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Numbers 22:30 - Animal rebukes prophet's blindness

Numbers 22:30 - במדבר 22:30

Hebrew Text

וַתֹּאמֶר הָאָתוֹן אֶל־בִּלְעָם הֲלוֹא אָנֹכִי אֲתֹנְךָ אֲשֶׁר־רָכַבְתָּ עָלַי מֵעוֹדְךָ עַד־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה הַהַסְכֵּן הִסְכַּנְתִּי לַעֲשׂוֹת לְךָ כֹּה וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא׃

English Translation

And the ass said to Bil῾am, Am not I thy ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life to this day? was I ever wont to do so to thee? And he said, No,

Transliteration

Vatomer ha'aton el-bil'am halo anochi atoncha asher-rachavta alai me'odcha ad-hayom hazeh hasken hiskanti la'asot lecha ko vayomer lo

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֹּ֨אמֶר הָאָת֜וֹן אֶל־בִּלְעָ֗ם הֲלוֹא֩ אָנֹכִ֨י אֲתֹֽנְךָ֜ אֲשֶׁר־רָכַ֣בְתָּ עָלַ֗י מֵעֽוֹדְךָ֙ עַד־הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה הַֽהַסְכֵּ֣ן הִסְכַּ֔נְתִּי לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לְךָ֖ כֹּ֑ה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לֹֽא׃
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר הָאָת֜וֹן אֶל־בִּלְעָ֗ם הֲלוֹא֩ אָנֹכִ֨י אֲתֹֽנְךָ֜ אֲשֶׁר־רָכַ֣בְתָּ עָלַ֗י מֵעֽוֹדְךָ֙ עַד־הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה הַֽהַסְכֵּ֣ן הִסְכַּ֔נְתִּי לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לְךָ֖ כֹּ֑ה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לֹֽא׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Speaking Donkey in Parashat Balak

The verse describes the miraculous event where Bil'am's donkey speaks to him, questioning his harsh treatment. This extraordinary occurrence is laden with theological and ethical lessons according to Orthodox Jewish commentators.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bamidbar 22:30) notes that the donkey emphasizes its lifelong faithful service to Bil'am ("upon which you have ridden all your life") to highlight the injustice of Bil'am's beating. The donkey's rhetorical question ("was I ever wont to do so to thee?") underscores that its unusual behavior (stopping and pressing against the wall) was clearly out of character, indicating divine intervention.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:14) explains that the donkey was granted temporary power of speech to humble Bil'am, showing that even animals recognize Hashem's will when he refuses to.
  • Some commentaries suggest the donkey's speech was a rebuke to Bil'am's spiritual blindness - if even an animal could perceive the angel, how much more should Bil'am have been aware.

Philosophical Implications

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:42) discusses this as an example of temporary divine suspension of natural law to convey a prophetic message. The Maharal (Gevurot Hashem ch. 13) adds that this miracle demonstrated how Hashem controls all creation, even animals' speech, when necessary for His purposes.

Ethical Lessons

The Kli Yakar highlights how the donkey's words teach proper hakarat hatov (recognition of good) - even an animal expects gratitude for years of service. This contrasts with Bil'am's ingratitude toward both his donkey and ultimately toward Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Avodah Zarah 4b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about Balaam's character and his donkey speaking to him, illustrating divine intervention and the uniqueness of the event.
📖 Sanhedrin 105b
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing Balaam's prophetic abilities and the miracle of his donkey speaking, highlighting the power of God to use any means to communicate His will.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the donkey speak to Balaam in Numbers 22:30?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:14), the donkey spoke to show Balaam that Hashem controls all creation, even animals. It was a miracle to stop Balaam from going to curse the Jewish people, proving that his power of speech came only from Hashem's will.
Q: What is the significance of the donkey reminding Balaam that it carried him for years?
A: The donkey's words (Numbers 22:30) highlight Balaam's ingratitude and stubbornness. As Ramban explains, the donkey had served Balaam faithfully, yet he was ready to harm it for obeying Hashem. This rebuked Balaam for failing to recognize divine intervention in his life.
Q: How could a donkey speak in the Torah? Doesn't this defy nature?
A: The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 5b) teaches that this was one of ten supernatural events created during twilight on the sixth day of Creation, reserved for specific moments in history. The Maharal explains that such miracles occur when needed to teach profound lessons about Hashem's providence.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the talking donkey story?
A: The Sforno teaches that this episode demonstrates how even animals recognize Hashem's will when humans (like Balaam) refuse to. It reminds us to be attuned to divine messages in our lives and not be spiritually 'blind' like Balaam who needed a donkey to rebuke him.
Q: Why didn't Balaam seem surprised when his donkey spoke?
A: Rashi (Numbers 22:30) notes that Balaam was so angry he didn't initially realize the miracle. The Kli Yakar adds that prophets sometimes experienced altered states during divine communication, making him less shocked. This shows how arrogance can blind even great individuals to obvious miracles.