*The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Donate
Buy in Paperback or Kindle
Buy on Apple Books
Shelishi
- Balaam’s journey:
- Balaam awoke in the morning and saddled his female donkey and traveled with the dignitaries of Moav.
- The angel blocks Balaam’s path three times and he smites his donkey: Hashem’s wrath boiled over the fact that Balaam was traveling to curse the Jews and He therefore positioned an angel with a drawn sword in front of the path that they were traveling. Upon the donkey seeing the angel of G-d with a drawn sword on the road, he circumvented it and went off the road, to the field. Balaam proceeded to hit the donkey to get her back on the road. Again, the angel stood in the path of the donkey by a path in the vineyard. The donkey, upon seeing the angel of G-d, went off to the side of the road which was gated and consequently crushed the foot of Balaam. Balaam once again hit the donkey. Again, the angel stood in the path of the donkey, but this time there was no room for the donkey to circumvent him. The donkey simply stopped and crouched down. Balaam hit the donkey in fury.
- The donkey speaks: Hashem suddenly opened the mouth of the donkey and she began to speak, rebuking Balaam for hitting her. “What have I done to you that you hit me three times?” Balaam replied, “You mocked me; if only I had a sword I would kill you.” The donkey replied “Am I not your donkey that you have ridden from your inception until this day. Have I ever done this to you?” And Balaam replied “No.”
- Hashem reveals the angel: Hashem then opened Blaam’s eyes and he saw the angel with the drawn sword standing on the road. Balaam prostrated himself before him. The angel of G-d chastised Balaam for hitting his donkey three times, telling Balaam that he had stood in the donkey’s way as an impediment, and the donkey saved his life by swerving away. If the donkey would not have swerved away, I would have killed you and let it live. Balaam replied to the angel that he has sinned, and he did not know that the angel was in the way. “Now, if you do not desire me to go then I will turn back.” The angel replied that he may go, although he will only be able to speak the words that he places in his mouth. Balaam continued his travels with the delegation of Balak.
- Balaam arrives:
- Balak heard of Balaam’s imminent arrival and he went to greet him by the border of Arnon. Balak asked Balaam why he had refused to come until now, to which Balaam replied that he is limited and cannot speak anything that Hashem does not place in his mouth.
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 22:21–38
22:21 — Bilaam Sets Out
Q1. Why did Bilaam saddle his own donkey?
A. This teaches that hatred disrupts normal behavior, since he personally did what servants usually do out of eagerness to curse Israel.
Q2. What contrast does Hashem make?
A. Avraham also saddled his donkey with eagerness, but for a mitzvah, showing that good zeal outweighs evil zeal.
Q3. What does “with the Moabite dignitaries” imply?
A. That Bilaam’s intentions were aligned with theirs in wanting to harm Israel.
22:22 — Hashem’s Anger
Q4. Why was Hashem angry if He allowed Bilaam to go?
A. Because Bilaam was going eagerly despite knowing it was against Hashem’s will.
Q5. Why was the angel sent?
A. As an act of mercy, to stop Bilaam from sinning further.
Q6. What do we learn from the two servants?
A. Important people should travel with attendants so they can assist one another.
22:23 — The Donkey Sees
Q7. Why did the donkey see the angel but Bilaam did not?
A. Animals can perceive spiritual things more easily, while humans would be overwhelmed if they constantly saw such realities.
Q8. Why was the angel holding a sword?
A. To show that Bilaam’s approach would lead to death by the sword, matching the way he would eventually die.
22:24–25 — The Narrow Path
Q9. What is “משעול”?
A. A narrow path.
Q10. What happened at this stage?
A. The donkey pressed Bilaam’s leg against the wall, causing him pain, yet he still did not understand.
22:26 — No Escape
Q11. Why did the angel block the path a third time?
A. To symbolize the merit of the three Patriarchs protecting Israel.
22:27–28 — The Donkey Speaks
Q12. Why did the donkey crouch?
A. Because there was no other way to avoid the angel.
Q13. Why did Hashem make the donkey speak?
A. To rebuke Bilaam and show his foolishness.
Q14. What is hinted by “שלש רגלים”?
A. It hints to the three pilgrimage festivals that Israel observes, which Bilaam was trying to destroy.
22:29 — Bilaam’s Reaction
Q15. Why is Bilaam embarrassed here?
A. He claims he needs a sword to kill a donkey while intending to destroy a nation through speech.
Q16. What does “התעללת” mean?
A. It means mockery or humiliation.
22:30 — The Donkey’s Argument
Q17. What did the donkey prove?
A. That it had always been loyal and this unusual behavior must have a reason.
Q18. What happened when Bilaam was questioned?
A. He admitted the donkey was right and had no answer.
22:31 — Bilaam Sees
Q19. What happens when Hashem opens Bilaam’s eyes?
A. He finally sees the angel and bows down in fear.
22:32 — The Angel’s Rebuke
Q20. What does “כי ירט הדרך” mean?
A. The path Bilaam chose was improper and rushed toward wrongdoing.
Q21. What deeper meaning is given?
A. The donkey saw, feared, and turned aside, showing proper reaction unlike Bilaam.
22:33 — The Warning
Q22. What would have happened without the donkey?
A. Bilaam would have been killed and the donkey spared.
Q23. Why was the donkey later killed?
A. To preserve Bilaam’s dignity so people would not mock him.
22:34 — Bilaam Admits
Q24. Why is “I did not know” embarrassing?
A. Because he claimed to know divine knowledge but admits ignorance.
Q25. What argument does Bilaam make?
A. He claims that Hashem sometimes changes instructions, so he is unsure how to proceed.
22:35 — Final Permission
Q26. Why is Bilaam told to go?
A. Because a person is led along the path he chooses.
Q27. What is his restriction?
A. He can only say what Hashem tells him.
Q28. What is hinted about his fate?
A. He will ultimately be destroyed along with those he joins.
22:36–37 — Meeting Balak
Q29. Why does Balak go out to meet Bilaam?
A. He eagerly welcomes him and shows the importance he places on him.
Q30. What did Balak say about honor?
A. He implied Bilaam should have come sooner and that he could greatly reward him, yet this hinted Bilaam would not receive honor in the end.
22:38 — Bilaam’s Declaration
Q31. What does Bilaam admit upon meeting Balak?
A. That he has no real power and can only say what Hashem puts in his mouth.