In this week’s Torah reading, Balak, King Balak of Moab retains the sorcerer Balaam to curse the Israelite people. Instead of curses, only blessings come out of his mouth—including prophecies concerning the Messianic redemption. Moabite women entice some of the Israelites to sin, resulting in a plague amongst the Jews. Phinehas zealously kills two of the high-ranking offenders, and the plague comes to an end.
We might well ask the question, why is one of the weekly Torah readings named after a wicked person? Surely, some other more fitting name could have been found in the parsha.
Well, as always, there is a lesson that we can learn from this. It deals with the concept of transformation. Let’s look at the story.
Balak, the king of Moab, is terrified of the approaching Israelite nation, so he pleads with Balaam, a prophet, to curse them.
God tells Balaam not to curse the Israelites, and initially, Balaam is compliant. But eventually the monetary compensation offered was just too great and he insists on going–so God gives him the freedom to choose.
But God lets Balaam know that He disagrees with this choice. He sends an angel to divert Balaam, but only Balaam’s donkey can perceive the angel. Three times, the angel diverts the donkey, and three times, Balaam strikes the donkey. Finally, the donkey has had enough. Astonishingly, he opens his mouth and complains to Balaam about his treatment! Balaam is finally able to see the angel, but he still doesn’t get the message.
When Balaam arrives at Balak’s palace, he is taken, amid much fanfare, to a place where he can view the Israelite people and curse them. But when he opens his mouth to curse them, blessings flow forth instead! In fact his words contain some of the most beautiful praises of Israel in the Torah.
Balaam then goes on to prophecy about the Messianic era (Numbers 24:17-24). There it is written:
24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Num 24:18 Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly.
Num 24:19 And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!”
Num 24:20 Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.”
Num 24:21 And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock.
Num 24:22 Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive.”
Num 24:23 And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this?
Num 24:24 But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction.”
After Balaam’s epic failure to curse the Israelites, he suggests a different strategy: Entice the people to sin with the Moabite women, which will lead them to worship the Baal Peor idol and anger God. The plan is successful, and a devastating plague erupts among the people as a result. Pinchas, the grandson of the Aaron, the high priest, rises up and puts a stop to the physical and spiritual carnage.
You’re probably still wondering why the portion is named “Balak.” The above synopsis doesn’t do Balak any credit; he’s still the evil king who tried to curse the Israelites and then went on to seduce them, causing a horrific plague. Where’s the redeeming quality?
This Torah portion embodies the power of transformation. Balak’s blessings are so profound because they originated as curses. Their transformation is so absolute that they describe the ultimate transformation of the entire world: the era of Moshiach! Even more, Balak himself embodies this very transformation. Jewish tradition teaches that the Biblical figure Ruth, who transformed her own life by attaching herself to the Israelite nation and becoming the great-grandmother of King David, was a direct descendant of Balak. The Moshiach, who in His second coming will usher in the era of ultimate transformation and redemption, is from the lineage of King David. And so, the person charged with transforming the Israelites and the entire world—Moshiach—is a direct descendant of Balak! That’s about the greatest transformation possible.
What’s the message for us? Transforming ourselves and our lives is not easy. And this is especially true when we are dealt a difficulty or a crisis. But it is often the most challenging situations that lead to the greatest gains. When we realize that, instead of submitting to the pressure, we can call on the power that God gives us through His Holy Spirit and use the difficult circumstance for personal growth and development. We can have the most incredible experience of transformation.
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