Translated by Rabbi Chanan Morrison
Parshat Balak
In the parashah of Balak, we find prophetic verses of exquisite beauty, and an inspiring story of God's protection over the Jewish people. But to truly appreciate this Torah portion, one should ponder a remarkable teaching of the Sages.
The Talmud (Berachot 12b) relates that the rabbis contemplated incorporating this reading into the daily prayers, alongside the recitation of the Shema. This is truly an astounding statement. What lesson is contained in the words of Balaam — a villainous prophet, steeped in senseless hatred for the Jewish people — that could possibly compare to the Torah's most fundamental beliefs, as affirmed in the Shema, the centerpiece of Jewish prayers?
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