Parshat Balak 5780
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week’s parsha that Balak hires Bilam in order to curse Bnei Yisrael. He sends messengers to Bilam telling him that his aim is (Chapter 22, Pasuk 6), Ulai Uchal Nakeh Bo V’Argashenu min Ha’Aretz. Perhaps I will be able to defeat them and chase them from their land. As the Medrash Rabbah teaches (20, 7), I will chase them from being able to enter Eretz Yisrael. This was Balak’s goal, and he had no interest in destroying them (see Rashi on pasuk 11).
Later in the parsha, we read that Bilam’s donkey sees an angel holding a sword blocking his path on the road, and veers off the road. Bilam, who doesn’t see the angel, hits the donkey in order to get him back on track. Hashem opens up the donkey’s mouth, and the donkey says to Bilam (Chapter 22, Pasuk 28), Meh Asisi Lecha Ki Hikisani Zeh Shalosh Regalim. What have I done to you that you have hit me now three times?
Rashi comments on the usage of the term Shalosh Regalim to indicate three times, and says that the donkey hinted to Bilam, Atah Mevakesh La’akover Umah Ha’Chogeges Shalosh Regalim Ba’Shanah. Do you think you will be able to uproot the nation which celebrates annually the three festivals? Why is Bnei Yisrael referred to here as Umah Ha’Chogeges Shalosh Regalim? There are many mitzvos Bnei Yisrael keep; why is this mitzvah singled out in this context?
The mitzvah of Aliyah L’Regel, going up to Yerushalayim and bringing sacrifices in the Beis Hamikdash on the festivals, appears in the end of parshat Re’eh. The pasuk says (Chapter 16, Pasusk 16), Shalosh Pe’amim Ba’Shanah Yeira’eh Kol Zechurch es Pnei Hashem Elokecha Ba’Makom Asher Yivchar. The pasuk refers to the Beis Hamikdash as the Makom Asher Yivchar; it is the place Hashem has chosen. And the mitzvah is given to Bnei Yisrael, the nation Hashem has chosen.
The Sfas Emes explains that Hashem was sending a message to Bilam through the mouth of the donkey. Your goal in cursing Bnei Yisrael is to fulfill Balak’s wish of V’Argashenu min Ha’Aretz. You want to prevent them from entering Eretz Yisrael. However, this is an Umah Ha’Chogeges Shalosh Regalim. The fact that Bnei Yisrael were commanded to go up to Yerushalayim and the Beis Hamikdash three times a year is testimony that the land belongs to them. Yerushalayim and the Beis Hamikdash are an inheritance of the Jewish people, and this is a fact you can’t change.
Hashem also puts these words into the mouth of Bilam himself when he is prophesying. He says (Chapter 23, Pasuk 9), Ki Me’Rosh Tzurim Er’enu, U’Me’Geva’os Ashurenu. Bilam says I see them from the tops of the mountains and the peaks. He is referring to the peaks of Eretz Yisrael. These mountaintops and peaks of Eretz Yisrael belong to them. These summits are their natural habitat. This is where they belong and Balak’s plan of keeping them out of Eretz Yisrael cannot happen.
Similarly, in the next pasuk it says, Mi Manah Afar Yaakov; who can count the dust of Yaakov. Rashi teaches that this is a reference to the many mitzvos Bnei Yisrael fulfill through dust. Who can count all the mitzvos Bnei Yisrael accomplish just through dust?
The Sfas Emes learns that this a reference to mitzvos which are not an obligation on the individual, but rather Chovas Karka; obligations on the earth. And as Rav Yehuda teaches in the Gemara in Kiddushin 37A, obligations placed on the individual apply everywhere, but Chovas Karka apply only in Eretz Yisrael. Bilam is emphasizing the fact that Bnei Yisrael were commanded Mitzvos Ha’Teluyos Ba’Aretz which can only be fulfilled in Eretz Yisrael. This once again underscores the fact that Bnei Yisrael belong in Eretz Yisrael and will not be prevented from entering Eretz Yisrael. Who can count all the mitzvos of the earth Bnei Yisrael keep in Eretz Yisrael. And to paraphrase Bilam’s donkey, Bilam says to Balak, do you think you can keep them out of Eretz Yisrael when they are commanded so many mitzvos in Eretz Yisrael. Bnei Yisrael are an Umah Ha’Chogeges Shalosh Regalim Ba’Shanah, and as such belong in Eretz Yisrael. This is their natural inheritance and you won’t prevent this from taking place.
Good Shabbos
Print this article
