NO PROFIT FROM “PROPHETS”

Parashat Balak
Torah: Numbers 22:2 - 25:9

Haftarah: Micah 5:6 - 6:8

Tammuz 17, 5782 / July 15-16, 2022

Fast of Tammuz deferred to Sunday - 4:28 AM - 8:26 PM

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This d'var torah is offered in honor of Gwen Wexler and Rabbi Jason van Leeuwen, now married for two weeks and celebrating a Shabbat Chatan-Kallah this Shabbat at Temple B'nai Hayim. Please join us in person or on-line to welcome the newly weds!

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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina, Feigel bat Kreina, and D'vorah bat Feigel.

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Lunch and Learn  meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya’akov. NO meeting on July 19. On July 26, we'll be at Chapter 9 of BT Berakhot 63(b) - "...ת״ר כשנכנסו רבותינו לכרם ביבנה” - "Our Rabbis taught: When our Rabbis entered the academy of Jabne,..." The reading may be found at page 39 of my pagination: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TK74GI6tqBSDugLsQmHTYEAzPqDUJxS0/view?usp=sharing 

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Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com   
 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about becoming a Chaver and our various programs, at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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NO PROFIT FROM “PROPHETS”

“How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel. Like palm groves that stretch out; like gardens beside a river; like aloes planted by the Lord; like cedars beside the water.” Numbers 24:5-6.

The first verse here is the opening of “Ma Tovu”, recited upon entering the synagogue. Together, the verses are a beautiful blessing, or perhaps an observation, offered by the sorcerer-prophet Bil’am (aka Balaam), who had been hired to curse the people of Israel.

Balaam and the angel, painting from Gustav Jaeger, 1836.

The early Hasidic master Yakov Yosef of Polnoye asks, “What is the difference between a true prophet and a false one?” The true prophet, he says, scolds people, telling them of their failings and how they may correct them. Think of Jeremiah or Isaiah.

The false prophet, on the other hand, sweet-talks the people. “You’re wonderful!  Everything is great! Don’t change a thing.” He covers you in honey and cream while preparing to slice you to pieces.

It is precisely because true prophets love the people that they criticize them and demand improvement. Even though Bil’am and others of his ilk (both then and now!) praise the people Israel, they do not sing out of love. They say what they say in order to entice Israel, and prevent the people from reaching the loftiest possible spiritual and moral levels.

Don’t be fooled by false prophets - they'll love you to death.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom - Rabbi Emeritus

Temple B'nai Hayim

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/
Visit me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RabbiRichardFlom 
"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"
"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”
BT Yevamot 88a
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