Community

Torah Portion

Praise Should Not Stop Us
From Correcting Our Failures

the prophets, who reminded our ances-
tors of their failings, and prodded our
people to strive to become better. The
balance provided by those who criticize
and challenge us to improve is necessary
to keep us from complacency and pride.
As in ancient days, we should seek
lthough this week's Torah por-
balance in how we view our community
tion is named for Balak, king
and ourselves. Patriotism and loyalty to
of Moab, it is really about
one's country or clan are laudable, but
Balaam, a prophet, magician
nationalistic fervor without a healthy
and soothsayer.
dose of self-criticism can lead to fanati-
The leaders of Moab and Midian
cism and intolerance.
were wary of the growing multitude of
Pride in American democracy and
wandering Israelites who seemed to be
freedom must not lull us into
encroaching upon their territo-
excusing or tolerating the
ry. Having heard of the .
poverty and injustice that still
Israelites' victory over the
exists in some quarters. Like
Amorites, Balak feared that his
Balaam's praises, we will be led
lands would be overwhelmed
astray if we rely on platitudes
by the traveling hordes. So
alone to define our national
Balak sent for Balaam with a
character; if we do not address
request that he place a curse
our failures as fervently as we
upon the newcomers. Balaam,
embrace our blessings.
who was renowned for the effi-
The same is true in our
cacy of his blessings and his
relationship
with the nation of
RABBI MARLA
curses, agreed to go with
Israel.
As
American
Jews, we
J. FEL DMAN
Balak's messengers, but would
take
great
pride
in
Israel's
to
the
Specia /
not guarantee what his visions
achievements and we sing its
Jewish News
would reveal.
praises, particularly in troubled
After seeking divine insight
times like these, when the
through sacrifices and intro-
forces of Moab and Midian bear down
spection, Balaam proceeded to praise the
upon our people.
people of Israel, rather than curse them.
And yet, the Zionist dream did not
He uttered the words made famous in
end
with the formation of the political
our prayer service: 'Ma tovu ohal.echa
state.
There remain challenges to be
Yaakov, mishkenotecha Yisrael — How
addressed and mistakes that need correct-
goodly are your tents, 0 Jacob, Your
ing. Those who believe Israel can do no
dwellings, 0 Israel!" Balaam's words of
wrong, or who seek to silence the voices
praise for the Israelites were effusive and
of self-criticism, would have us fall into
glowing; his prophecy was surprisingly
Balaam's trap.
accurate.
Such moral certitude without critical
So, it is curious that later tradition
self-awareness will not help us realize our
depicts Balaam as wicked and deceitful,
divine destiny.
and associates him with numerous nega-
As Americans, as lovers of Zion and as
tive characteristics, such as hypocrisy,
Jews,
we must continue to hear the voice
pride and arrogance. Why would one
of the prophets, just as we hear the prais-
who praised Israel so magnanimously be
es of Balaam. Only then will the ancient
condemned by later generations?
prophecy
come true: "How goodly are
It has been suggested that by heaping
your tents, 0 Jacob, Your dwellings, 0
praise upon the Israelites, Balaam actual-
Israel!"
ly tried to undermine their values and
moral fortitude. Convinced that they
had attained perfection, the Israelites
would cease observing the mitzvot and
fail to perceive their continuous need for
How do we speak out about our
self-improvement.
community's faults without
Hence his true desire was to lead the
undermining the strength of its
Israelites astray and cause their downfall.
foundation? How can we take
This might have been the fate of our
pride
in our nation when there are
people had it not been for the rebukes of
so many problems that plague our
society? How do we acknowledge
Rabbi Marla J. Feldman is the assis-
legitimate criticism of Israel while
tant director of the Jewish Community
defending her from unjustified
Council of Metropolitan Detroit and
criticism in the public arena?
executive director of the Michigan
Board of Rabbis.
,04:0W4P;:::":a4V=Zgo.M4W.ZONCIWAINM,WW.

Shabbat Balak:
Numbers 22:2-25:9;
Micah 5:6-6:8.

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