The Parsha of Balak: Divine Intervention Then and Now!

This week’s parshah stands out so distinctly that the Talmud considers it almost as a separate book. It recounts a failed plot aimed at cursing the Jewish people to thwart their advancement into the land of Israel. According to the Talmud, this was likely not an isolated attempt. But why does the Torah highlight these failed plans, especially those that did not come to fruition?

The crux of the matter is that such failures become significant when they are the result of explicit divine intervention, as demonstrated in our parshah. Several Biblical authors emphasize this point, underscoring the importance of recognizing and being grateful for divine protection. One striking example is found in Michah 6:5, where it states, “My people, remember now what Balak king of Moav devised, and what Bila’am, the son of Be’or answered him… that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

However, grasping the significance of something that almost occurred but did not can be challenging. Imagine if we had learned after the fact that the Holocaust was narrowly averted. How would that knowledge impact us? While divine intervention is a key factor, it’s crucial to consider the context. For the Jewish people during their time in the desert, divine intervention was routine, a safeguard against natural obstacles. Thus, the story of Bila’am might not seem extraordinary in this light.

The Torah’s inclusion of the Bila’am episode suggests that we might overlook such stories, and with them, the gratitude they are meant to inspire. It encourages us to recognize that what we see is only the tip of the iceberg. For every instance of noticeable divine intervention, there are many more instances of unseen protection and favor.

This idea parallels recent events such as the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024. The thwarted attack, though dramatic and alarming, ultimately failed. The significance of this event lies not just in the plot itself but in the broader context of how such attempts are thwarted. Much like the failed curse against the Jewish people, the failure of this assassination attempt can be seen as a moment of divine intervention or, at the very least, as an event requiring our reflection on the unseen protections at play.

Just as the Jewish people are urged to remember the thwarted plans against them and express gratitude for divine protection, we too are invited to reflect on the broader implications of such events. The fact that an attack was prevented might not make headlines for long, but it underscores the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the layers of protection and intervention that often go unnoticed.

Michah’s message is clear: We must cultivate an awareness and appreciation of divine favor, not just during moments of clear miracles and crises, but also in everyday circumstances. Recognizing and valuing the good times, when calamities are averted and protections are granted without fanfare, requires effort but is deeply rewarding. It is a call to appreciate the full spectrum of divine kindness, from the overtly miraculous to the subtly sustaining, and to foster gratitude in all circumstances.