by Rabbi Josh Knobel
The arrest of American Jewish financier Jeffrey Epstein nearly ten days ago signaled a milestone for the winding, decades-long, stop-and-start journey to bring the alleged sexual predator to justice. Along the way, Epstein’s wealth and influence beguiled or coerced magazine editors and politicians alike: Fawning profiles in the New Yorker, Vanity Fair and other magazines suppressed emerging evidence of the billionaire’s misdeeds, while federal prosecutors in Miami handed him a non-prosecution deal in exchange for a 13-month sentence in 2008, scuttling an ongoing FBI investigation.
Though we don’t yet know what will happen with Epstein’s trial, his story illustrates the dangers of placing too much faith in the powers of human hierarchies. This week’s Torah portion, Balak, echoes these sentiments. At first, the gentile prophet-for-hire, Balaam, accepts Divine counsel, rejecting an invitation from the King of Moab to curse the Israelites. However, a second proposal, accompanied by distinguished officials and the promise of untold wealth, convinces Balaam to set forth. En route, Balaam ignores the signs gesturing him to reverse course, as he disregards the objections of his donkey and questions the appearance of a deadly emissary sent to warn him of the futility of his quest.
Ultimately, Balaam’s journey ends innocently when God forces the prophet to bless the Israelites. Unfortunately, the Divine inspiration that saves Balaam has arrived too late to alter the fortunes of Epstein, his enablers, or the myriad victims of his crimes. Yet, the warning offered by both tales rings true for Jews and gentiles alike: Though human power and influence may seem overwhelming, we must always privilege our obligations to human decency over our obligations to human authority.