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

S

ummer is a time for added
rest, rejuvenation and relax-
ation. Weekend barbecues,
park outings and time in the pool are
all opportunities for fun and enjoy-
ment. Spending time outdoors with
family and friends, basking in the
warm sunlight and fresh air, strength-
ens bonds and creates lasting memo-
ries.
The Jewish calendar,
however, somewhat dimin-
ishes this summer environ-
ment. Starting this Sunday,
with the fast of Shiva Asar
b'Tammuz (the 17th of the
month of Tammuz), and
continuing for three weeks
with the culmination of
Tisha b'Av (the ninth of the
month of Av), our Jewish
people enter a period of
national mourning.
Recalling the breaching of the walls
of Jerusalem on the 17th of Tammuz
during temple times and, three weeks
later, marking the First and Second
Temple's destruction on the ninth of
Av, we remember and reflect upon this
difficult time in our history.
To focus on our communal loss,
weddings are not performed, haircuts
are put off, and there is a gradual
diminishment of additional celebra-
tory practices.
Although we live in the present
and work hard to create a better and
brighter future, our Torah and Jewish
tradition remind us of the need to
recall and learn from the past. On
Pesach, around the seder table, we
recall God's salvation and the events
surrounding the Exodus.
When we kindle the menorah
on Chanukah, we remember the
Maccabees and their stance against
the Greeks and Hellenism. Celebrating
Purim helps us remember the hero-
ism and the courage of Esther and
Mordechai.
Most importantly, we not only
remember, but we also are mandated
to incorporate those lessons and

31 July 2 • 2015

values into our lives. The prophet
Micah, in this week's haftorah, exhorts
the Jewish people to recall how the
Moabite king, Balak, and the sorcerer,
Balaam, conspired to harm the nation
during their sojourn in the desert.
As recorded in our parshah, Balaam
recognized that the Jewish people
would be vulnerable to harm if they
were enticed to act in a sin-
ful manner. Were it not for
the quick action of Pinchas,
the grandson of Aaron, the
plan tragically would have
worked.
The haftorah concludes
with Micah reminding us
to perform justice, love,
kindness and walk humbly
before God. Clearly, by fol-
lowing those dictates, we
indicate that the lesson has
been learned and the neces-
sary corrections from the incident
with Balaam are now set in place.
Each summer, as well, we take
time out from the fun and festivi-
ties to reflect upon the impact of the
Temple's destruction and the exile of
our people. Although uncomfortable,
it forces us to focus on our priorities as
a people.
Through the study of our prophets
and Talmudic and Midrashic texts,
we are able to better understand some
of our national mistakes and failures.
Communal discord, ignoring the
plight of the impoverished and vulner-
able, and a general abandonment of
the dictates of our Torah are some of
the themes that are repeated and high-
lighted.
The challenge is not only to remem-
ber but also to carefully consider how
some of these same issues may still
reflect current reality. By seeking ways
to make amends and rectify our short-
comings, the summer can be used not
only for rest and relaxation, but also
for reconciliation and renewal.

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