A talking donkey and Haredi society

In the Bible, a donkey quietly and consistently supports and carries the prophetic Seer Balaam. Yet, Balaam, infamous for his evil-eye, mercilessly insults and repeatedly beats his beast of burden, all the while taking for granted its benevolence.

The prophet’s devoted ass sees danger – and reality – clearly, while the rider, in stark contrast, does not. It is puzzling how such a wise man could be so blind and heartless. Nevertheless, that is exactly the case.

With immense satisfaction, we witness the rider’s come-uppance in the biblical story when the unimaginable occurs: the donkey speaks!

The donkey expresses what many might say in such circumstances:

“What the hell?! I have served you faithfully, but you do not acknowledge, appreciate, or thank me. Moreover, you extend me no benefit of the doubt. You are held in high esteem, both by others and in your own eyes, yet you remain blinded and misguided.”

What a humbling and compelling lesson for the holy man to receive from the mouth of a lowly animal.

The conflated, imaginative image in this wordless Ayin Tova Cartoon strikingly parallels a sad contemporary reality. It appears as if prominent Ultra-Orthodox members of the Israeli government are following in the footsteps of the non-Jewish diviner, an arch-enemy of the Jewish people. The donkey in IDF uniform represents the dedicated Israeli soldiers carrying a burden for all other citizens, as well as for Jews around the world. Yet, the “riders,” as representatives of Haredi society, beat the donkey with a stick and baton!

What a sinful example of poor Jewish behavior! What an absolute lack of awareness and compassion! What a desecration of God’s good Name!

The Talmud determines that the superior value of Torah study is in its ability to guide us toward proper behavior. Inexplicably, today we are witness to a chasm between the quantity of Torah study on the one hand, and ethical behavior dictated by that same holy tradition on the other.

The manifestation of this in Israeli society is overwhelming in its monumental injustice. It leaves us dumbfounded and speechless. But it is high time for the “Donkey” to be heard, and for the Lord’s sword-wielding angel to be revealed.

Free-loading “riders” in the Haredi communities who benefit from others without contributing their fair share (contrary to commanded tradition), should open their eyes and take a hard look at reality and learn some fundamental lessons about proper behavior. They should stop undermining the Jewish nation, and instead, embrace greater responsibility toward the broader Jewish community.

Just as Balaam ended up blessing the Jewish people, we similarly hope that those who disrespect and abandon their brothers and sisters who carry them with beneficence, will eventually see those devout warriors with an ayin tova for who they truly are: heroic and holy defenders of the Jewish people.