Not for Prophet

Categories: Balak

Art by Rivka Korf Studio

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY

We read a very interesting episode in this week’s Torah portion (Parshat Balak) regarding Balak, a king who feared the Jewish people and therefore hired Bala’am, a prophet, to curse them. Bala’am was unable to do so because, in keeping with the rules of prophecy, he opened his mouth and was only able to utter that which was divinely ordained. In an ironic twist, only blessings emanated.
One of the blessings Bala’am graced was, “How good are your tents, oh Jacob…” This has actually been placed in common liturgy in morning prayers; regardless of the messenger, the message is now quite popular! But what does it mean? Classically, we translate this blessing to show that the Jewish people had encamped in an especially modest way. Their tent entrances wouldn’t face another’s directly so as to ensure that people’s privacy was kept as such. But I saw something else that serves as a lesson. It wasn’t just that their entrances didn’t face another for modesty, but that ideally, we should not be looking “inside another’s tent.” This means that we should stay focused on our own lives, our own situations, (obviously not referring to caring about other rather) and not constantly be peering at another to see what they’re up to. In short, there’s no need to feel compelled to “keep up with the Joneses.” Sure, we can’t help but see on Instagram about someone’s recent vacation or new car, but we must realize that ideally, we must operate as did the Jews in the desert. To realize our own G-d-given potential, we are reminded to focus on ourselves and not on keeping up with our neighbors. This lesson will put us in a happier place as well. Good Shabbos!

Get in touch!

Whether you have a question, comment, or suggestion, we want to hear from you!

Contact Us

Recent blog posts

Like a Rock

TwitterFacebookLinkedinPrintemailA WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY We read a lot in the news about Israel. About issues that go on there and not all of them pleasant. Sure, there are those who are more critical and some who are more forgiving but somehow it always makes it to the top of the news feed. Something in this week’s Parsha… Read More

Read more

Weekly Roundup: July 4, 2025

TwitterFacebookLinkedinPrintemailFamily Fun June 2025 On Sunday our Junior Friends got together for Summer Family Fun!! We joined together for a morning of creative play, a singalong session and story time led by FC members Sammi and Rachel reading the story “We are all different, we are all the same”. Our morning wouldn’t have been complete without a visit from our… Read More

Read more

Follow the Leader

TwitterFacebookLinkedinPrintemailA WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT BY RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha, Korach, discusses Korach’s unsuccessful rebellion against his cousin Moshe; by G-d’s design, this Sunday we will also commemorate the 31st Yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, The Rebbe (for whom our son Mendy is named, and whose teachings inspired the establishment of The Friendship Circle). These two events, especially… Read More

Read more