Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Numbers 23:25 mean?
A: In Numbers 23:25, King Balak tells Balaam not to curse or bless the Jewish people. Balak had hired Balaam to curse the Israelites, but after seeing that Balaam could only bless them (as Hashem commanded), Balak became frustrated and told him to at least refrain from blessing them if he couldn't curse them. This shows how determined Balak was to harm the Jewish people, even if it meant just preventing blessings from coming their way.
Q: Why is this verse important in the Torah?
A: This verse is important because it demonstrates Hashem's protection over the Jewish people. Despite Balak's efforts and Balaam's reputation as a powerful prophet for hire, Hashem prevented any harm from coming to the Israelites. The Talmud (Berachot 7a) discusses how Balaam's attempts to curse Israel were transformed into blessings, showing that no human can override Hashem's will for His chosen people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Balak's command to Balaam?
A: We learn that when people are determined to harm others, they may resort to trying to withhold good even if they can't directly cause harm. The Midrash teaches that this reflects the persistent nature of antisemitism throughout history. However, the story ultimately shows that Hashem protects His people and can turn intended curses into blessings.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse reminds us that just as Hashem protected the Jewish people from Balaam's curses, He continues to watch over us today. The Rambam teaches that we should have faith in Hashem's protection, even when others wish us harm. Additionally, it teaches us to be careful with our speech - just as blessings and curses have power in the Torah, our words today have significant impact.
Q: Why couldn't Balaam curse the Jewish people?
A: Rashi explains that Balaam couldn't curse the Jewish people because Hashem would not allow it. Balaam himself says earlier (Numbers 23:8) 'How can I curse whom G-d has not cursed?' This shows that no human curse can affect those whom Hashem has chosen to bless. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) discusses how Balaam's power was limited by Divine will.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Bamidbar 23:25) occurs during the episode where Balak, king of Moab, repeatedly attempts to persuade Balaam to curse the Israelites. After Balaam's first two attempts result in blessings instead of curses, Balak becomes frustrated and instructs Balaam to neither curse nor bless the Israelites, effectively telling him to remain silent.
Balak's Frustration
Rashi explains that Balak's statement reflects his growing desperation. Initially, Balak had hired Balaam specifically to curse Israel (Bamidbar 22:6), but after witnessing Balaam repeatedly bless them instead, Balak concludes that any further attempts might only bring more blessings upon Israel. Therefore, he commands Balaam to refrain from any further prophetic utterances.
The Power of Speech
The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:19) highlights the significance of Balak's instruction as an acknowledgment of the power of speech—particularly the words of a prophet like Balaam. Balak recognizes that even if Balaam cannot curse Israel, his words still carry divine weight and could inadvertently benefit them. This aligns with the broader Jewish understanding of the potency of speech, as seen in the creation narrative (Bereshit 1) where the world is brought into being through divine speech.
Balaam's Prophetic Limitation
Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 7:1) discusses the nature of prophecy and explains that a true prophet cannot alter the divine will. Balaam, despite his prophetic abilities, was constrained by Hashem's decree that Israel be blessed. Balak's command to remain silent underscores the futility of attempting to manipulate divine will through prophecy.
Key Lessons