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Why did Hashem (ה׳) permit Balaam to go with Balak's messengers, then immediately send an angel to stop him? The shiur explores this apparent contradiction through the episode of Balaam's talking donkey. When we stubbornly pursue the wrong path, Hashem provides warning signs — but we often prefer to 'kill the messenger' rather than accept the message.
The shiur examines the puzzling narrative of Balaam and his talking donkey, focusing on what appears to be a fundamental contradiction in Hashem (ה׳)'s behavior. Initially, Hashem gives Balaam permission to go with Balak's messengers, yet immediately afterward sends an angel to block his path, leading to the famous episode where Balaam's donkey begins speaking. Rabbi Holzer questions why Balaam would want to kill a donkey that could miraculously speak — surely such an animal would be worth a fortune. More fundamentally, he addresses the seeming contradiction: if Hashem permitted the journey, why did He then try to prevent it? This leads to a broader theological question about whether Hashem assists people in committing sins.
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Parshas Balak
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