Why Moab and Midian United Against Israel in Balak

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Balak 4:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And Moab said to the elders of Midian" (Numbers 22:4). And do you not find that the Midianites would wage war with the Moabites? As it is said, "who smote Midian in the field of Moab" (Genesis 36:35). And the hatred between them existed from of old. A parable of two dogs who were hostile to one another: a wolf came upon one of them. His companion said: If I do not help him, today it kills this one, and tomorrow it will come upon me. Therefore Moab joined together with Midian.

Themes

WisdomAnimalsFriendship

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Ben SiraStay Far From Those Who Wield Power to KillBen Sira turns to Stay Far From Those Who Wield Power to Kill. He starts with a stark warning: "Keep far from a person who has authority to kill, and you will nLetter of AristeasTo Whom Should a King Show GenerosityI'm talking about the Letter of Aristeas. It's an incredible text that purports to describe how the Septuagint, that famous Greek translation of the Hebrew BiblAlphabet of Ben SiraWhy the Raven Dances While It WalksWatch a raven walk and you'll notice something peculiar. It doesn't strut smoothly like a pigeon or hop like a sparrow. It bobs and sways, almost like it's dancLegends of the JewsJob's Friends Failed to Grasp the Limits of WisdomThe familiar version gives us Job. His story is a evidence of faith tested by unimaginable suffering. But beyond the trials, Job’s story is a profound exploratiLegends of the JewsThe Persian King's Cure Required Solomon's Cunning HelpThe story goes like this: the King of Persia, a friendly ally of Solomon, was seriously ill. His royal physician, after consulting all his ancient scrolls and rMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelRabbi Yishmael Was Wont to Say If a Burnt-offeringThe Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael parses the precise wording the Torah uses for the Passover animal, the word seh, and shows how each term in the verse narrows down