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Parsha_Push Balak

Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg

We tend to think that people who “understand people” are better, kinder, more moral individuals. We also tend to think that spiritual people, those close to God, will be compassionate and truthful, loving God and loving humanity.
This week’s Torah portion introduces us to Balaam, who is the antithesis of this perception. Balaam is close to God, and therefore thinks he can tell God what to do, misusing this closeness for evil. He will exploit his connection with God to try to influence Him to do his bidding. Initially, the feeling is that Balaam is mistaken and doesn’t know God that well.
Balaam apparently also understands people, which means their weaknesses as well as their strengths. He is not free from weaknesses himself as evidenced by his pursuit of honor and wealth, and occasional anger.
We all have weaknesses. But Balaam’s understanding of the human psyche led him to advise how to “bring down” Israel. Later in the book, we discover that the daughters of Midian who came to entice the Israelites actually came at Balaam’s suggestion. When Balaam identified the weakness of the Israelites towards the daughters of Moab, he already recruited women from Midian to complete the task.
It seems that at this stage, Balaam also reached a greater understanding of the God of Israel. It’s not the sacrifices or the altars that interest Him, but keeping the covenant, loyalty to the Torah and commandments, and national identity. However, this understanding doesn’t lead to obeying God’s voice but rather to harming Israel through his accumulated knowledge.
At the end of the day, even positive traits – connection with God and understanding of people – can be misused. Man’s free will can elevate him higher and higher but at the same time turn a person into a wicked individual.

Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg

Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg

was in the first cohort of the Matan Kitvuni Fellowship program and her book is in the publication process. She has a B.A. in Bible from Hebrew University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. Adina studied in Midreshet Lindenbaum, Migdal Oz, Havruta and the Advanced Talmud Institute in Matan. She currently teaches Bible and Talmud at Matan, and at Efrata and Orot colleges. Adina lives in Adam (Geva Binyamin) with her family.