Weekly Torah portion – בָּלָק – Balak – Balak; Numbers 22:2-25:9; Micah 5:6-6:8
How often do we allow the words of other people to determine our lives? A critical comment, a dismissive remark, or the constant voice of doubt within us can sometimes gain more power over us than truth itself. The weekly portion of Balak deals precisely with this question. At first glance, it tells the story of a king who wants to curse the people of Israel. But on a deeper level, it is about something that concerns every person: the power of words, the voices to which we give credence, and the ability to discover blessing even where others see only a curse. For this very reason, this story is one of the most timeless and relevant sections of the Torah.
In the fourth book of Moses, Bemidbar — Numbers — there is a section that seems to deal with the attempt to curse the people of Israel. Balak, the king of Moab, sees the people of Israel approaching his territory after they have left...
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