The Torah is divided into 54 weekly portions (parashyot). 6 of them are named for people. (Noah, Chayeh Sarah, Yitro, Korah, Balak and Pinchas). It is usually considered an honor to have a Torah portion named after somebody. But parasha Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9) is named after a Moabite king who summoned the prophet Balaam to curse the children of Israel. Why would the rabbis have divided the Torah this way and given the honor of naming the Torah portion after this person?
2006-07-25 02:12:31 · 1 answers · asked by leo509 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are somewhat late in asking this - Balak was weeks ago!
It shows that there is the capability of taking even the most evil power and transforming it for the purpose of good. Bilaam was hired to curse Israel, but all he could do is bless Israel. In fact, his prophecies make up the majority of the most explicit preditions of Moshiach found in Torah. His words, "Mah Tovu..." are the first words we say when entering the Synagogue.
Balak did have one good trait - he was honest. He honestly hated Israel and wasn't afraid to cover up that fact with various forms of deciet that we see in anti-semites today.
Balak intended evil against Israel, but ended up being used for great good. Ruth the Moabitess was descended from Balak. King David was descended from Ruth. And Moshiach is descended from King David. So Balak ends up being the ancestor of Moshiach! So in naming the Parsha for Balak, it is named in honor of an ancestor of Moshiach.
2006-07-25 19:35:54 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋