L'zecher nishamos Rav Yochanon Motel ben Rav Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Rav Yehudah Yoseph B"H

The Salant Center



Mussar - A Healing Spirit for the Heart and Soul
AROUND THE SHABBOS TABLEPARSHAS BALAK

A nobleman heard that a doctor in a distant country had formulated an ointment that renders a person invulnerable. Since he often traveled through dark forests, he made his way to the inventor and purchased the ointment. Before leaving for home, he applied the ointment to every part of his body.

On the path home he was attacked by a group of thieves. They fell upon him and beat him from head to toe, but found that he was impervious to their blows. Thinking that their must be a magic spirit protecting their victim they left him and fled in terror.

They were quite shocked when he called out to them and offered them some brandy to drink. They asked him why would he be so kind to them when they had just sought to rob and kill him? He replied, "I went to great trouble and expense to purchase an ointment which renders a person immune to attack. However, I had no way to know if the ointment was effective until your futile efforts to attack me proved that I had not been cheated."

The people of Israel, like the nobleman, presumed that they were immune to all black magic and sorcery, as the verse says (Bamidbar 23:23): "For there is no black magic against Jacob and no sorcery against Israel." Their ancestor, Jacob, had served Laban for 20 years, and during that entire period Laban attempted to cast evil spells on Jacob, but to no avail. Jacob could not be harmed. The descendants of Jacob assumed that they had inherited this same protection, but they had no way of confirming whether they were truly insurmountable.

However, after they saw that not only were Bilaam's vain attempts to curse the people ineffective, even more, his curses were turned into blessings-then they saw living proof that they were just as protected from evil as was their Patriarch, Jacob. Thus the end of the verse says: "In due time it shall be said to Jacob and to Israel: What had HaShem done [for you, i.e., placed His blessing of protection upon you]." The reality of our existence despite 2000 years of exile is a living confirmation that HaShem protects Klal Yisrael. May we walk with confidence and joy, knowing that throughout the ages, HaShem safeguards the people of Israel.
[Based on the parables of the Maggid of Dubno]

TODAY: Feel a sense of tranquillity knowing the we are sheltered by the Divine blessing.

eMussar" Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller and The Salant Foundation

L'zecher nishamos Rav Yochanon Motel ben Rav Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Rav Yehudah Yoseph B"H

The Salant Center



Mussar - A Healing Spirit for the Heart and Soul
PARSHA INSIGHTSTHE SAGES OF MUSSAR

The Torah states: "And Balak the son of Zippur saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites." Israel's defeat of the Amorites was a major military victory. Therefore, all the other nations in the region certainly heard about the downfall of the Amorites If so, why does the Torah single out Balak's seeing: "Balak....saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites"?

The ancient kingdoms believed that victory in battle was not contingent upon superior military capability. Each nation aligned themselves with "forces", i.e., idols or sorcery, which they believed empowered them. It was reputed that the Amorites were allied with the strongest idol and therefore they were considered invincible. Nevertheless, when Klal Yisrael swiftly defeated the Amorite troops, only Balak grasped the true implication. He understood that there is a Supreme Power-and that Klal Yisrael is connected to that force.

Balak then hired Bilaam, an occult master, to invoke powers against Klal Yisrael. He reasoned that since Bilaam was a prophet-albeit of evil-he was connected to HaShem. Therefore, Bilaam should be capable of contending with Moshe.

Despite Balak's strategy, Bilaam proved to be powerless against the Jewish people.

While Balak recognized the omnipotence of HaShem, he did not apply the new information to adjust his own distorted world outlook. He was blind to the implications of his insight because he was consumed with a passion for power and self-indulgence, and thus devoid of any sense of morality. Balak saw HaShem as another force to be exploited for his own benefit. The concept of Divine Service never occurred to him.

How fortunate is Klal Yisrael, for we aspire for Holiness and Purity. The essence of our lives is the service of the Almighty. Therefore, HaShem favors us with mercy and Divine intervention. Thus, He subdues our enemies and helps us grow in righteousness so that we may merit Eternal life.
[Based on the Magid Mesharim of Rav Yoseph Cairo]

TODAY: Reflect that from the time of Avraham the Divine Presence dwells amongst and protects Klal Yisrael.

eMussar" Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller and The Salant Foundation