There is a clear parallel between Balak and events in the Book of Exodus. In both narratives, kings (Pharaoh of Egypt and Balak of Moab), alarmed about the success of the Jewish People, conspire to ...

Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its ...

There is a holiday in Judaism known as Yom Kippur. This translates into English as Day of Atonement or Day of Forgiveness. This holiday is most famous for its being a fast day. On this holiday, Jews ...

Yes, I know that this week is Pinchas, but I must return to the second of last week’s two portions, Balak, for what happens there is too relevant to pass by unmentioned. In this famous portion, King ...

Halacha prohibits causing pain to animals. There is a Talmudic discussion as to whether this prohibition stems from Torah or is Rabbinic in origin. (B.M. 32) The consensus of Poskim is צער בעלי חיים ...

Fresh off the heels of the beginning of the conquest of the Biblical Land of Israel, this week’s Parshah, Parshat Balak, begins with the Moabite King Balak [hence the name of the Parshah], taking ...

“Hen Am L’Vadad Y’Shkone…” (from the root BaDaD*). “Behold, it is a nation that shall dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations.” *More on this later. And so, Balaam’s attempted curse comes ...

"God appeared to Bil’am and said, ‘Who are these men with you?’ Bil’am replied to God: ‘Balak, son of Tzipor, King of Moav, has sent them to me [saying]: ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt and ...

Balak is a doozy of a parsha. There are curses and blessings, yet another anti-Semitic ruler and … a talking donkey (not voiced by Eddie Murphy, but by God). This parsha is the perfect example of what ...

There is a clear parallelism between Balak and events in the Book of Exodus. In both narratives, kings (Pharaoh of Egypt and Balak of Moab), alarmed about the success of the Jewish people, conspire to ...