This week we have a double parasha, Chukat-Balak, a parasha where rebellion remains a continued theme unfortunately. In this case we read about the rebellion of the people over their fear of running out of water and food, with some even saying that Moses also rebelled against God regarding the water from the rock. Chukat ends with Israel having victorious battles with three different kings who are not amenable to allowing Israel passage through their territory before Israel would come to the Kingdom of Moab who also feared Israel. The king, named Balak, employees a prophet named Balaam to render a curse upon Israel as they approach. It is here we encounter the story of a donkey, who Balaam rides upon, who speaks to Balaam that in the end instead of a curse would yield a familiar blessing, which says, “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel!”
What about this Donkey, who like the snake in Genesis, speaks with Balaam? Prior to answering that question I’d like to tell you a story about a donkey who also spoke named Albert. In a small village nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain, there lived a peculiar creature—a talking ass, named Albert. Unlike ordinary donkeys, Albert possessed the extraordinary ability to speak and reason. The villagers were both bewildered and intrigued by this exceptional animal. Albert's eloquent and witty remarks made him the talk of the town. People from far and wide would travel to hear him share his wisdom and engage in thought-provoking conversations. His clever insights on various matters brought laughter, inspiration, and sometimes even a change of heart to those who listened.
As Albert grew older, he began to feel a deep sense of purpose. He realized that his gift of speech could be used to uplift others, spreading joy and knowledge throughout the village and beyond. With every word he uttered, Albert aimed to instill kindness, compassion, and understanding in the hearts of his listeners. News of Albert's enchanting gift spread across the kingdom, reaching the ears of a wise and benevolent king. Intrigued by the tales, the king invited Albert to his grand palace, seeking the donkey's wisdom to aid in his ruling decisions. Albert, honored by the king's invitation, accepted with grace and set off on a journey to the royal court. Along the way, he encountered numerous challenges, but his quick wit and unwavering determination helped him overcome every obstacle.
Arriving at the palace, Albert was welcomed with great reverence. The king, eager to engage in discussions with the extraordinary donkey, sought his advice on matters of governance, justice, and diplomacy. Albert's insights proved invaluable, and the kingdom flourished under the wise counsel of this humble, talking ass. As the years passed, Albert's influence continued to grow. His fame transcended borders, and people from distant lands sought his wisdom. The world began to recognize the extraordinary potential that exists within every being, regardless of their outward appearance or origin.
Albert's tale spread far and wide, inspiring generations to embrace the power of empathy, understanding, and the importance of listening to diverse voices. The talking ass became a symbol of unity, breaking down barriers and bridging divides among people from all walks of life. And so, the legend of Albert, the talking ass, lived on as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound wisdom can emerge from the unlikeliest of sources. His story became a testament to the beauty of uniqueness, proving that a kind heart and a wise mind can change the world, no matter the form they inhabit. This is what the Donkey who spoke to Balaam did, it broke down the walls of hate and anger with blessing and renewal instead, it brought a new and fresh voice into the situation at hand that in the end would be a blessing to Israel on their travels. But lets contrast this briefly with the story of Moses being barred from entering the land because he struck the rock with his staff instead of speaking to it in order to produce water for the people.
Although we are not told why this isolated incident received such an unfair punishment, we know that Moses after leading the people for 40 years, would not be able to enter the promised land. Jewish tradition says this may be because Moses lacked trust in God (Yalkut Shimoni), depending on his own might instead of the Lord's (Yalkut Me’am), perhaps it may have to do with Aaron's sin of the golden calf as well as Moses' failure to unify the spies (Numbers Rabbah 19:9), all unknowns of coure. The Torah, A Modern Commentary, offers an intriguing view. In this case they simply grew old and tired, Moses and Aaron could no longer fight for the people and/or God the way they once did, the Psalmist writes, “They provoked wrath at the waters of Meribah, and Moses suffered on their account, because they embittered his spirit and he spoke rashly,” reflecting a fed up and broken Moses, but it was more than that. The upshot was simple: what happened with Moses and Aaron was an indication that the new generation who would enter the land simply needed a new vision and a new voice, it was time for a change.
Balaam’s donkey, like Albert in our story above, represented something new, something different, something that was not like before to indicate a new beginning was ahead, making what was bad into to everyone's good. Does what we fight for create something new, or is it for a past glory that simply needs to change?
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Adam
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