Two Minute Torah Podcast

Balak 5770 by Jeff Rubin

Before Shrek's talking donkey, Mr. Ed or even Francis the Talking Mule came the grandmother of all talking equines, Balaam's ass from this week's Torah portion, Parshat Balak. The story of Balaam's ass is the centerpiece of a narrative that was deeply meaningful to the ancient Jewish people and remains an important part of daily Jewish life until today.

In the parsha, Balak, the king of Moab, sends for a magician, Balaam, to put a curse on the Israelites to prevent them from conquering his land. God speaks directly to Balaam and, at first, tells him not to go. God then reverses Himself and tells Balaam he can go, but only if he pronounces the words that God instructs him.

Balaam saddles his female donkey — an aton in Hebrew — and they begin their journey to see Balak. On the road, God sends a messenger — a malach — to block Balaam's path but only his donkey can see it. Three times the angel stops the donkey and three times Balaam beats the poor beast. Finally, the Torah says, God opens the mouth of the donkey and it says, "Have you not ridden me all your life? Have I ever done this to you before?" And with that, God enables Balaam to see the heavenly messenger.

Once again God instructs Balaam to only say the words God provides. Indeed, when Balaam reaches the king he praises the Israelites, proclaiming the famous line, "Mah tovu ohaleicha Yaakov, mishkanotecha Yisrael." "How good are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel."

The story of Balaam blessing the Israelites is mentioned three more times in the Bible — in Joshua, Judges and Micah — reflecting the importance of this brief narrative to our ancient people.

Why is it so important? Well it is a demonstration once again of God fulfilling his covenant to the children of Abraham to make them a numerous people in their own land. That is perhaps one reason why the rabbis included "Mah tovu" in the daily prayers.

Donkeys — with their loyalty, stubbornness and distinctive bray — have played an important part in life and literature since antiquity. Fables about talking donkeys can be found in the earliest collections of Greece and India. Balaam's ass provides an unexpected and endearing element in an important Biblical narrative. What a great way to ensure that this covenant story is remembered and retold by young and old for generations to come.

After all, this donkey made a believer out of Balaam.