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A second attempt is made to curse the Jewish people by viewing them on a smaller, more limited scale, perhaps as individuals. This, too, fails and Bilaam must bless the nation again. Apparently, he second of this week's dou- even the individual Jew is blessed by ble Torah portion deals with . God within the context of the nation. ' the attempt of the non- Finally, Balak, in his frustration, says, . Jewish prophet Bilaam to "Come, I will take you to another place-' curse the Jewish people. perhaps it will be good in God's eyes to Bilaam makes every attempt to fulfill curse the Jewish people for me from .the commission of Balak, the king of there; and Balak took Bilaam Moab, to curse the Jewish peo- to Rosh Peor." (Numbers ple. But he is thwarted in his 23:28) This name Peor is sig- mission and instead "that nificant because it is the name which,G9d puts in my mouth of-idolatry that subse- I rn4rkfeaV:VVionbers 22:38) y.the Moabite and and eilifee different times h aiiite women seductively/ blesses . the Jews. inauCe some Jewish men to This blessing was consicfcl worship. This attempt, then, erect so significant by the tab- to curse the Jews was targeted , .. bi§=that the Talmud (Brebot through the weak and sinful 12b)` declares, "RabbiOhu among them. Even so, this RAB.hot E LIEZER beri7'Zutrosi said that Rabbi attempt again was unsuccess- CO HEN Yehuda ben Zavida said that ful; again Bilaam was forced Specia 1 to the they (the rabbis) sought to by God to bless the Jews. Jewish News establish the portion of Balak Thus, three times the as a part of the recitation of Jewish people vvere blessed Shema (the basic declaration of even by their enemies. First, as a united faith required to be said twice a day) but people and as a single unit; second, the refrained because it would have been an smaller unit, perhaps the factional or undue burden upon the people." individual level; and finally, the Jewish The Talmud indicates the reason for people were blessed even through the its required daily recitation would have weakest, most non-committed among been because these verses proclaim the them. The Jewish people became and special protective relationship between remained chosen and blessed by God. God and His people Israel. Actually, it We are a nation in which each indi , is, in fact, traditional practice to begin vidual — even the sinner (for ultimately the morning service every day with the aren't we all?) — is a source of blessing verses of Bilaam's blessing of Mah tom, and sanctity. We remain a nation that "How goodly are thy tents, 0 Israel." even our enemies acknowledge is differ- (Numbers 24:5) ent, special. The Jews have contributed Why should the blessing of this non- incalculable blessings and benefits Jewish prophet (one, who according to throughout history to all mankind. tradition and as implied by the verses of Imagine our strength and vitality, our this Torah portion, hated the Jews and sanctity and blessing, our potential for sought their destruction) be held in such greatness and goodness if we truly were high esteem and be considered so funda- "camped together" in unity, solidarity mentally important by the rabbis? and mutual respect and concern. IT Three different times, from three dif- ferent locations, Bilaam attempts to curse the Jewish people and instead must bless them. After his first failure, Bilaam is told by Balak, "Come with me Why were the Jews chosen by to another place from where you can see God? How are they holy and it (the Jewish people); however, only blessed? Are the Jewish people part of it will you see; you will not see truly different? Why have we been the whole of it and curse it for me from hated and persecuted throughout there." (Numbers 23:13) It seems that history? Are the attitudes of non- the view of the entire nation camped Jews toward Jews improving? Why together in unity was thought by Balak or why not? Shabbat Chukat-Balak: Numbers 19:1-25:9; Micah 5:6-6:8. T1 Conversations Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of Accents in Needlepoint 626-3042 Orchard Mall In Our Unity There Is Strength Congregation Or Chadash. 248.855.5640 NM. 6900 Orchard Lake Road Suite 205