The Torah relates that 3300 years ago, the non-Jewish prophet Bilaam was hired by Balak, the King of Moav, to curse the Jewish nation. On his way, Bilaam was continually warned by G-d not to go. Bilaam didn’t dismiss Balak’s request to curse the Jews, and Balak tried to manipulate G-d to allow Bilaam to …
Tag: Balak
Jul 14
Outside the Box!
- By Dovid Saks in 5782, Bamidbar
While paying a Shiva visit to my nephew, Rabbi Elchonon Schecter, upon the loss of his mother Miriam, he relayed the following story which captured her creativity in performing her numerous acts of chesed. In the early 1990’s when home computers were rare, the Schecters had a computer and printer in their home giving them …
Jun 24
Sheer Hatred!
- By Dovid Saks in 5781, Bamidbar
The non-Jewish prophet Bilaam was hired by Balak the King of Moav to curse the Jews. At the onset, Bilaam told Balak that he was under G-d’s authority regarding what he can and cannot do. Obviously, it was a long-shot that G-d would empower Bilaam to curse His children the Jewish people. Even so, with …
Jul 02
Dress Up!
- By Dovid Saks in 5780, Bamidbar
As the Jews began the final stretch of their journey towards Israel, they met resistance from the nations that stood between them and the land. At each juncture, Moshe sent messengers to the leaders of the nation for permission to pass through in a peaceful manner. He even gave them an economic incentive, telling them …
Jul 18
He Blew It!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Bamidbar
The Mishna in Ethics of Our Fathers makes a distinction between two figures; our forefather Avraham and the wicked non-Jewish prophet Bilaam. The Mishna tells that a student of Avraham possesses the following three qualities; a good eye, a humble spirit and a gentle soul; whereas a student of Bilaam, possesses an evil eye, an …
Jun 28
Animal Rites!
- By Dovid Saks in Bamidbar
In this week’s Parsha, the Torah describes that Balak, the King of Moav, tried mightily to cajole the non-Jewish prophet Bilaam to utilize his powers to curse the Jews. It wasn’t that Bilaam needed convincing to curse the Jews for he shared the same hatred towards them. The sticking point was that Bilaam had his …
Sep 27
Change
(Torah Portion Balak) Change! The titles of six of the fifty-four portions of the Torah are named after people. Noach, Sarah, Yisro, Korach, Balak and Pinchas. This is certainly an eclectic group of famous people. Yet upon analyzing their personalities, it appears that they share a common thread. They all sought or experienced change; some …
Sep 27
He Was Impressed
(Torah Portion Balak) He Was Impressed A Rabbi walking down the street with his students was passed by a car and a passenger yelled out disparaging remarks towards the Jews. To their surprise, the students overheard the rabbi say to himself, “Thank you.” They asked him why he responded that way to such demeaning epithets. …
Sep 27
Ancestry
(Torah Portion Balak) Esteemed Ancestry A few years ago a lovely couple, Max and Susan Fleischman, began attending a weekly Torah class that I present at Elan Gardens, a wonderful assisted living facility in Clarks Summit, PA. During one of the classes I asked the participants to share with us their Jewish names. When I …
Sep 27
Remarkably Devoted
(Torah Portion Balak) Remarkably Devoted Bilaam was universally recognized as the leading non-Jewish prophet. Although Bilaam communicated with G-d, he was far from being pious and virtuous. Bilaam had an immoral lifestyle and sanctioned immoral behavior in society. How was this possible? After all, Bilaam had a direct communication with G-d. When we examine the …
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Jewish Heritage Connection
Rabbi Dovid Saks, Director
601 Jefferson Ave.
Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 346-1321
Shabbat Candle Lighting Time
Shabbat Times for Apr 19, 2024
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Parshas Metzora
Candle Lighting Time: 11:42 PM
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,
Parshas Metzora
Candle Lighting Time: 11:42 PM
Developed by AdatoSystems.com.
Key features by Hebcal.com.