The Tanakh Podcast

Today we address three themes:
1. The theme of lions in Bilaam's prophecy, and the balance between peaceful and warlike images.
2. Bilaam as a source for the Messiah and the End of Days
3. The parallel between Bilaam and Avraham.

Balak takes Bilaam higher and higher on the mountains overlooking the camp of Israel. At each location he sets up 7 altars and brings elaborate sacrifices. The Pagan assumption is that increased vision (and altitude?) would facilitate a spell, a curse; and that sacrifices could force God's hand. But the story turns satirical as Bilaam defies all expectations and King Balak gets increasingly angry.

Is Bilaam a saintly prophet or a greedy, pride-driven antisemite?
That is the debate between Ramban and Rashi.
What do we think from reading the text?
And if God forbids Bilaam from making his way to Moab, then why does he reverse his pronouncement and allow him to go?

The Israelites are making their way to Arvot Moav in the Transjordan, the point at which they will launch their invasion of Eretz Yisrael.
This chapter speaks of their journey there, a story filled with victories and songs, and a chapter that offers us a window into the character of this new generation.

Our chapter sees the death of Miriam and Aharon.
It also sees Moses' famous sin that will deny him entry to the Land.
As we shall suggest. all of this has much to do with the fact that we have just jumped 38 years and we are now in the final year of the Wilderness, and this is a new generation.