Parsha Math: The Merit of Balak - Forty Two
(Nazir 23a) Rav Yehudah in the name of Rav teaches that a person should always engage in the study of Torah and the fulfillment of Mitzvos, even when his motives are insincere ("she'Lo Lishmah"), because through the act of performing the Mitzvos with insincere motives, he eventually will perform them with sincere motives ("Lishmah"). This concept is derived from the conduct of Balak, who offered 42 sacrifices to HaShem with intent to endear HaShem to help him destroy the Jewish people. In return for his Mitzvah "she'Lo Lishmah," Balak merited to have Ruth among his descendants.
What is the connection between Balak's 42 sacrifices and the reward he received, the privilege of being the forebear of David ha'Melech, the greatest king of Yisrael? (dafyomi.co.il)
The number of Balak's sacrifices (42), is accounted for in Balak's reward. Balak's 42 sacrifices were offered at three different locations and times, and each occasion involved fourteen sacrifices (see Bamidbar 23:1, 23:14, 23:29). Fourteen is the Gematriya of the name "David"!
The years of David's life may be divided into three periods: before he was anointed as king, the seven years he ruled in Chevron only over the tribe of Yehudah, and the 33 years he ruled in Yerushalayim over the united kingdom of Yisrael. Perhaps the three sets of sacrifices (fourteen in each set) offered by Balak corresponded to the three stages in the development of David ha'Melech's kingship.
Further, the prophet relates (Shmuel I 13:1) that Shaul ha'Melech, who ruled over Yisrael for two years before David ha'Melech was anointed, sinned against HaShem in the first year of his reign (according to Rashi's interpretation of the verse). According to Seder Olam (ch. 13), it was at that point that the prophet Shmuel went to anoint David as king of Yisrael (see Shmuel I, ch. 16). Accordingly, David was anointed as king for two years before he "officially" ascended to the throne at Chevron. When those two years are added to the total length of David ha'Melech’s reign, it emerges that David ha'Melech was king of Yisrael for a total of exactly 42 years! This is the connection between Balak's acts (his sacrifice of 42 animals) and his reward (his descendant was anointed as king of Yisrael for 42 years).
Circle which items are connected to the Number 42
- Journeys in the Desert
- Cities of Refuge in Eretz Yisrael
- Cities of the Leviim in Eretz Yisrael
- אמא (mother)
- יוכבד (Moshe’s mother)
- אביגיל (One of Dovid’s wives)
- יד ה' (Hand of G-d)
- מה (What)
- לבי (My heart)
- דל (Poor person)
- בם (in them like “speak in them”)
- יחידי (my unique one)
- כבודי (my honored one)
