Author: Shlomo Bar-Ayal

Today is the 17th of Tamuz. It is the beginning of the 3 weeks in which we commemorate the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem. The reason that is given for their destruction was that Jews did not behave properly one to the other.

After dealing with the internal problems the Jews were commanded to destroy the Midianite nation. Even though the evil that we visited upon the Jews happened due to their own sinfulness, it did not excuse the actions of Balak.

While Pinchas’s act in killing Zimri was justified, he was disturbed that he had taken a life. The taking of a life, even if justifiable is not something to be taken lightly.

When Pinchas kills Zimri it is because he recognized the cancer within society. He realized that if he did not take action then the Jewish people would be destroyed from within.

We are blessed being “a people who dwell alone”. That means that the Jewish people are an exceptional nation. Our nation is not like other nations that have a shared language and land. We are based on the Torah.

Balaam should have realized that he was on the wrong path when his donkey started talking to him. But he was so determined to curse the Jews that he missed the obvious.

While Balak and Balaam are making their plans to destroy the Jews, the Jews are unaware what is happening. That is because they are under God’s protection.

Why would Balak hate the Jews when they did nothing to him, and would only help? His hatred of what the Jews represent is the answer. He would rather be destroyed than be moral.

This week’s portion ends with the attack on the Jews by Amalek. The question is why the hatred. The answer is that they do not hate the Jews as much as what the Jews represent, morality.

Amalek attacks when he perceives the Jews to be divided and weak. This is true throughout history. Evil does not strike when we are united and strong. They know that they cannot defeat us when we are united in our mission.