Parshas Balak 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
ואלכה אולי יקרה ה' לקראתי ודבר מה יראני והגדתי לך וילך שפי ... (כג-ג)
Balak, the King of Moav, hired Bilaam for an exorbitant fee to come and curse the Yidden. The posuk says he went "שפי", stealthily. Rashi explains that he went “quietly.” The Tzror Hamor explains that Bilaam endeavored to approach the Jewish Nation unobserved so that he’d be able to catch them off guard and thus be able to harm them. But he failed to realize, and I quote: "והוא לא היה יודע שיש להם שומר ישראל לא ינום ולא יישן". Klal Yisroel at the same time, was oblivious to the dangers lurking just around the corner. Yet, as the posuk in Tehillim says, "שומר פתאים ה'". Hashem watches over the guileless.
In fact, the Paneach Raza says that the word "שפי" is an acronym for "שומר פתאים ה'". Interestingly, the Tzror Hamor himself says that the word "שפי" stands for "שה פזורה ישראל". Meaning, Bilaam wanted to create a פירוד, a sense of discord, a lack of unity, amongst the Yidden. He knew that if Klal Yisroel is not united, it’s the ideal time to strike.
How timely is this thought. The perils that the Goyim so quietly formulate to harm us; the underground tunnels, the ambushes, the land mines, would cause indescribable damage, destruction, and pain, if not for our Divine Protector - the paradigm "שומר ישראל". In Tehillim it says, "כל גוים הללו את ה'". Why are they praising Hashem? The answer is simple. Only our enemies know their devious plans for us, and see our Heavenly “Iron Dome” protecting us from their nefarious tactics, of which we are often blissfully oblivious. At the same time, we learn that we mustn’t be a שה פזורה, a nation divided. Rather, each of us should strive to strengthen ourselves in achdus. And there isn’t a more auspicious time to work on this then now, as Shiva Assar B’Tammuz is the onset of the three weeks, known as ימי בין המצרים.
May Hakadosh Boruch Hu continue showing us his constant and vigilant watch, protecting Acheinu Kol Bnei Yisroel.