PARASHA 040 BALAK MAIN PAGE
B'midbar/Numbers
22:2–25:9
The name of the Parshah, “Balak,” refers to Balak, king of Moab, and it
is found in Numbers 22:2
Balak, the king of Moab, summons the prophet Balaam to curse the people
of Israel. On the way, Balaam is berated by his donkey, who sees, before
Balaam does, the angel that YEHOVAH sends to block their way. Three
times, from three different vantage points, Balaam attempts to pronounce
his curses; each time, blessings issue forth instead. Balaam also
prophesies on the end of the days and the coming of Moshiach.
The people fall prey to the charms of the daughters of Moab, and are
enticed to worship the idol Peor. When a high-ranking Israelite official
publicly takes a Midianite princess into a tent, Pinchas kills them
both, stopping the plague raging among the people.
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