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Numbers 22:33 - Angel spares Balaam, donkey saved

Numbers 22:33 - במדבר 22:33

Hebrew Text

וַתִּרְאַנִי הָאָתוֹן וַתֵּט לְפָנַי זֶה שָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים אוּלַי נָטְתָה מִפָּנַי כִּי עַתָּה גַּם־אֹתְכָה הָרַגְתִּי וְאוֹתָהּ הֶחֱיֵיתִי׃

English Translation

and the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, I would now have slain thee, and saved her alive.

Transliteration

Vatirani ha'aton vatet lefanai zeh shalosh regalim ulai nateta mipanai ki atah gam-otkha haragti ve'otah hecheyeti.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּרְאַ֙נִי֙ הָֽאָת֔וֹן וַתֵּ֣ט לְפָנַ֔י זֶ֖ה שָׁלֹ֣שׁ רְגָלִ֑ים אוּלַי֙ נָטְתָ֣ה מִפָּנַ֔י כִּ֥י עַתָּ֛ה גַּם־אֹתְכָ֥ה הָרַ֖גְתִּי וְאוֹתָ֥הּ הֶחֱיֵֽיתִי׃
וַתִּרְאַ֙נִי֙ הָֽאָת֔וֹן וַתֵּ֣ט לְפָנַ֔י זֶ֖ה שָׁלֹ֣שׁ רְגָלִ֑ים אוּלַי֙ נָטְתָ֣ה מִפָּנַ֔י כִּ֥י עַתָּ֛ה גַּם־אֹתְכָ֥ה הָרַ֖גְתִּי וְאוֹתָ֥הּ הֶחֱיֵֽיתִי׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 22:33) is part of the narrative involving Bilam and his donkey, where the donkey miraculously sees an angel blocking their path and avoids it three times. Bilam, unaware of the angel, strikes the donkey until Hashem opens his eyes to see the angel.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the donkey saw the angel, which Bilam could not perceive, and therefore turned aside each time to avoid the angel's sword. The phrase "זֶה שָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים" ("these three times") refers to the three instances where the donkey swerved. Rashi emphasizes that the donkey's actions were divinely guided to teach Bilam a lesson in humility and to demonstrate that even an animal can perceive divine intervention when a human fails to do so.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed) discusses this episode as an example of divine providence. He notes that the donkey's behavior was a miraculous sign to Bilam, showing that Hashem controls all creatures, even animals, to fulfill His will. The donkey's perception of the angel underscores that divine messages can come through unexpected means.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:14) elaborates that the donkey was created during the six days of creation specifically for this moment, highlighting the precision of divine providence.
  • Another Midrash (Tanchuma Balak 8) suggests that the donkey's ability to see the angel symbolizes that sometimes the simplest beings can recognize truth when those who are supposedly wise remain blind.

Meaning of "I Would Have Slain Thee"

The angel tells Bilam that if the donkey had not turned aside, Bilam would have been killed, and the donkey spared. This underscores the severity of Bilam's misguided intentions to curse the Jewish people. The donkey's life was preserved as a rebuke to Bilam, showing that even an animal acting according to divine will is more valuable than a human opposing it.

Lessons from the Verse

  • Divine Intervention: The episode teaches that Hashem intervenes in the natural order to guide events according to His plan.
  • Humility: Bilam, a renowned prophet, is humbled by a donkey, illustrating that wisdom alone does not guarantee righteousness.
  • Moral Responsibility: The angel's rebuke reminds us that actions contrary to divine will carry severe consequences.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Avodah Zarah 44b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of idolatry and the recognition of divine intervention, illustrating how even animals can perceive divine presence.
📖 Sanhedrin 105b
The verse is cited in a discussion about Balaam and his donkey, emphasizing the theme of divine intervention and the recognition of God's will by creatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Balaam's donkey see the angel when he couldn't?
A: According to Rashi (Numbers 22:33), Hashem temporarily opened the donkey's eyes to see the angel to teach Balaam a lesson in humility. Sometimes animals can perceive spiritual realities that humans cannot when it serves Hashem's purpose.
Q: What is the significance of the donkey turning aside three times?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:14) explains that the three times correspond to the three times Balaam tried to curse the Jewish people. The donkey's actions were a warning that his path was wrong, just as his attempts to curse would fail three times.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse about how Hashem communicates with us?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:3) teaches that this episode shows Hashem sometimes sends messages through unusual means when people aren't listening properly. Just as Balaam needed his donkey to get his attention, we must be open to recognizing Hashem's guidance in all aspects of life.
Q: Why does the angel say he would have killed Balaam but saved the donkey?
A: Rashi explains (Numbers 22:33) that the donkey was more righteous than Balaam at that moment - while Balaam was intent on cursing Israel against Hashem's will, the donkey was faithfully obeying Hashem's command by stopping. This teaches that righteousness depends on actions, not just one's status.