7 minute read
Mah Tovu (Numbers 22:1–36, 24:2–5
We have skipped a little bit of the book of Numbers. We are now forty years into the time in the Wilderness. The families-of-Israel are moving into position to enter the land of Israel.
The First Bribe
Narrator 1: 22:1 The families-of-Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab—beyond the Jordan—at Jericho. 2 And Balak, the son of Zippor, saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was in great fear of the people, because they were many; Moab was overcome with fear of the families-of-Israel. the elders of Midian: 4 And Moab said to
Moab: This horde will now take over all that is around us…
Narrator 2: time, 5 sent messengers to Balaam the son of Be’or at Petor…saying:
Balak: Narrator 1: Narrator 2: Balaam: Narrator 1: Narrator 2: Narrator 1: So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that Behold, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. 6 Please curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land; for I know that he
whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.
7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for sorcery in their hand; and they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message. 8 And he said to them: Balaam: Sleep here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, what Adonai
So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9 And God came
God: Who are these men with you? Narrator 2: 10 And Balaam said to God:
tells to me. to Balaam and said: Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 “Here, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now, come, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able
to fight against them and drive them out.”
12 God said to Balaam: God: You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they
are blessed. 13 Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of
Balaam: Go to your own land, for Adonai has refused to let me go with you. Balak: 14 So the princes of Moab got up and went to Balak, and said:
Elders: Balaam refuses to come with us.
The Second Bribe
Narrator 2: Princes: Narrator 1: Balaam: Narrator 2: Narrator 1: 15 Once again Balak sent princes. They were more in number and more honorable than before. 16 They came to Balaam and said
to him: Balak the son of Zippor says: “Let nothing keep you from coming to me; 17 for I will definitely do you great honor, and whatever you
say to me I will do; come, curse this people for me.” 18 But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak: Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of Adonai, my God, to do less or more. 19 Please stay here tonight so that I may know what more
Adonai will say to me.
20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him: God: Since the men have come to call you, get up, go with them; but do Balaam Travels
only what I tell you to do. 21 Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God got angry because he went. The angel of Adonai stood in his way to oppose him. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the angel of Adonai standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the road and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. 24 Then the angel of Adonai stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of Adonai she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of Adonai went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of Adonai she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck
Balak knew that Moses was a famous orator. He hired Balaam to defeat him, because Balaam was famous. He thought Israel’s power was in Moses’ words. He was wrong. To show him that, God turned a donkey into a great orator, too. (Imrei Kohen) Does God have a sense of humor? the donkey with his staff.
28 Then Adonai
Narrator 2: Narrator 1: Narrator 1: Angel: Narrator 2:
opened the mouth of the donkey, and
she said to Balaam: Donkey: What did I do to you that you have hit me
three times?
29 And Balaam said to the donkey: Balaam: Because you have made fun of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I
would kill you. 30 And the donkey said to Balaam:
Donkey: Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have Narrator 2: And he said:
Balaam: No. I ever done to you before? 31 Then Adonai opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of Adonai standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell on his face. 32 And the angel of Adonai said to
him: Why have you hit your donkey three times? Here, I have come forward to stop you, because you are doing the wrong thing before me; 33 and the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, right now I would have killed
you and let her live. 34 Then Balaam said to the angel of Adonai:
Balaam: I have sinned. I did not know that you Narrator 1: Narrator 2:
Balaam: stood in the road to stop me. Now if it is
35 The angel of Adonai said to Balaam: Angel: Go with the men; but only say the words
evil in your sight, I will go back. that I tell you to say. So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak. 36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the boundary formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the boundary… 24:2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel encamping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, 3 and he took up his speech, and
Balaam’s Curse Becomes a Blessing
said:
The speaking of Balaam the son of Beor, the speaking of the man whose eyes are opened, 4 the speaking of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the High One, falling down, but having his eyes uncovered: :5 How good are your tents, Jacob, your
encampments, Israel!
How good are your tents, Jacob, your encampments, Israel! (Numbers 24.5)
Tents are the way you look. This is their connection to Jacob. Encampments are what’s inside. This is their connection to Israel. (Ba’al Shem Tov)
What are some of the differences between your outside and your inside? 123
Experiences
Do one of these things.
Interviews
Imagine you are a reporter. • Ask Balaam, “Why does God listen to you?” • Ask Balak, “Why did you want Balaam to curse Israel? Why not just fight them?” • Ask God, “Why did you let Balaam go to Balak and try to curse?” • Ask the donkey, “Why did you wait so long to start talking?”
Make a Model of the Israelite Camp
There is a midrash that what made Israel’s tents appear “goodly” was the fact that they were set up so that no tent looked into another tent. Design the Israelite camp. Put the Tabernacle in the center. You’ve got some research to do before you start to build.
Debate Entering the Land
Some Jews (ten spies) wanted to abandon the land of Israel. Some Jews (two spies) wanted to go ahead and conquer the land of Israel. Stage the debate.
