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.
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