No community start suggestion yet.
Why does Rashi (רש"י) say Balaam loved money when he refused Balak's wealth to obey Hashem (ה׳)? Rashi's precise language reveals Balaam desired "other people's money" - his focus on Balak's specific treasury showed he was calculating and coveting another's assets, not making an abstract statement about spiritual values over materialism.
Rabbi Zweig examines a puzzling Rashi (רש"י) on Parshas Balak regarding Balaam's character. When Balaam tells Balak's second delegation that even if Balak gave him his entire house full of silver and gold, he wouldn't go against Hashem (ה׳)'s will, Rashi derives from this that Balaam loved money. This seems counterintuitive - shouldn't refusing money to obey Hashem be praiseworthy? Rabbi Zweig compares this to positive examples like Reb Yosef ben Kisma in Pirkei Avos who said he wouldn't leave a place of Torah (תורה) for all the wealth in the world, and King Dovid's declaration that Torah is better than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. The key insight lies in Rashi's precise language. Rashi doesn't simply say Balaam loved money, but adds the crucial phrase "u'mechamed mamon acheirim" - he desired other people's money. This distinction reveals the fundamental problem with Balaam's statement. When someone says "no matter how much money you give me, I won't compromise," that demonstrates admirable values. However, when someone specifically focuses on "your money" - the wealth that belongs to another person - it reveals an unhealthy fixation on what others possess.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Parsha
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
Up Next in this Series
Why does Rashi give conflicting descriptions of Israel's leaders in Egypt? The shiur explores how two different leadership styles emerged: those who pushed people to work harder while taking beatings, versus those who simply absorbed punishment to spare their people. The Torah prioritizes the first type - leaders who accomplish things even when unpopular.
Why does the Midrash connect Pharaoh's expulsion of the Jews to the mitzvah of shiluach hakan? The shiur develops a chiddush that Pharaoh's sin wasn't only drowning the children, but the insensitivity of expelling the parents afterward. The deeper analysis reveals that Pharaoh may have valued the Jews greatly and wanted to control them—making his expulsion an act of tremendous cruelty, not liberation.
Why does Moshe respond to the splitting of the sea with shirah rather than praise or thanksgiving? Rashi's use of "al libo" reveals that shirah is an emotional expression—a response of love to love. When Hashem shows personal care, the only adequate response is "I love You too," not mere gratitude or praise, and this principle applies to all relationships.
Parshas Balak 22:18
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Why didn't Noach daven for his generation while Avrohom advocated for Sedom? Noach viewed each person as an independent island responsible only for their own teshuvah. Avrohom understood that all humanity is interconnected through shared perspective and values, making prayer for others both possible and necessary.
