| |
|
For the rabbinic interpreters of the Bible, certain locations were destined for disaster. Peor mountain, facing the Yishimon valley, was one of those places. Balak brings Balaam to Peor in a final attempt to generate a curse. Balaam turns toward the desert and for the third time blesses the Israelites, invoking the (now) famous phrase, "How good are your tents, Jacob." This phrase was subsequently adopted in the daily prayers and is often taught to schoolchildren. Having failed with his prophet, Balak attempts to send Balaam away, but he is unsuccessful and Balaam continues making prophecies regarding the Israelites and other nations. Within these prophecies, another well-known expression, "A star has risen among Jacob," appears (24:17), a phrase that was taken by the Christians to refer to the Messiah. Though no evil befalls the Israelites on account of Balaam, the next narrative describes the Israelites' idolatrous and sexual encounters with the Moabites at Peor, practices that cause the outbreak of a plague. In an act of apparent heroism, Pinchas, the son of Elazar the High Priest, slaughters two of the violators, ending the plague that killed 24,000 people.
|
| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. What are the differences between Balaam's third prophecy and his first two prophecies?
2. Explain the phrase "a star has risen among Jacob" in its context (24:7).
3. Was Pinchas' "act of heroism" justified or was he taking the law into is own hands?
|
|
"Balaam said to them: 'Their G-d detests immorality. The Israelites love linen garments. Let me give you some advice. Set up stalls and place harlots in them to sell them linen.' When the Israelites were eating and drinking and rejoicing and strolling in the market, a harlot would say, 'You are like one of the family; sit down and choose for yourself,' The wine barrels stood by her. She [the seductress] would say, 'Would you like a cup of wine?' As soon as he drank it, the yetzer hara [evil inclination] burned within him and he said to her, 'Yield to me.' She then took her idol out and said to him, 'Worship this!' He said to her, 'Am I not a Jew?' She responded 'What do you care? Moreover, I will not yield until you have repudiated the law of Moses.'"
Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 106b
|
|
 | | Points to Ponder | |
What connection does this midrash establish that is not apparent in the biblical text?
What is the message of the midrash regarding the risk of exposing oneself to compromising situations?
Are the Jewish people today in danger of seduction by outside values?
|
|
|
|