Miryam's Space

Mah tovu – What goodness! I love this Parashah, Balak.

-for the Mah Tovu, the prayer of early morning that proclaims what goodness is in our tents

for its ecumenism, because the words of Mah tovu are spoken by a non Jewish-prophet who blesses the Israelites rather than cursing them, who is open to the voice of G!d

for its slapstick comedy, even before Shrek, of the wizard who cannot see as much as his hinny (female donkey).

Something new in this years journey found in the verses I’m focusing on this Shabbat are clues to our own lives, and hints of Bilam’s darkness.  Source sheet linked here

Sometimes in Torah, G!d speaks to people, and not just Jewish people. When G!d asks a question of an human I pay close attention, for I’ve learned they are asked of each one of us!  Where are you?! Asks G!d of Adam.   Where is your brother, asks G!d of Kayin?

In this week’s parashah, Balaak ben Tzippor, the fearful King, (his name means “destruction, son of Bird”) sends  messengers versed in the art of Divining(!) The future, to seek out Bilam, the infamous wizard of these times.

They knock on Bilam’s door, these important people.

Imagine, you are a wizard, maybe Gandalf, Dumbledoor, or Bilam,  alone in your cabin in the mountains, and you hear a knock on the door, you open it, and it’s Kamala Harris, and entourage. They’re fearful, and ask you to use your powers to bring down destruction on an entire people.  What do you do? Of course, you let them in, stay the night. I think I’d want a selfie. I’m not really going to harm anyone, but, you know, Kamala slept here!…

You explain to them patiently: “these people have G!d protecting them, and at night, ba-layla, I will seek permission.”

Why do they need a wizard if they are Diviners? Because these new people are literally muddying the spiritual waters, hiding the “ayin” the eyes of the earth from view!
The wells of water were thought to be as eyes reflecting the heavens!

And indeed, a miracle which the trope begins very matter-of-factly, G!d comes to Bilam (perhaps they have conversed before!) and G!d asks a question: not who are you Bilam, but who are these people with you?

Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me them to me, and he goes on to actually exaggerate what they have asked of him:  To G!d. To distort the truth. OY!

Did Bilam listen to G!d really, and answer the question?

No Bilam, who are you hanging with, traveling with, who have you let into your door, into your life? Are you being swayed by their title, the trappings? Do you really know who they are? It’s a question every parent asks their teen.

 I imagine G!d asking this of me! What a difference it makes! I choose to travel with you guys each morning, among others…

And I know this because of the Mah Tovu prayer What goodness there is. I say the words before I open my eyes each morning: I need to know there is goodness before open my eyes, and to remember who I am inside: my values, memories, and dreams as I say good morning to the world. Verses from psalms here are, from context, prayers to keep us from falling into bad company. A solid way to begin each morning, establishing who we really are, committing to goodness, to our values, before we let people in and decide to walk a pathway with them.    

But God said to Balaam, “Do not walk with them. You must not curse (using ta-ohr, the original, not the exaggerated) verb that Bilam uses for cursing that people, for they are blessed.”

Choose wisely who to walk with. And together: Ani v’ata n’shaneh et ha-olam, You and I can change the world. What goodness!