֹעֵלone who cohabitsאֲרַמִּיתwith an Aramean womanקַנָּאִיןzealotsפּוֹגְעִיןstrikeבּוֹ.himאָמַרhe saidלוֹto him"קַרְיָנָאthe readerדְּאִגַּרְתָּאof the letterאִיהוּheלֶיהֱוֵיlet him beפַּרְוַנְקָא",the messengerמִיָּדimmediatelyויקחand he tookרמחa spearבידוin his handוגו'etceteraסנהדריןSanhedrinפ"בchapter two:

פָּסוּק לז

Pasuk 37

וַיָּבֹאand he followedאַחַרafterאִישׁthe man ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֶלintoהַקֻּבָּהthe chamberוַיִּדְקֹרand he stabbedאֶת—שְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themאֵת—אִישׁthe man ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְאֶתand —הָאִשָּׁהthe womanאֶלthroughקֳבָתָהּher bellyוַתֵּעָצַרand was checkedהַמַּגֵּפָהthe plagueמֵעַלfrom uponבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

אלtoהקבה.the tentאֶלtoהָאֹהֶל:the tent

רַשִׁ״י

אלToקבתה.her stomachכְּמוֹlike"וְהַלְּחָיַיִםand the cheeksוְהַקֵּבָה"and the mawדבריםDevarimי"ח18,כִּוֵּןHe aimedבְּתוֹךְintoזַכְרוּתthe male partשֶׁלofזִמְרִיZimriוְנַקְבוּתand the female partשֶׁלָּהּof herוְרָאוּand sawכֻלָּםall of themשֶׁלֹאthat notלְחִנָּםfor nothingהֲרָגָם,did he kill themוְהַרְבֵּהand manyנִסִּיםmiraclesנַעֲשׂוּwere doneלוֹfor himכו',etceteraכִּדְאִיתָאas it isהָתָם:there

פָּסוּק לח

Pasuk 38

וַיִּהְיוּAnd they wereהַמֵּתִיםthose who diedבַּמַּגֵּפָהin the plagueאַרְבָּעָהfourוְעֶשְׂרִיםand twentyאָלֶף׃thousand

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The Aliyah begins with Balak bringing Bilaam to Peor, where they build seven altars and offer sacrifices. Realizing that Hashem desires to bless Yisrael, Bilaam abandons his sorcery and delivers his famous blessing, "How goodly are your tents, O Yaakov." Enraged, Balak dismisses him without pay, but Bilaam prophesies the future redemption and the destruction of Yisrael's enemies before they part ways. The narrative then turns to the tragic downfall at Shittim, where the people sin with Moabite women and worship Baal-peor, prompting Hashem to command Moshe Rabbeinu to execute the leaders. The plague is finally halted when Pinchas, the grandson of Aharon HaKohen, zealously executes a prominent sinner and a Midianite princess, though twenty-four thousand Yidden had already perished.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

Look at the incredible contrast in this parsha, my friends. One moment, we are standing on the mountaintop, hearing the most beautiful, elevated blessings about the holiness of the Jewish home: "How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!" The next moment, the very same people are falling into the lowest depths of Baal-peor, bringing a plague that costs twenty-four thousand lives. How can such a holy nation fall so fast and so hard?

The answer lies in the power of the environment we choose to place ourselves in. When the Jewish people were encamped "tribe by tribe," aligned with their holy values and protected within their modest tents, even the wicked Balaam could not find a single opening to curse them. But the moment they let their guard down, wandered out of their tents, and began to mingle with the daughters of Moab, their spiritual defenses crumbled. The greatest heights of holiness cannot protect us if we willingly walk into a place of spiritual danger.

We often think we are strong enough to handle any environment, that we can look at anything or go anywhere without it affecting our neshama. But the Torah is teaching us a deep lesson in human nature. Our surroundings shape us. If we want to maintain the beauty of "Mah tovu ohalecha," we must protect the boundaries of our homes and our eyes.

Today, make a conscious boundary to protect the holiness of your home. Before you open an app, click a link, or enter an environment that doesn't fit who you truly are, pause and ask yourself: "Does this belong inside the tent of a holy Yid?"