The story of Balak and Balaam gives us a pretty potent example.

So, Balak, king of Moab, is terrified of the Israelites. He's hired Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet with, shall we say, a mixed reputation, to curse them. But Balak isn't just going to let Balaam wander in blind. Oh no. He's got a plan.

As we read in Legends of the Jews, Balak leads Balaam from the border towards the heart of his kingdom. But here's the thing: he carefully orchestrates the whole journey. He makes sure Balaam sees vast crowds of people. He even sets up bustling bazaars, filled with families, with children.

Then, with a sinister flourish, Balak points to these innocent masses and says, "Look! Israel plans to destroy these people, who have done them no harm!" Can you feel the manipulation oozing from those words? He's painting a picture of Israel as a ruthless aggressor, preying on the innocent. What a setup!

Now, about the hospitality… or lack thereof. Balak welcomes Balaam with a grand total of one ox and one sheep for a feast. One ox and one sheep! Talk about underwhelming.

The text contrasts this paltry offering with a common proverb, "The pious promise little and do much, the wicked promise much and do little." Balak had promised Balaam "very great honor" (Numbers 22:17). This meager meal? It doesn't exactly scream "honor," does it?

Balaam, suppressing his anger – because let's face it, he's got a pretty high opinion of himself – thinks, "Is that all he offers me?" According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Balaam immediately plots his revenge. He decides that Balak will pay for this insult by being forced to offer up a ton of sacrifices the next day. He'll make Balak squirm in his own way, through a show of religious power.

It’s a fascinating little snapshot, isn’t it? We see political maneuvering, blatant attempts at influencing perception, and… well, let's just say less-than-generous hospitality. It makes you wonder: how often are we shown a carefully curated version of reality, designed to provoke a specific reaction? And how often do we take the bait?