Walk Through the Parsha by Rabbi David Walk

Destiny
Balak - 5768
July 9, 2008
This week's Torah reading seems to be uniquely significant. The Talmud (Babylonian, Berachot 12b and Jerusalem, Berachot 1:5) actually states that our Sages wanted to include this parsha in the daily recitation of Shema. We proclaim the three paragraphs of Shema everyday because we believe that they contain the basic elements of our faith, namely belief in a single God, trust in a system of responsibility for our actions, and faith that God intervenes in history on our behalf as happened in Egypt. Ultimately the Talmud concludes that they didn't incorporate it into our service, because they didn't want to overly burden the community with extra recitations (since when did that stop them?). In other words, this is the part of the Torah which should be read daily, but isn't. Quite a distinction. Anyway my question is: What's the momentous concept which almost makes the big time?

Not surprisingly, it is an argument. In the Babylonian version, it suggests that the important idea is the exodus, and that this section was therefore rejected because the Sages concluded that the paragraph of tzitzit fulfilled that role better. The Jerusalem Talmud gives a slightly different suggestion. It proposes that in the blessings of Bilaam, contained in this week's parsha, the exodus is mentioned along with the Kingdom of Heaven. So, the Jerusalem Talmud nominates this passage (Numbers 23:21 & 22) because it refers to God's power both in this world and in the world to come. Perhaps the Babylonian Talmud demands that our daily prayers should focus us exclusively on this world. It's ironic that many people actually do quote from our parsha every day in the 'How goodly are thy tents o, Jacob' passage, which appears in most prayer books for recitation upon entering the synagogue, but that's not suggested in either Talmud. 

Anyway, I'd like to put forward another candidate for daily recital. Before I give my nomination, I'd like to remind my dear readers of an idea which I have often cited. The Sages chose the haftorot to teach us the most important message in that week's Torah reading. So, in this week's haftorah we refer to the narrative in this week's reading by demanding that we remember how Balak, King of Moab, hired Bilaam to curse us (Micah 6:5). However, I believe that the philosophical connection is the following quote: And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples-like dew sent by the Lord, like torrents of rain upon vegetation that does not hope for any man and does not wait for the sons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples-like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, if it passes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and no one [can] save anything (Ibid. 5:6 & 7). 

These two poetic verses make two powerful points, which I believe can be gleaned from Bilaam's blessings as well. First the scattering of the Jews around the world fertilizes our host nations like dew on the grass. We contribute to the world in amazing ways, from economic development to cultural enrichment to spiritual inspiration. But the second idea is the central one. For us to survive even as only a remnant of our former greatness, we must be lions. This comparison to lions appears in the Bilaam blessings four times. To understand the message of both Bilaam and Micah we must fathom this metaphor.

The verbs employed in the lion references are: rise up, leap, crouch, lie in wait. Normally most of us grow up thinking that the lion is the epitome of c-c-c-courage, but these verses give a slightly different point of view. The Torah seems to demand two strengths from our national lion personality. First we must act with forcefulness when the occasion demands, not just grab opportunities but pounce upon them. However, most of our time is spent lying in wait, watching the situation carefully, and deciding on the most efficacious course of action. Waiting and observing from the bushes isn't inaction; it's the prelude to effective engagement.

I believe that there is a fundamental difference between the lion in the blessings of Bilaam and the lion in the prophecy of Micah. Bilaam appears to be addressing the great nation in its homeland and the height of power. Micah, on the other hand is clearly addressing a later stage in Jewish history when we were a minority struggling against the dominant culture. Then we have to be a 'lion among the beasts'. What are the lion traits under those adverse circumstances? For most of our history we were a struggling survivor trying to stay alive in the ocean of diverse spiritual threats to our continued existence. During those times, our crouching is a slightly different tactic. We are not waiting to pounce on the weaker prey. We are conserving our strength to tenaciously hold on to life.

What principles make up the life saver that we are clutching for dear life? The prophet informs us of those ideas as well. At the end of this week's haftorah are a couple of my favorite verses in out entire Tanach: With what shall I come before the Lord? Shall I come before God with burnt offerings?... Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? God has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord demands of you; but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk discreetly with your God (Micah 6:6-8). The ritual laws are wonderful and instructive, but the essence of our faith is the rules of fairness and decency. However, our lion must have bravery and strength to always keep God and Torah with him as the lion goes through the world, but our lion is camouflaged to blend in with the scenery. He walks humbly, modestly almost invisibly throughout the earth. We are never peacocks; they make too good a target.

Micah reminds us of one more thing. Lions are not numerous. We are a remnant, a small percentage of the population. That shouldn't discourage the lion. We are an endangered species, but protected by the Cosmic Game Keeper, when we abide by these principles.