Why God Forbade Balaam to Curse or Even Bless Israel

Midrash Aggadah, Numbers 22:12

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"You shall not go with them" (Numbers 22:12) — because the Holy One, blessed be He, does not desire the destruction of the wicked. Balaam said: You stipulate to me that I shall not go with them; I will curse them from my own place. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: "You shall not curse the people." Balaam said: And do You wish that I bless them? The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: They do not need your blessing, for they are blessed.

Themes

Adam EveSinMusicBlessingPrayer

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash AggadahWhy Balak Believed Balaam's Blessing Took Heshbon From MoabWhen Balak sent for Balaam, every word he chose carried a hidden edge. "Curse for me this people," he said. The sages hear in the verb arah the gesture of a manBen SiraBen Sira in Jewish TraditionTake this seemingly straightforward statement: "Be the name of the Lord blessed henceforth and for ever." It’s a potent declaration, a turning point, a consciouSifrei DevarimBlessings Require Our Effort Not Just Divine GraceLike winning the lottery. But what if there's more to it? What if we have a role to play? The Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal Midrash on the Book of DeuteMidrash AggadahWhy Balaam Could Not Curse Israel Whom Isaac Had BlessedWhen Balaam opened his mouth over Israel, the words turned in his throat from curse to blessing. "He couches, he lies down like a lion," he declared. Hear what Bereshit RabbahThe Roots Of EverythingIt's a notion that the very foundations, the shoresh – the roots – of absolutely everything were established during those pivotal six days of Creation. “There iThe Midrash of PhiloJaphet in Jewish TraditionThe Midrash of Philo turns to Japhet in Jewish Tradition. Philo of Alexandria was a Jewish philosopher living in Egypt in the first century CE. He tried to brid