A Thought on Parshas Balak
A Thought on Parshas Balak
"...ar'eno v'lo atoh..."
"...I will see him but not yet..."(24:17)
In Bil'aam's visions of the world and its future, he forecasted the fate of many nations and the ascendancy of the Jewish people in times to come. He appears to hold back, however, at some points. Our verse captures his declaration that there are events which will unfold but for which the time has not yet arrived to foretell them.
The Rambam (Igeres Teiman 3) understands this as the Torah prompting us to begin a "count-down" as we await the renaissance of prophecy among us. Through Bil'aam's words, we understand that the moment, the time when this revelation will occur, cannot be pinpointed. "I see it coming but it has yet to happen."
The Rambam outlines for us that we must embrace both realities: we firmly believe in the coming of the moshiach. We also assert and accept that we do not know when this time will come to pass. The tension between the two principles generates a sense of restlessness within the spirit. This is why a Jew proclaims that "although the moshiach may seem to tarry I will wait for him nonetheless at all times knowing that he may come any day."
* * * * *
The Rosh notes that although Bil'aam saw, and accepted, that the end of days would bring salvation to the Jewish people, and a restoration of their spiritual heights, he did not cease his invective and his sardonic outlook towards them. As much as he grasped that we are a blessed nation whose fate is overseen by the One Above, he continued to undermine us.
How telling, writes the Rosh, that HaShem granted wisdom and even prophetic skills to the nations of the world yet they have failed to utilize these gifts for peace and for spiritual ends. Whereas our own great nevi'im offered words of caution and guidance to the other nations, urging them to refine their ways, a prophet such as Bil'aam had his lofty visions but still reverted to vile and hateful plots to destroy HaShem's own people.
I am sending this out early as I prepare to head east for the chasuna of my son. L'chaim, l'simcha u'l'shalom. Good Shabbos. D Fox
"...ar'eno v'lo atoh..."
"...I will see him but not yet..."(24:17)
In Bil'aam's visions of the world and its future, he forecasted the fate of many nations and the ascendancy of the Jewish people in times to come. He appears to hold back, however, at some points. Our verse captures his declaration that there are events which will unfold but for which the time has not yet arrived to foretell them.
The Rambam (Igeres Teiman 3) understands this as the Torah prompting us to begin a "count-down" as we await the renaissance of prophecy among us. Through Bil'aam's words, we understand that the moment, the time when this revelation will occur, cannot be pinpointed. "I see it coming but it has yet to happen."
The Rambam outlines for us that we must embrace both realities: we firmly believe in the coming of the moshiach. We also assert and accept that we do not know when this time will come to pass. The tension between the two principles generates a sense of restlessness within the spirit. This is why a Jew proclaims that "although the moshiach may seem to tarry I will wait for him nonetheless at all times knowing that he may come any day."
* * * * *
The Rosh notes that although Bil'aam saw, and accepted, that the end of days would bring salvation to the Jewish people, and a restoration of their spiritual heights, he did not cease his invective and his sardonic outlook towards them. As much as he grasped that we are a blessed nation whose fate is overseen by the One Above, he continued to undermine us.
How telling, writes the Rosh, that HaShem granted wisdom and even prophetic skills to the nations of the world yet they have failed to utilize these gifts for peace and for spiritual ends. Whereas our own great nevi'im offered words of caution and guidance to the other nations, urging them to refine their ways, a prophet such as Bil'aam had his lofty visions but still reverted to vile and hateful plots to destroy HaShem's own people.
I am sending this out early as I prepare to head east for the chasuna of my son. L'chaim, l'simcha u'l'shalom. Good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 6:32 PM
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