Shishi
Balaam’s third set of blessings:
- Balak took Balaam to a third area from which to try to curse the Jewish people from there. Balak took Balaam to the area called Rosh Peor.
- The sacrifices: Balaam instructed Balak to build seven altars and bring seven cows and rams as sacrifices. Balak did as he was instructed and offered the sacrifices on the altar. Balaam saw that Hashem desires to bless the Jewish people and therefore did not go as he did the previous times, and he faced the desert. Balaam saw the Jewish people’s encampment in accordance to tribe and he received the spirit of Hashem and began his third set of blessings:
- The blessings: “Says the man with the closed eye, the one who hears the words of Hashem and sees Him, falling to ground.”
- “How good are the tents of Yaakov, the dwelling places of Israel. They are like streams and gardens and like cedars by water. Water flows from his buckets and his seed is abundant.”
- “His king will be exalted over Agag.”
- “Hashem, who took them out of Egypt will consume their enemies, and their bones He will break and take His portion from the spoils.”
- “They lie like a lion and like a lioness, who can stand them up.”
- “Those who bless them are blessed and those who curse them are cursed.”
- Balak’s response: Balak became enraged with Balaam and clapped his hands and told him “I brought you to curse my enemies and instead you blessed them three times. Now, get out of here and go back to your place. I said I would honor you, but I see Hashem has withheld your honor.” Balaam replied that he already forewarned Balak and his messengers that he must say what Hashem tells him, and that even if he offers him his house filled with gold and silver he cannot transgress the word of Hashem for good or for bad.
Q&A on Rashi
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 23:27–24:13
23:27 — Another Attempt
Q1. Why does Balak try again?
A. He hopes that from a different place Hashem might agree to allow the curse.
Q2. What does “וקבתו לי” mean?
A. It means “you will curse them for me” in the future tense, not a command.
23:28 — Peak of Pe’or
Q3. Why bring Bilaam to Pe’or?
A. Balak foresaw that Israel would later stumble there, but did not understand how and thought the curse might succeed from that spot.
Q4. What does this teach about diviners?
A. They may see visions, but they do not fully understand them.
23:29–30 — Altars Again
Q5. What do they repeat?
A. The same pattern of building seven altars and offering sacrifices.
24:1 — Bilaam Changes Approach
Q6. Why does Bilaam stop using divination?
A. He realizes Hashem wants to bless Israel and will not allow a curse.
Q7. What had he hoped before?
A. That by mentioning Israel’s sins, a curse might take effect automatically.
Q8. What does “turned toward the desert” mean?
A. He looked toward the sin of the Golden Calf to try to find fault.
24:2 — Israel’s Camp
Q9. Why did Bilaam lift his eyes?
A. He intended to cast an evil eye upon them.
Q10. What did he see instead?
A. That the tribes were organized separately and modestly.
Q11. What was special about their tents?
A. Their entrances did not face each other, preserving privacy.
Q12. What happened then?
A. The spirit of God rested upon him and he aligned with blessing, not cursing.
24:3–4 — Bilaam’s Description
Q13. What does “שתם העין” mean?
A. He was blind in one eye.
Q14. Why was he described as “fallen”?
A. When prophecy came, he collapsed because he could not stand upright before the Divine.
24:5 — “How Good Are Your Tents”
Q15. Why are the tents praised?
A. Because of modesty and respect for privacy.
Q16. What else can this refer to?
A. The future Mishkan and Beit HaMikdash, which bring atonement.
24:6 — Blessing Like Nature
Q17. What does “like streams” mean?
A. Israel will grow and spread widely.
Q18. What are “אהלים”?
A. Fragrant plants (aloes/spices), symbolizing goodness.
24:7 — Kingship
Q19. What does abundant water symbolize?
A. Success and flourishing.
Q20. Who is “raised above Agag”?
A. King Shaul, who defeats Amalek.
Q21. What follows his reign?
A. Greater kings like David and Solomon.
24:8 — Power of Hashem
Q22. Who gives Israel strength?
A. Hashem, who brought them out of Egypt.
Q23. What happens to their enemies?
A. They are completely destroyed.
24:9 — Final Blessing
Q24. What does “like a lion” mean here?
A. Israel will dwell securely with strength in their land.
Q25. What promise is repeated?
A. Those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse them will be cursed.
24:10–11 — Balak’s Anger
Q26. How does Balak react?
A. He becomes furious and claps his hands in frustration.
Q27. What does he tell Bilaam?
A. To leave without reward, since he failed.
24:12–13 — Bilaam’s Defense
Q28. How does Bilaam respond?
A. He reminds Balak that he always said he could only speak Hashem’s words.
Q29. Why does he stop saying “my God”?
A. Because he realizes Hashem has distanced Himself from him.