RABBI DAVID ETENGOFF: PARASHAT HASHAVUAH
  • Blog: Rabbi David Etengoff: Parashat HaShavuah
  • Sefer Bereishit 5782&5783
  • Sefer Shemot 5782&5783
  • Sefer Vayikra 5782&5783
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5782&5783
  • Sefer Devarim 5782&5783
  • Sefer Bereishit 5780& 5781
  • Sefer Shemot 5780&5781
  • Sefer Vayikra 5780&5781
  • Sefer Bamidbar 578&5781
  • Sefer Devarim 578&5781
  • Sefer Bereishit 5778&5779
  • Sefer Shemot 5778&5779
  • Sefer Vayikra 5778&5779
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5778&5779
  • Sefer Devarim 5778&5779
  • Sefer Bereishit 5776&5777
  • Sefer Bereishit 5774&5775
  • Sefer Bereishit 5772&5773
  • Sefer Bereishit 5771&5770
  • Sefer Shemot 5776&5777
  • Sefer Shemot 5774&5775
  • Sefer Shemot 5772&5773
  • Sefer Shemot 5771&5770
  • Sefer Vayikra 5776&5777
  • Sefer Vayikra 5774&5775
  • Sefer Vayikra 5772&5773
  • Sefer Vayikra 5771&5770
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5776&5777
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5774&5775
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5772&5773
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5771&5770
  • Sefer Devarim 5776&5777
  • Sefer Devarim 5774&5775
  • Sefer Devarim 5772&5773
  • Sefer Devarim 5771&5770

7/2/2017

​Parashat Balak 5777, 2017: "Blessings and Curses Revisited"

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
​
 
Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chaim Mordechai Hakohen ben Natan Yitzchak, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Avraham Yechezkel ben Yaakov Halevy, Shayna Yehudit bat Avraham Manes and Rivka, the refuah shlaimah of Devorah bat Chana, Shoshana Elka bat Etel Dina and Yitzhak Akiva ben Malka, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
 
Our parasha contains one of the best-known pasukim (verses) and berachot (blessings) given to the Jewish people, “How goodly (mah tovu) are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!” (Sefer Bamidbar 24:5, this and all Bible translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) This verse has been part of our tefilot (prayers) since Gaonic times (6th-11th centuries CE). A telling example of this inclusion is found in Rav Amram Gaon’s 9th century work, Seder Rav Amram Gaon: “Upon entering a synagogue, one should say, ‘How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!’” (Blessings and Requests, s.v. hanichnas l’bait) Moreover, and closer to our own time, the highly respected halachist, Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829­ 1908), codified this practice in his work, Aruch HaShulchan: “The text of prayers preceding Baruch She’amar [introductory prayer to Pesukei d’Zimra] is printed in prayer books: When [a person] enters a synagogue, he should say “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob.” (Orech Chaim I:46:16) It should be noted that Rav Epstein based his statement on earlier poskim (halachic decisors) such as the Maharil (1365-1427) and Rabbi Moshe Isserles (1530-1572) as found in his work Darchei Moshe on the Tur.

In contrast, according to Rabbi Johanan’s view in the Talmud Bavli, Balaam’s “blessing” was actually a curse in disguise, uttered for the sole purpose of denying our people houses of worship and study (“tents”) and a long-term political existence (“dwelling places”):
 
R. Johanan said: From the blessings of that wicked man [i.e. Balaam] you may learn his intentions [to actually bring evil upon them]. Thus he wished to curse them that they [the Jewish people] should possess no synagogues or houses of Torah learning, [this is deduced from,] “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob,” - that the Divine Presence should not rest upon them, “and your dwelling places, O Israel,” - that their kingdom should not endure… (Sanhedrin 105b, translation, The Soncino Talmud, with my emendations)
 
Rabbi Johanan’s position was strongly endorsed by the Maharshal (Rabbi Shlomo Luria, 1510-1573) in a responsum:

And in the morning when I enter the synagogue, I begin with the verse, “But I, with Your great loving-kindness, shall enter Your House; I shall prostrate myself toward Your Holy Temple in the fear of You.” (Sefer Tehillim 5:8) I, therefore skip the [standard] first verse, “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob…” since this was uttered by Balaam – and he said it as a curse.” (Responsa Maharshal, number 64, translation my own)
 
It should be noted that this line of reasoning was apparently followed, as well, by Rabbi David Abudarham (flourished 1340) in the highly influential study of the siddur that bears his name, wherein Mah Tovu is not included as part of the liturgy. In addition, it is absent in the Kol Bo, an anonymous and prominent work composed by one of the Rishonim who likely lived during the 14th century.
 
If such significant figures in the history of Halacha opposed the daily recitation of Mah Tovu, why was it subsequently integrated into our daily prayer experience? HaRav Yosef Tzvi Rimon, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, suggests that Rabbi Abba b. Kahana’s analysis, which follows Rabbi Johanan’s above-cited statement in Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin, offers us the key to answering our question:

All of them [i.e. the blessings] reverted to a curse, except in regard to the synagogues and yeshivot, for it is written, “But the L-rd, your G-d, did not want to listen to Balaam. So the L-rd, your G-d, transformed the curse into a blessing for you, because the L-rd, your G-d, loves you” (Sefer Devarim 23:6) - the curse [pursuant to the synagogues and yeshivot], but not the curses. (Translation, The Soncino Talmud, with my emendations)
 
Rav Rimon explains this passage in the following manner:

Only the blessing of “How goodly (mah tovu) are your tents, O Jacob” remained throughout the generations. This blessing, in its simplest terms refers to the tents of the Jewish people. Our Sages of blessed memory, however, understood that the blessing, in actuality, refers to the synagogues and yeshivot of our nation. The Gemara states in their regard that the initial curse was not fulfilled. Moreover, in each and every generation, synagogues and yeshivot have steadfastly stood in the midst of our nation – even during the most difficult of times. Therefore, it is quite logical to suggest that we say “Mah Tovu” precisely because this prayer of Balaam was never turned in to evil – even unto our own historical moment. (http://jobkatif.org.il/balak-2/, translation and underlining my own)
 
Next, Rav Rimon builds upon this explanation and offers us a truly inspirational message:

Moreover, it is possible that this verse [i.e. mah tovu] comes to strengthen us when we enter a synagogue for it proclaims, “No person will ever be able to destroy and diminish the eternality of the Jewish people.” This is so, [for we see] that even in the instance wherein someone attempted to harm and to curse us – his efforts came to naught due to Hashem turning his curse into a blessing. As the text states: “So the L-rd, your G-d, transformed the curse into a blessing for you, because the L-rd, your G-d, loves you.” (Sefer Devarim 23:6) The Holy One Blessed be He loves us and ever worries about our fate. In addition, it is possible that we say this verse in order to enable us to recognize Hashem’s favorable vision of His nation – so that we know that it is ever His will to bless and never to curse us. (Bolding appears in the original Hebrew text)
 
According to Rav Rimon, Mah Tovu emerges as a spiritual rallying cry for our people and a constant reminder of Hashem’s steadfast love for us. Moreover, it can serve as our watchword as we face the unceasing trials and tribulations of living in a world that is far too often radically at odds with all that Hashem deems to be righteous and holy.
 
May the Almighty ever look favorably upon us and fulfill His stirring words in the Birkat Kohanim: “May the L-rd bless you and watch over you. May the L-rd cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May the L-rd raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.” (Sefer Bamidbar 6-24-26) V’chane yihi ratzon.
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org They may also be found on YUTorah.org using the search criteria of Etengoff and the parasha’s name.

The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com.

*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Megillat Esther may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd
 
*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3)

Share

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

Details

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Author

    Talmid of Rabbi Soloveitchik zatzal

    Categories

    All
    Parashat Hashavuah

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Blog: Rabbi David Etengoff: Parashat HaShavuah
  • Sefer Bereishit 5782&5783
  • Sefer Shemot 5782&5783
  • Sefer Vayikra 5782&5783
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5782&5783
  • Sefer Devarim 5782&5783
  • Sefer Bereishit 5780& 5781
  • Sefer Shemot 5780&5781
  • Sefer Vayikra 5780&5781
  • Sefer Bamidbar 578&5781
  • Sefer Devarim 578&5781
  • Sefer Bereishit 5778&5779
  • Sefer Shemot 5778&5779
  • Sefer Vayikra 5778&5779
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5778&5779
  • Sefer Devarim 5778&5779
  • Sefer Bereishit 5776&5777
  • Sefer Bereishit 5774&5775
  • Sefer Bereishit 5772&5773
  • Sefer Bereishit 5771&5770
  • Sefer Shemot 5776&5777
  • Sefer Shemot 5774&5775
  • Sefer Shemot 5772&5773
  • Sefer Shemot 5771&5770
  • Sefer Vayikra 5776&5777
  • Sefer Vayikra 5774&5775
  • Sefer Vayikra 5772&5773
  • Sefer Vayikra 5771&5770
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5776&5777
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5774&5775
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5772&5773
  • Sefer Bamidbar 5771&5770
  • Sefer Devarim 5776&5777
  • Sefer Devarim 5774&5775
  • Sefer Devarim 5772&5773
  • Sefer Devarim 5771&5770