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Why did Hashem (ה׳) give such power to Bilaam to curse or bless? The Mishna lists Bilaam among those excluded from Olam Haba under 'Kol Yisrael yesh lahem chelek l'Olam Haba' - but he's not Jewish. This suggests Bilaam was meant to help build Klal Yisrael by connecting the nations to them, giving the goyim a share in our mission through validation and blessing.
Rabbi Zweig addresses fundamental questions about Parshas Balak: Why did Hashem (ה׳) grant Bilaam such power to curse or bless, and what is the deeper purpose of this entire episode? The analysis begins with a striking observation from the Mishna in Sanhedrin, which states 'Kol Yisrael yesh lahem chelek l'Olam Haba' (All Israel have a share in the World to Come), then lists exceptions including 'arba hedyotot' - four commoners, one being Bilaam. But Bilaam isn't Jewish - why would he be listed under exceptions to 'Kol Yisrael'? This anomaly suggests that Bilaam was meant to have a chelek (share) in Klal Yisrael through his role in building and developing the Jewish people. The Targum Yonasan identifies Bilaam with Lavan, who certainly had a major role in shaping Klal Yisrael - he orchestrated the marriage arrangements that gave us our four mothers and influenced the fundamental structure of the tribes. This indicates that the relationship between Jews and non-Jews in building Klal Yisrael is more complex than simple separation.
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How does the covenant of Arvot Moav differ from earlier obligations? The shiur develops the yesod that this covenant created a new level of unity — not just working for the same Master, but collectively becoming a reflection of Hashem's presence. When Klal Yisrael embraces yichud Hashem as a shared vision rather than individual service, future generations become bound, teshuvah becomes natural, and mutual responsibility reaches the depth of "kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh."
Why was Miriam punished with tzaraas when her criticism of Moshe seemed justified? The shiur develops a yesod based on a Midrash that Miriam's error wasn't lashon hara in the conventional sense — she actually intended to help with a shalom bayis issue — but rather her failure to search out Moshe's unique madrega and recognize that his separation from his wife was a halachic requirement for his level of nevuah, not just a chumra. This reframes the entire mitzvah of "zachor es asher asah Hashem" as an obligation to actively seek out people's hidden ma'alos.
Parshas Balak
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