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Sharona Margolin Halickman

Parshat Sinwar?

Photo Courtesy Yehuda Halickman

Would we name a parsha after Sinwar, who wants to see the annihilation of the Jewish people?

Why do we have a parsha named after Balak, one of our greatest enemies, who was already looking for our destruction even before we entered the Land of Israel?

Balak (the king) told Bilam (the prophet) in Bamidbar 22:6:

Now, please come and curse this nation for me, for they are stronger than I, perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them from the land…

This sounds like what is happening today. Hamas think that if they curse Israel and the Jewish people enough then they will be able to get rid of us and throw us out of Israel.

In the end, God transformed the curses into blessings as God won’t let anyone get away with cursing us.

In Bilam’s third blessing (Bamidbar 24:9) he says:

He crouches and lies like a lion, who would dare rouse him? Those who bless you are blessed and those who curse you are cursed.

Rashi brings Onkelos’ interpretation which says that no kingdom will move the Jewish people. They will settle in their land with strength and power.

Although Balak’s original plan was to curse Israel and have them thrown out of their land, in the end they were blessed to settle there. Those who are with us will be blessed and those against us will be cursed.

The anti-Israel protests that are taking place around the world that call for the destruction of Israel seem very powerful right now and a lot of people are joining them. However, as these demonstrations are now branching out with the message of hate towards the United States and other countries where they are being held, the general population is noticing whose side they prefer to be on and slowly but surely they will stand by us.

May we only see brachot and may all those who stand up for the State of Israel be blessed.

About the Author
Sharona holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College and an MS in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School, Yeshiva University. Sharona was the first Congregational Intern and Madricha Ruchanit at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, NY. After making aliya in 2004, Sharona founded Torat Reva Yerushalayim, a non profit organization based in Jerusalem which provides Torah study groups for students of all ages and backgrounds.
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