Balaam Reads His Own Parable in From Aram Balak Led Me

Midrash Aggadah, Numbers 23:7

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And he took up his parable and said" (Numbers 23:7) — because he would speak his words in a parable. And he said, "From Aram Balak has led me." From the exalted ones I was, and Balak has led me down to Gehinnom. "From the mountains of the east" — from the great exalted ones I was, from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Balak has distanced me from them. "Come, curse Jacob for me." That is to say: if I curse them, I curse myself, for so it is written, "Those who curse you shall be cursed" (Numbers 24:9). And this is what is written, "Jacob" and "Israel" — Jacob had two names, and concerning both of them he said to curse his sons, so that they should have no standing; and what can I do?

Themes

Patriarchs

Biblical References

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2 EnochAdam The AngelAdam is often remembered as simply the first man, made of dust. But some ancient traditions paint a far more…celestial picture. A picture of Adam as an angel. BTestament of AbrahamThe Enthronement Of AdamTestament of Abraham turns to The Enthronement Of Adam. One such idea, found in The Testament of Abraham (chapters 10-11), paints a breathtaking picture. The arLife of Adam and EveAdam Is Taken Into ParadiseOne such story, preserved in Vita Adae et Evae (The Life of Adam and Eve), tells of a remarkable vision. It's a bit obscure, not as well-known as other heavenlySefer HaZichronotThe Messiah In HellMashiach – the Messiah – is often remembered as a future figure, the one who will usher in an era of peace and redemption. But what about now? Where is he? WhatBook of JubileesThe First TorahThe familiar picture has Moses on Mount Sinai, receiving the divine word directly from God. Forty days and forty nights of dictation. But what if I told you theBook of JubileesGod Keeps The SabbathIn fact, the Sabbath isn't just a terrestrial observance; it's a celestial one, too. Right after creating the Sabbath, God gathers all the angels – the angels o