In this week’s parashah, the Moabite king, Balak, hires the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. However, once the prophet reaches the Israelites, he issues several blessings. This week, we’ll examine the enduring meaning of those blessings.
From the tops of the cliffs, I spy them.
From the hills I observe them.
They are a people that dwells apart,
And the nations make no designs for them.
Numbers 23:9
In many ways, Balaam’s first blessing articulates an eternal desire of the Jewish people – to remain distinct in our Jewish character and values while simultaneously escaping the scheming, scapegoating, and savagery that has followed that distinctiveness for millennia.
Throughout history, countless Jews have sought to avoid the malicious designs of other nations by abandoning their Jewish distinctiveness and fully integrating into other nations. Similarly, many among our people have tried throughout the millennia to fully separate ourselves from the world, hoping that in our isolation we could escape the notice of others. However, as history has revealed, neither option has proven sustainable; attempts at full integration as well as isolation have both been repeatedly disregarded by those who would make designs against us.
Only by acknowledging and embracing the distinctiveness of our culture, values, and history, while securing meaningful partnerships that also advance the needs of our neighboring communities, have Jews actualized Balaam’s first blessing: to dwell apart while avoiding the designs of others. Of course, there are times when such an approach becomes untenable. However we, as communities and as families, would be wise to consider which opportunities exist for us to celebrate our distinctiveness while joining hands in ennobling collaborations with our neighbors.
– Rabbi Josh Knobel