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Numbers 22:23 - Divine vision humbles prophet

Numbers 22:23 - במדבר 22:23

Hebrew Text

וַתֵּרֶא הָאָתוֹן אֶת־מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה נִצָּב בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְחַרְבּוֹ שְׁלוּפָה בְּיָדוֹ וַתֵּט הָאָתוֹן מִן־הַדֶּרֶךְ וַתֵּלֶךְ בַּשָּׂדֶה וַיַּךְ בִּלְעָם אֶת־הָאָתוֹן לְהַטֹּתָהּ הַדָּרֶךְ׃

English Translation

And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Bil῾am smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

Transliteration

Va'tere ha'aton et mal'ach Adonai nitzav baderech ve'charbo shelufa be'yado va'tet ha'aton min haderech va'telech basadeh vayach Bilam et ha'aton lehatotah haderech.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֵּ֣רֶא הָאָתוֹן֩ אֶת־מַלְאַ֨ךְ יְהֹוָ֜ה נִצָּ֣ב בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ וְחַרְבּ֤וֹ שְׁלוּפָה֙ בְּיָד֔וֹ וַתֵּ֤ט הָֽאָתוֹן֙ מִן־הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיַּ֤ךְ בִּלְעָם֙ אֶת־הָ֣אָת֔וֹן לְהַטֹּתָ֖הּ הַדָּֽרֶךְ׃
וַתֵּ֣רֶא הָאָתוֹן֩ אֶת־מַלְאַ֨ךְ יְהֹוָ֜ה נִצָּ֣ב בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ וְחַרְבּ֤וֹ שְׁלוּפָה֙ בְּיָד֔וֹ וַתֵּ֤ט הָֽאָתוֹן֙ מִן־הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיַּ֤ךְ בִּלְעָם֙ אֶת־הָ֣אָת֔וֹן לְהַטֹּתָ֖הּ הַדָּֽרֶךְ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Donkey's Vision

Rashi (Bamidbar 22:23) explains that the donkey saw the angel of Hashem, which Bil'am did not see, because Hashem temporarily opened the donkey's eyes to perceive the spiritual realm. This demonstrates that even animals can receive divine revelation when it serves Hashem's purpose. The Midrash Tanchuma (Balak 6) further elaborates that the donkey was granted this vision to humble Bil'am and show that his prophetic abilities were not unique—even a beast could see what he could not.

The Significance of the Sword

The angel holding a drawn sword (חרבו שלופה) symbolizes judgment, as noted by Ramban (Bamidbar 22:23). The sword represents the imminent danger Bil'am was in due to his sinful intentions to curse the Jewish people. The Malbim adds that the sword was unsheathed to signify that the angel was ready to execute judgment if Bil'am persisted in his wrongful path.

The Donkey's Deviation and Bil'am's Response

The donkey turned aside into the field to avoid the angel, acting with more wisdom than Bil'am, who struck it in frustration. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 4b) comments that this incident was meant to teach Bil'am that his path was against Hashem's will. The donkey's actions were divinely guided to rebuke Bil'am, as the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12) states: "The mouth of the donkey was created at twilight of the sixth day of Creation" (Pirkei Avot 5:6)—meaning its ability to speak was preordained for this moment of divine reproof.

Lessons from the Incident

  • Divine Providence: Hashem controls all events, even the actions of animals, to fulfill His will (Rambam, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:9).
  • Humility: Bil'am, a renowned prophet, was outsmarted by his donkey to teach him humility (Sforno, Bamidbar 22:28).
  • Moral Blindness: Bil'am's inability to see the angel reflects his spiritual blindness, as he ignored the clear signs of divine disapproval (Kli Yakar, Bamidbar 22:23).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Avodah Zarah 4b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of Balaam's donkey and its ability to see the angel, contrasting human and animal perception.
📖 Sanhedrin 105b
The verse is cited in a broader discussion about Balaam's character and his interactions with his donkey, illustrating his moral failings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the donkey see the angel when Bil'am couldn't?
A: According to Rashi (Numbers 22:23), Hashem temporarily opened the donkey's eyes to see the angel as part of the divine plan to humble Bil'am and show him that his path was against Hashem's will. Bil'am, blinded by his arrogance and desire to curse Israel, couldn't see the angel until Hashem allowed it later (Numbers 22:31).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Bil'am hitting his donkey?
A: The Talmud (Avot 5:6) lists the donkey of Bil'am as one of things created just before Shabbat at twilight of Creation, teaching us that even animals can be instruments of Hashem's will. Bil'am's cruelty to his donkey - who was actually saving his life - teaches us about the dangers of anger and failing to recognize divine providence in our lives.
Q: Why was an angel blocking Bil'am's path?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12) explains that the angel was sent to prevent Bil'am from cursing the Jewish people. Even though Hashem had already told Bil'am not to go (Numbers 22:12), He allowed him to proceed while placing obstacles to give him opportunities to repent, showing Hashem's mercy even when dealing with wicked people.
Q: What does the drawn sword symbolize in this verse?
A: Ramban (Numbers 22:23) explains that the drawn sword symbolizes that the angel was ready to kill Bil'am if he persisted in his evil mission. The sword being drawn but not yet used represents that repentance was still possible - a recurring theme in Jewish thought about divine judgment always leaving room for teshuvah (repentance).
Q: How does this story about Bil'am apply to us today?
A: The Sages teach that we should learn from Bil'am's mistakes: 1) Not to be stubborn when Hashem makes His will clear (Pirkei Avot 5:19 contrasts Bil'am's evil eye with Avraham's good eye), 2) To recognize that sometimes obstacles in our path may be divine providence protecting us, and 3) That even animals can teach us lessons if we're open to seeing Hashem's hand in all things.