Parshat Balak

535 related texts · Page 7 of 60

King Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel, the talking donkey, and Balaam's blessings instead of curses. Numbers 22:2-25:9.

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 18

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 18

(Numb. 25:2:) “And they invited the people to the sacrifices for their gods.” Thus they (i.e., daughters of Moab) were going by the counsel of Balaam, as stated (in Numb. 31:16), “...

Balaam: Solomon and Moses

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:3

The idea is that God wouldn't want anyone to be able to say, "Hey, you kept yourself hidden from us!" later on. So, what did God do? According to some interpretations, God gave eve...

MosesKing DavidSolomonDaniel

Trial of Balaam and Babylon

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:9

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105a) actually tells us that Balaam, the infamous prophet-for-hire, was one of three individuals whom God tested and who utterly failed. He's in dark company,...

ProphecyMysticismExile

Balaam's Journey and Abraham

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:20

The story begins with an ass – not just any ass, mind you, but one created on the sixth day of creation itself! According to Legends of the Jews, this creature was gifted to Balaam...

AngelsPatriarchsMosesTorah

Balaam's Legacy and Israelite

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 6:51

But the story, as always, is far more complex than it seems. Balaam, unlike some of the other characters we encounter in the Hebrew Bible, doesn't give up easily. After initially b...

PatriarchsMosesTorahProphecy

Balak: Bilam at the Dawn of Creation

Midrash Rabbah Bamidbar Rabbah 20:19

The story of Bilam, found in the Book of Numbers, is one wild ride. But the real juicy stuff? It's in the Midrash, specifically Bamidbar Rabbah, which offers a fascinating peek beh...

CreationHell/GehennaAdam & EvePatriarchs

Covenant of Abraham and Curses

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 39:12

The text opens with a powerful promise from God to Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you, and one who curses you, I will curse, and all the families of the earth shall be bles...

CreationHell/GehennaPatriarchsJoseph

Moses's Transgression and Phineas

Midrash Aggadah Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 47:6

That’s the scene set in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, Chapter 47. The text tells us that all the princes were with Moses, Eleazar, and Phineas, and together they witnessed this terrifyin...

AngelsMoses

The Blessing Of The Twelve Tribes

Ginzberg Vol. 2

What would you say? Would you offer blessings, warnings, or maybe even a bit of both? That's what happened with Jacob, also known as Israel, as he lay dying in Egypt, surrounded by...

CreationAngelsHeavenMessiah