Daily Aliya for Vaetchanan, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe designates three cities of refuge on the eastern side of the Jordan River. These cities provided refuge for an individual who inadvertently murdered another.

The Gemara explains that although the cities wouldn't become active refuge havens until the Jews settled in Israel, Moshe saw this as an opportunity to do something positive and would not pass up the chance. It's not just that he seized the opportunity to perform a Mitzvah (positive commandment), he took this opportunity to prepare to do a Mitzvah! In modern day, that would be the equivalent of us waking up earlier than normal to daven (pray), or going out of our way so we can be asked to do Chessed (a kind act). It's looking for circumstances where opportunities might exist.

Daily Aliya for Vaetchanan, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe implores the Israelites to treasure the Torah, praising its wisdom, its righteous and just precepts, and the closeness to G‑d it affords. He admonishes them to never forget the day when G‑d gave them the Torah, and vividly describes that awesome event, enjoining them to recount that day's events to their children and grandchildren. He then focuses on the divine revelation, reminding them that G‑d did not appear as any image or form. Worshiping graven images, Moshe warns, will result in national exile and decimation. But even when exiled, G‑d will not forsake His people, and eventually they will repent and return to G‑d. This section concludes with Moshe extolling the Israelites' uniqueness: the only nation personally delivered by G‑d from bondage, and the only people to whom G‑d revealed Himself.

This Aliya is loaded with Pessukim (verses) that we use regularly, as well as anecdotes to overcoming temptations. The recipe for doing the right thing is: 1) hearing, 2) seeing, and 3) fearing. As Passuk 10 says, G-d gathered everyone so He can tell us the commandments, where we actually see the words, and the goal is for us to fear Him so that we continue to follow those words. The reason why only hearing or seeing doesn't work is explained: If we only used our sight to discern what's right, we could erroneously see the sun or moon and determine that they are the ones providing for our needs. If we only used our hearing we could similarly falter when hearing something different. It's only a combination of these, along with fear, that will protect us from stumbling in the future. Seeing and hearing the rules are important to know what's right, and fearing consequences help us protect those rules from potentially being broken. This important lesson is adaptable to many aspects of life, both personal and family.

Daily Aliya for Vaetchanan, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: In this week's Torah reading, Va'etchanan, Moshe continues his attempt to impress upon the Israelites the importance of following G‑d's commandments, the rewards which will result from obeying G‑d's words, and the punishments they will incur if they neglect to do so. Moshe recounts the story of the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai, and repeats the Ten Commandments. Moshe designates cities of refuge. This portion also contains the Shema.

Aliya Summary: Moshe recounts how he pleaded with G‑d to allow him entry into Israel. G‑d refused this request, but instructed Moshe to climb a mountain from where he would see the Promised Land. Moshe enjoins the people to follow G‑d's law, and never to add to or detract from it. Moshe uses the Baal Peor incident to demonstrate that those who remained faithful to G‑d survived and thrived.

Daily Aliya for Devarim, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe delineates the borders of the lands allotted to the aforementioned tribes. He then repeats the instructions he gave to these tribes to cross the Jordan together with their brethren and participate in the battle against the Canaanites before returning to their land on the eastern bank of the Jordan. Joshua, who will lead the nation into Israel, is enjoined not to be fearful of the battles which he will face, because "it is the L-rd, your G‑d, who is fighting for you."

Daily Aliya for Devarim, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe recalls how Sichon led his nation in battle against the Israelites. The Israelites were victorious and took possession of his land. When the Bashanites then attacked, they meet a similar fate. The lands of the Emorites and the Bashanites were given to the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and half the tribe of Menashe.

While this Aliya contains many recounts of the victories and territorial conquests, there is a hint of something more. In passuk (verse) 6, it says that we destroyed Og as we destroyed Cheshbon, but it says it in present tense! We continually destroy Og (and Cheshbon), which apparently represent inherent character flaws that we are opposed to. In future posts on this Aliya I'll have to find out what these nations represented, so we can fully understand what it is that we rid the world of. Suggestions welcome.

Daily Aliya for Devarim, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe fast-forwards 38 years. The generation which left Egypt had perished. Now their children were ready to enter Canaan. But first G‑d instructs the Israelites regarding three nations whose land was off-limits for them: Seir (Edom), Moab and Amon. These lands were the rightful inheritance of the descendants of Esav and Lot. Instead, the Israelites circled these lands and approached the land of Sichon, king of the Emorites, and requested passageway through his land. Sichon refused the Israelites' request.

While recapping the events of the generation that died in the desert, the Passuk refers to them as "men of war", which Rashi explains to mean that they were eligible to fight because they were between the ages of 20 and 60. But just because they were eligible to fight didn't necessarily entitle them "men of war", unless it's a vague hint at the personalities of those people, choosing to be confrontational, argumentative, and generally controversial, qualities that often gets people into trouble, and elicits labels people don't always deserve.

Daily Aliya for Devarim, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe continues: At that time G‑d instructed the Israelites to reverse course and head back to the desert. Realizing their dreadful error, a group of Israelites proceeded to advance toward Israel -- in the face of Moshe's objections. Lacking divine protection, they were immediately attacked and massacred by the Emorites. At this point, the Israelites heeded G‑d's command, and headed back to the Sinai Desert.

The Emorites attacking the Jews is compared to bees attacking (verse 44), perhaps because they swarmed, maybe because they were merely protecting their home. Rashi says they were compared to bees because just like bees die after they sting, those Emorites similarly died after attacking those Jews. G-d was (and is) protective of us even while meting out punishment!

Daily Aliya for Devarim, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: At that time, the Israelites approached Moshe and demanded the right to send out scouts to reconnoiter the land. Moshe recounts the tragic episode in detail, how the scouts delivered a frightening report, claiming that the land was unconquerable. Despite Moshe's protests, the Israelites adopted the scouts' attitude and decided not to enter Canaan. This caused G‑d to bar that entire generation from entering the Promised Land.

Apparently they Israelites asked Moshe to allow the scouts to go so they can find the best path for the Israelites to enter the land. Then Rashi adds that "there is no road without a bend", a profound reality tragically ignored by the Israelites, and many others today. In my days engaged in Jewish outreach, I would come across many teenagers, some eager to learn and know, while others eager looking to find that twist in the road they didn't agree with. It's always there, you just need to be willing to slow down and navigate the turns, and come out ahead on the other side.

Daily Aliya for Devarim, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: After the Israelites consented to the idea, Moshe appointed a hierarchy of judges to preside over the nation. Moshe recalls instructing them the basics of judicial integrity. Moshe then recounts how the Jews traveled through the desert and quickly reached Kadesh Barnea, on the southern border of the Holy Land.

The qualifications for someone to be a judge or enforcer over others is quite long, although not universally agreed. Among the qualities discussed are: Understanding, righteous, bashful (of mis-judging), wise, familiar (so they know their litigants' situations), respected. The Gemara says that the one quality Moshe couldn't find was understanding, not the quality I would have thought would be lacking. But Sifri explains that this "understanding" was the ability to learn one thing from another, something that clearly requires not only familiarity with the existing rules, but a comfort level with them that would enable this extraction, much like the Gemara does many years later. So Moshe settled for the other qualities, "understanding" that the understanding would follow years later...

Daily Aliya for Devarim, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's Parsha begins the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Five Books of Moshe. Moshe begins his final monologue, five weeks before his passing. He recounts the story of the Israelite's travel through the desert, placing emphasis on, and rebuking them for, the story of the spies. He describes Israel's conquest of the Emorites and the Bashanites.

Aliya Summary: The Israelites are situated on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, on the verge of entering the land of Canaan, and Moshe's death is imminent. This is the setting for Moshe's final statements to the nation he lovingly tended for four decades. After delivering a veiled rebuke to the nation for their many past misdeeds, Moshe revisits the period, some 39 years earlier, before the Israelites left Mount Sinai at G‑d's behest, with the intention of immediately invading and entering Canaan. At that time, Moshe expressed to the Jews his inability to single-handedly bear the burden of leadership, because "G‑d, has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens in abundance."

Daily Aliya for Matot-Massei, Shvi'i (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The Jews are commanded to designate six cities of refuge. These cities offer refuge to a person who inadvertently kills another. The murderer must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the serving High Priest. The Jews are enjoined not to take "blood money" from a -- intentional or unintentional -- murderer who wishes to lighten his sentence. In last week's reading, G‑d instructed Moshe to give the daughters of the deceased Tzlophchad his portion in the land of Israel. The elders of Tzlophchad's tribe now protested that this would cause Tzlophchad's sons -- who could possibly be of another tribe -- to inherit their mother's properties, thus possibly transferring land from the portion of their tribe to another. G‑d therefore instructs Tzlophchad's daughters to marry men from their own tribe, so the land they inherit will remain in their ancestral tribe.

 This Aliya is probably the original of the phrase "if it hurts when you touch there, don't touch there." Tzlophchad's daughers realized that if they married outside the tribe, their land would be transferred to their husband's tribe, and their family would lose it (since it follows the males). G-d response was: Well, then, don't marry outside your family if you have no sons. The caveat is that this is only a solution if keeping the family land was more important to them than the perfect partner (assuming they might be different people), which is what Tzlophchad's family chose. But they weren't instructed as such previously because it required that personal choice, once again proving the flexibility that exists within strict Torah rules.

Daily Aliya for Matot-Massei, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: G‑d appoints a representative from each tribe to divide his tribe's portion of land between the tribal members. The Jews are commanded to provide the Levites with 48 cities where they would dwell -- 42 cities plus the six cities of refuge which would be designated. Along with these cities, the Levites were given expanses surrounding the cities for their cattle.

After selecting an administrator for each tribe to help decide which family receives which piece of their tribe's land, the very next section talks about the requirement to donate part of their land to the Levites. So the Jews just got their land, and they already have to give some of it away. But it highlights the concept that we have what we have so we can do something positive with it, like sharing land with the Levites that hadn't been given any. If we're given money, we should give those who haven't - and it's not just a nice thing to do - it's the reason why you were given the money! The same is true for anything we have been granted with in life.

Daily Aliya for Matot-Massei, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: G‑d instructs the Jewish people to eradicate all Canaan's inhabitants and destroy their idols after crossing the Jordan River. The borders of the land of Israel are delineated. The land was to be divided by lottery amongst the nine and a half tribes (Reuven, Gad and half of the tribe of Menashe were going to settle on the eastern bank of the Jordan).

The Jews were warned that they must clear out the existing inhabitants of their new land before settling in it, and then were warned again that if they didn't clear out all the existing inhabitants, the existing tenants would end up being "spikes in their eyes and thorns in their sides", an interesting depiction of their pending troubles. Spikes in their eyes represent obstacles visible to the naked eye (improper behavior, appearance, etc), and thorns in their sides represent obstacles less obvious (societal influence, peer pressures, etc). Both are equally painful spikes, although we may not see the thorns coming. The Passuk is equating the obstacles visible to us with those not visible to us, warning us of the perils of exposure to each.

Daily Aliya for Matot-Massei, Revi'i (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe accepts the offer of the Reuvenites and Gaddites, and informs Joshua and Elazar the High Priest of the agreement. These two tribes, along with half of the tribe of Menashe settle on the eastern bank of the Jordan, and conquer many of the areas wherein they encountered opposition. The Torah then recounts the journeys of the Jews in the desert; the 42 journeys which took them from Egypt to the banks of the Jordan. Aaron passes away.

While Moshe wanted the tribes staying on the other side of the Jordan to fight, they took their commitment a step further and said they would not leave until everyone took possession of their land, which took an extra seven years! This proved beyond a doubt that their intentions were not to isolate themselves from the rest of the Jewish nation. Often it's the extra steps we're not even required to take that prove our intentions.

Daily Aliya for Matot-Massei, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The tribes of Reuven and Gad owned lots of cattle. Seeing that the eastern bank of the Jordan -- the lands of Sichon and Og which they had just conquered -- had abundant pasture, they asked Moshe if they could remain and settle on the eastern bank. Moshe angrily responds that they are following in the footsteps of the spies who were fearful of the Canaanites, did not want to enter the land of Israel, and discouraged the entire nation from doing so. The Reuvenites and Gaddites respond that they will leave their cattle and families behind in fortified cities, and all their men will proceed into Israel with their brethren and lead them in the conquest of the land. Only after all the land has been conquered and settled would they return to the other side of the Jordan.

When the tribes of Reuven and Gad approached Moshe with their request to live on the other side of the Jordan river, Moshe was understandably upset, because he'd seen this mistake before. He proceeded to lecture them about what happened to their parents for doing the same thing, facts I'm sure everyone was already well aware of. So what was he adding by telling them what they already knew? He was putting their request in perspective for them, and although G-d wasn't contacted directly yet, Moshe felt that he knew what would happen. Reuven and Gad's response was similar. They showed Moshe that from their perspective they were nothing like the spies that faltered years ago, that they were still part of the Jewish people, united in beliefs, battles, and all else. They showed Moshe that their motivation was purely based on logistics of storing all their assets (motivation was something he could not know, only G-d). The lesson is clearly about understanding other people's perspective, and how communication is so critical in appreciating others' perspectives.

Daily Aliya for Matot-Massei, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Moshe was enraged that the Midianite females were spared. "They were the primary culprits; the ones who seduced the Israelites and brought about the plague which killed so many!" Moshe exclaimed. All the males and all women who possibly could have been involved in the campaign of seduction were killed. The soldiers were instructed how to purify themselves from the ritual impurity they contracted from contact with corpses in the course of battle, and are told how to kosher the food utensils which were among the spoils. The spoils of the war were evenly divided between the soldiers and the greater community. Tithes from the spoils were given to Elazar the High Priest and the Levites. The army officers counted the soldiers who returned from battle, and determined that not a single man was lost in the war. To show gratitude to G‑d for this miracle, the officers donated to the Tabernacle all the gold jewelry which they personally plundered from the Midianites.

Daily Aliya for Matot-Massei, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's Torah reading, Matot-Massei, begins with the laws of oaths. The Israelites wage battle against Midian and the spoils are divided and tithed. The tribes of Reuven and Gad request and receive territory outside the mainland of Israel. Moshe reviews the forty years of Israelite journeys through the desert. The Torah discusses the boundaries of Israel, its division amongst the tribes, the cities which the Levites would receive, and the cities of refuge. Tzlophchad's daughters are restricted to marrying within their own tribe.

Aliya Summary: A person who obligates him or herself with a vow is required to fulfill the vow. Under certain circumstances, a husband or father can annul vows made by his wife and daughter. The Israelites were commanded to exact revenge from the Midianites for their part in seducing Jewish men to sin (described in the end of the Torah reading of Balak, Numbers 25). A 12,000-strong army of Israelites, led by Pinchas, waged battle against Midian. All adult Midianite males were killed, along with Bilaam and Midian's five kings. The women, children, and battle spoils were brought back to the Israelite encampment.

Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya discusses the sacrifices offered on the holidays of Succot and Shemini Atzeret.

During the seven days of Succot 70 bulls , 14 rams and 98 lambs were sacrificed. Rashi explains that the bulls represented the 70 nations, explaining that the sacrifices "shielded them from adversity". It's unclear if the Jews were shielded, or the nations were. I'd like to think that both are true, and that as the nation with the closest relationship with G-d, we shield the world from adversity. In those days it was with sacrifices, and these days it's with morality, even when facing hostile and tense situations. As a "light unto the nations", it's always been our responsibility to "represent".

Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya discusses the sacrifices offered on Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. The Torah also discusses some of the laws related to these holidays.

In case you were wondering about the "recipe" for these sacrifices, Rashi explains that the bulls represent Avraham (who ran to get cattle to feed his guests), the ram represents Yitzchak (Isaac - the ram replaced him as a sacrifice), and the lambs represent Yakov (Jacob - separated the lambs in his camp). Referencing our forefathers has two distinct benefits: It helps us put the sacrifices, our relationship with G-d, and our life in perspective, and it reminds G-d of their merits to the extent that they can help us. That's why we also mention the forefathers when we daven (pray), for the same bilateral perspective.

Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: From this point until the end of this week's reading, the Torah details the various communal sacrifices which were offered in the Tabernacle and Temple at designated times. This section discusses the twice-daily "Tamid" sacrifice, as well as the additional sacrifices offered on Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Jewish month).

If you're looking for juicy theories and life lessons, this Aliya is as bone dry as it gets (pun intended). However, two items stand out among the detailed descriptions of the sacrifices brought monthly. The first is the "re'ach nochoach" that was associated with these offerings. Literally it means "a spirit of satisfaction", and it refers to G-d pleasure in seeing that we did exactly what He asked us to do, despite it making little sense, because that's what makes Him happy. The second is the monthly sacrifice brought to atone for the sins we are not aware of. These two items clearly outline the relationship between two people, where one tries to please the other, and just in case they did anything wrong, apologizes for things they were unaware of. It's a beautiful blueprint for relationships.

Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: G‑d agreed to Tzlophchad's daughters' request. Moshe is then instructed the laws of inheritance. Included in these laws is a daughter's right to her father's estate if he does not leave any sons. G‑d tells Moshe to climb to the top of Mount Abarim from where he would see the Promised Land before he died. Moshe asks G‑d to appoint a worthy individual to succeed him. G‑d instructs Moshe to endow Joshua with some of his spiritual powers and publicly name him as his successor.

When Moshe was shown the land he yearned to enter but was not allowed to, he had a choice. He could have been bitter, or happy that at least his people were finally about to enter the promised land. What was his main concern when he saw the land? That a worthy successor be chosen to lead the Jews into the land. And when G-d told Moshe to lay his hand on Yehoshua (Joshua), his successor, Moshe laid TWO hands, bestowed some of his wisdom and radiance upon Joshua, encouraged him to see all his people as individuals, and to lead by example. True leadership 101: Empowering a successor to succeed.

Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: As per G‑d's command, the land of Israel was to be divided amongst all those who were counted in the census. The location of each tribe's portion would be determined by lottery. The tribe of Levi is now counted. There were 23,000 Levite males above the age of one month. The daughters of Tzelophchad approached Moshe and stated that their father had died leaving behind only daughters. They requested to receive their father's portion in the land of Israel. Moshe relayed their request to G‑d.

The daughters of Tzelophchad weren't the first active women in Jewish history, but their actions commanded respect because of the underlying desire to be a part of the land distribution, and the Jewish nation. Their argument was logical, respectful and fair. This is yet another example of a maturing people, having learned how not to argue for what they thought was fair, and finally making a point. We're seeing the growth of a nation, in numbers, experience and maturity.

Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The Israelites are counted, and the totals are given for each of the twelve tribes. The grand total of all the tribes combined is 601,730. The tribe of Levi is not included in this census.

The very first Passuk (verse) says it all about this Aliya. The firstborn for Reuven was Chanoch, from the Chanochi family. The statement seems redundant, but it's really not. Rashi explains that outsiders questioned the Jews' ability to trace their ancestors, claiming that when they were in Egypt no one really knew who the children's fathers were because of immorality that must have occurred (between the Egyptian men and the Jewish women). G-d response to that was to add his name to every family, adding a "hey" to the beginning and a "yud" to the end, so Chanoch became "Hachanochi", demonstrating that G-d protected the Jews, and specifically the women in Egypt.

Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: Pinchas is rewarded for his bravery. A census of the Israelites is taken. The daughters of Tzelophchad successfully argue for a portion in the land of Israel. Joshua is ordained Moshe's successor. G‑d relays to Moshe the details of all the holiday sacrifices.

Aliya Summary: Last week's reading concluded with Moabite and Midianite women seducing Jewish men and enticing them to idol worship. At that point, Pinchas unilaterally executed a Jewish leader along with the Midianite princess with whom he was cohabiting. This week's reading opens with G‑d praising Pinchas, and rewarding his bravery by granting priesthood to him and his descendants. G‑d then commands the Jews to punish the Midianites by hounding and smiting them. The fulfillment of this command is described in next week's reading. G‑d commands Moses and Elazar the High Priest to conduct a census of all males over the age of twenty.

Daily Aliya for Balak, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Before leaving, Bilaam prophesies about the end of days: "I see it, but not now; I behold it, but not soon. A star has gone forth from Jacob, and a staff will arise from Israel which will crush the princes of Moab and uproot all the sons of Seth..." He also speaks about the eventual destruction of Esav, Amalek and Assyria. Following Bilaam's unsuccessful attempt to curse the Jewish nation, Moabite and Midianite women seduce many Jewish men. In the course of their seduction, they also entice the Jewish man to worship the Baal Peor deity. G‑d commands Mohss to execute the guilty people, and simultaneously a lethal plague erupts amongst the Jews. A Jewish leader, Zimri, publicly displays the Midianite princess with whom he was consorting. Phinehas, Aaron's grandson, kills them both, and the plague is halted.

Passuk (verse) 14 says "I'm leaving... but I'll advise you of what will happen to your people" (they'll be destroyed). Telling Balak that his people will be destroyed doesn't seem like advice at all. What he could have been telling him was that although you're ultimately doomed to fail and lose, if you want to succeed temporarily, baiting the Jews into immorality would work, and it did. Why tell him he's doomed to fail? I think Passuk 25 tells it all: "Bilaam got up, left, went home, and Balak went on his way". Balak going on his way sounds like he continued on his original path of attempting to destroy the Jews, regardless of his previous and now FUTURE failures. Truly a lost cause.

Daily Aliya for Balak, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The entire process repeats itself once again, Balak takes Bilaam to another place, hoping that Bilaam can curse the Jews from there. For a third time they build altars and bring offerings, and for a third time, only blessings issue from Bilaam's mouth: "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! ... G‑d, who has brought them out of Egypt with the strength of His loftiness He shall consume the nations which are his adversaries ... Those who bless [them] shall be blessed, and those who curse [them] shall be cursed." At this point, Balak despairs of accomplishing his goal, and sends Bilaam on his way.

Two important concepts are demonstrated in this Aliya. First, the persistence of these two people to accomplish their goals is admirable, even if their goal itself isn't. Second, whereas when they first started the attempts it was Bilaam building the alters and trying to find a way to curse the Jews, now it is Balak trying different tactics to get it done. The two men strengthen each other's resolve to accomplish their goal, a concept very much a part of Judaism. We focus on community and gatherings, many of the Mitzvot (commandments) focusing on helping each other, and that's what not only makes each of us stronger by being around others, but it makes the collective "us" much greater than the sum of its parts.

Daily Aliya for Matot-Massei, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: G‑d appoints a representative from each tribe to divide his tribe's portion of land between the tribal members. The Jews are commanded to provide the Levites with 48 cities where they would dwell -- 42 cities plus the six cities of refuge which would be designated. Along with these cities, the Levites were given expanses surrounding the cities for their cattle.

After selecting an administrator for each tribe to help decide which family receives which piece of their tribe's land, the very next section talks about the requirement to donate part of their land to the Levites. So the Jews just got their land, and they already have to give some of it away. But it highlights the concept that we have what we have so we can do something positive with it, like sharing land with the Levites that hadn't been given any. If we're given money, we should give those who haven't - and it's not just a nice thing to do - it's the reason why you were given the money! The same is true for anything we have been granted with in life.

Daily Aliya for Balak, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Balak takes Bilaam to another location, hoping that this new venue would be more inauspicious for the Jews. They again build altars and offer sacrifices, and again G‑d dictates blessing for the Jews which Bilaam repeats. "G‑d does not look at evil in Jacob, and has seen no perversity in Israel; the L-rd, his G‑d, is with [Israel], and he has the King's friendship..."

After Balak takes him to a different location, one where there might be weakness (he took him to the spot where Moshe would eventually die), Bilaam explains that he has no choice but to say what G-d tells him to say, and G-d instructed him to bless the Jews again. He then goes on to bless the Jews by saying that G-d does not see evil in Jacob, nor perversity in the Jews. How is this a blessing? It sounds more like a fact. But the blessing is that although we know evil and perversity does exist, G-d overlooks it long enough for us to correct our mistakes, demonstrating His love and friendship (Passuk 21: Rashi).

Daily Aliya for Balak, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Upon Bilaam's instructions, Balak builds seven altars and offers sacrifices to G‑d. G‑d "chances" upon Bilaam, and dictates to him the words he should repeat to Balak and his ministers: "From Aram, Balak the king of Moab has brought me, from the mountains of the east: 'Come, curse Jacob for me and come invoke wrath against Israel.' How can I curse whom G‑d has not cursed, and how can I invoke wrath if the L-rd has not been angered?..." Bilaam then proceeded to shower the Israelites with beautiful blessings and praises. When Balak responds angrily to the blessings, Bilaam reminds him that he can only say that which G‑d tells him to say.

This is the origin of the bait-and-switch! Bilaam was brought in to curse the Jews, and instead praises them, boldly stating that he cannot curse those that have done nothing wrong to deserve curses. What? Did we not read over the last few weeks about how the Jews complained about their situation and wanting to go back to Egypt? This is the ultimate proof that G-d forgives the Jews for their misdeeds, because someone skilled at finding minute faults that would allow curses to take hold couldn't find any faults to do so to the Jews.

Daily Aliya for Balak, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary:: Bilaam leaves together with the Moabite dignitaries. G‑d sends an angel with a drawn sword to block Bilaam's path. While Bilaam couldn't see the angel, the she-donkey he was riding did, and refused to move onwards, causing Bilaam to strike her. The donkey miraculously speaks, admonishing Bilaam for striking her. Eventually, G‑d "opens Bilaam's eyes," and he sees the angel. A conversation between Bilaam and the angel ensues, wherein Bilaam is chastised for his behavior towards his donkey, and again he is reminded only to say what G‑d dictates to him. After this humbling episode, Bilaam arrives in Moab where he is greeted by Balak.

If G-d gave Bilaam permission to go to Balak, why did He send an angel to stop him, and why was He angry that Bilaam was going (Passuk/Verse 22)? Midrash explains that Bilaam woke up early and saddled the donkey himself (unusual) because he hated the Jews so, and was excited at the possibility of being able to curse them. So even though he hadn't actually cursed the Jews, and even though G-d knew that he ultimately wouldn't, he was still wrong for intending to do something bad, and that's what G-d was angry about. Luckily, though, we don't get punished for improper acts unless we actually commit them.

Daily Aliya for Balak, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Bilaam sent word with Balak's messengers that G‑d doesn't permit him to go with them. So Balak sent more prestigious messengers to Balaam, promising him great riches in return for his services. Once again G‑d appeared to Balaam. This time G‑d allowed Balaam to go -- provided that he only speak the words which G‑d dictates to him.

In this Aliya we see the ups and downs of trying to curse the Jews.On one hand Bilaam was displaying an arrogance that he was unwilling to travel with lowly messengers, and he tells the next set of more important messengers that he needs to receive permission from G-d to curse the Jews, and that he'll ask again. But alas, persistence (on Balak's part) pays off because the second time G-d talks to him in his dream, he grants him permission to travel, although he still doesn't have permission to curse. In his mind, though, Bilaam sees it as a minor victory, and if he persists, there might be others. Such is human nature, especially children and our evil inclinations, to look for minor victories in search of others.

Daily Aliya for Balak, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: In this week's Torah Parsha, Balak, King Balak of Moab retains the sorcerer Balaam to curse the Jewish people. Instead of curses, only blessings come out of his mouth - including prophecies concerning the Messianic redemption. Moabite women entice some of the Israelites to sin, resulting in a plague amongst the Jews. Pinchas zealously kills two of the high-ranking offenders, and the plague comes to an end.

In the first Aliya, the Israelites have just conquered the Emorites and the Bashanites, the two mighty neighbors of Moab. Balak, king of Moab, worries that his nation would be the Israelites' next victim. He sends messengers to the Land of Midian, to Balaam, a famed non-Jewish prophet and sorcerer, asking him to come and curse the Jews. G‑d appeared to Balaam that night and instructed him not to go to Moab. "You shall not curse the people because they are blessed!"