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Numbers 22:26 - Divine path blocks Balaam's escape

Numbers 22:26 - במדבר 22:26

Hebrew Text

וַיּוֹסֶף מַלְאַךְ־יְהוָה עֲבוֹר וַיַּעֲמֹד בְּמָקוֹם צָר אֲשֶׁר אֵין־דֶּרֶךְ לִנְטוֹת יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול׃

English Translation

And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

Transliteration

Vayosef mal'ach-Adonai avor vaya'amod bamakom tzar asher ein-derech lintot yamin usmol.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיּ֥וֹסֶף מַלְאַךְ־יְהֹוָ֖ה עֲב֑וֹר וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙ בְּמָק֣וֹם צָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֛ר אֵֽין־דֶּ֥רֶךְ לִנְט֖וֹת יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹֽאול׃
וַיּ֥וֹסֶף מַלְאַךְ־יְהֹוָ֖ה עֲב֑וֹר וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙ בְּמָק֣וֹם צָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֛ר אֵֽין־דֶּ֥רֶךְ לִנְט֖וֹת יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹֽאול׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 22:26) appears in the narrative of Balaam's journey to curse the Israelites, where the angel of Hashem intervenes to prevent him. The angel initially appears to Balaam's donkey in a narrow path, blocking his way. The verse emphasizes the constricted nature of the place, symbolizing Balaam's spiritual and moral confinement.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments that the angel stood in a place where there was no room to turn right or left, indicating that Balaam was being forced to confront the divine will directly. Rashi explains that this was a sign to Balaam that his path was against Hashem's command, and he had no alternative but to submit.

Symbolism of the Narrow Place

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12) elaborates on the symbolism of the narrow place (makom tzar):

  • It represents the moral and spiritual constraints placed upon Balaam, who sought to circumvent Hashem's will.
  • The inability to turn right or left signifies that Balaam had no legitimate justification or alternative path—his mission was fundamentally flawed.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 1:15) discusses the nature of divine intervention through angels. He explains that the angel's appearance in such a confined space was a prophetic vision meant to convey a clear message: Balaam's free will was being challenged, and he was being given an opportunity to repent.

Teachings from the Talmud

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) discusses Balaam's stubbornness in this episode, noting that even when confronted with clear divine opposition, he persisted in his desire to curse Israel. The narrow path serves as a metaphor for the moral blindness of one who refuses to heed divine warnings.

Practical Lesson

This verse teaches that when a person is determined to pursue a wrongful path, Hashem may place obstacles in their way to guide them back. The "narrow place" serves as a reminder that true freedom comes from aligning one's will with divine wisdom, not from stubborn defiance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 22:26 mean when it says the angel stood in a 'narrow place'?
A: According to Rashi, the 'narrow place' symbolizes a situation where Balaam had no choice but to confront the truth—he could not avoid the angel's message by turning aside. This teaches that sometimes Hashem places obstacles to guide us back to the right path when we stubbornly resist.
Q: Why did the angel block Balaam's path in Numbers 22:26?
A: The Midrash explains that the angel blocked Balaam's way to stop him from cursing the Jewish people, as his intentions were against Hashem's will. The Rambam adds that this shows divine intervention to protect Israel, even through seemingly natural events (like the donkey's actions).
Q: What lesson can we learn from the angel standing in the narrow place?
A: The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 4b) derives that when a person insists on sinning, Hashem may create unavoidable obstacles to awaken them to repentance. The 'narrow place' reminds us that we should seek Hashem's guidance rather than stubbornly pursuing our own desires.
Q: How does the concept of 'no way to turn right or left' apply today?
A: The Sforno teaches that this verse symbolizes moments when moral choices are clear—we cannot justify compromising Torah values ('turning right or left'). Today, it reminds us to stand firm in mitzvot even when societal pressures make evasion seem tempting.