Chevre, this week’s parsha in Israel is Balak (בלק). Outside Israel, the parsha is Chukat-Balak. And again next week everyone will be on the same parsha again. Many folks take the Parshiot as set in stone. In addition to the 1 year cycle, there used to be a 3 year cycle. During the Babylonian period the 1 year cycle was generally accepted. Also, the Chapters and Line numbers in the Tanach (Bible) are not Jewish. These were adopted from outsiders during The Middle Ages. It’s important to understand that things in Jewish Culture and Law have evolved over time. Some of the best shiurim and books that I’ve learned are around differences and evolution in our customs. And my workflows get adjusted regularly based on new circumstances and requirements.
Speaking of outside influences, most of the parsha this week revolves around Bilaam and Balak. Balak was the king of Moab and was scared of the Israelits. He turned to Bilaam to curse the people. Bilaam was reluctant and eventually went with Balak, but HaShem turned Bilaam’s curses in blessings over and over again. On the way to Balak, Bilaam was riding his donkey and the donkey saw there was a dangerous angel blocking the way. And only after coercion and pushing by Bilaam, the donkey spoke to Bilaam. And then Bilaam was able to see the danger. Eventually, the daughters of Moab went and influenced some of the Israelites to sin, including at the entrance to The Mishkan. Pinchas smote the Israelite man and Moabite woman.
When I was much younger, I remember a couple of movies with talking computers. War Games (1983) had the computer reading output through a speaker. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) showed Scotty trying to talk to a computer through its’ mouse. Today, hearing a computer or device speak and speaking to a device are normal every day events. I know I’m dating myself, but these were all science fiction when I was a kid. Today, we talk to AI and are spoken to by AI through our computers, phones (which are super computers compared to what we had in the 80’s) and our smart speakers. I can’t yet speak with my dogs so we can 100% understand each other, but I did add a smart chip to their collars so that I can find them when they occassionally escape.
Maybe someday Dr Dolittle (1967, I wasn’t around for this one) and Bilaam’s talking donkey won’t seem so far-fetched.
Shabbat Shalom