This week’s parsha is parshas Balak. We wish to present to our royal audience a startling passage in the Zohar hakadosh (Bechukosai 112a); it behooves all Jews to be familiar with what it says. In this week’s haftarah from the navi Michah, HKB”H requests of Yisrael in no uncertain terms (Michah 6, 5): "עמי זכר נא מה יעץ בלק מלך מואב ומה ענה אותו בלעם בן בעור מן השטים עד הגלגל למען דעת צדקות ה'"—my people, please remember what Balak, King of Moav, schemed, and what Bilam son of Beor answered him, from Shittim to Gilgal—so that you may realize the righteous acts of Hashem.
The Zohar makes a startling assertion: Although we cry out and plead with HKB”H daily to end this galus, He does not heed our supplications, because we neglect to fulfill His request: “My people, please remember what Balak King of Moav schemed.”
Here is a summary of the passage: HKB”H urges Yisrael to remember what Balak plotted. Woe that we scream daily and weep bitterly (Eichah 5, 1): “Remember, Hashem, what has befallen us!” and (Tehillim 137, 7): “Remember, Hashem, the offspring of Edom” (who destroyed Yerushalayim). Yet, HKB”H does not wish to gratify our requests, because we do not fulfill His request. Hence, we continue to suffer and cry out to Him.
According to the passuk, in addition to remembering Balak’s scheme, we are also required “to acknowledge the righteous acts of Hashem.” Here is a pertinent passage in the Gemara (A.Z. 4b):
"אמר רבי אלעזר אמר להן הקדוש ברוך הוא לישראל, עמי ראו כמה צדקות עשיתי עמכם שלא כעסתי עליכם כל אותן הימים, שאם כעסתי עליכם לא נשתייר מעובדי כוכבים משונאיהם של ישראל שריד ופליט, והיינו דקאמר ליה בלעם לבלק מה אקוב לא קבה אל ומה אזעם לא זעם ה', וכמה זעמו רגע... רגע כמימריה, ומנלן דרגע הוה ריתחיה דכתיב כי רגע באפו חיים ברצונו, ואיבעית אימא מהכא חבי כמעט רגע עד יעבור זעם".
Rabbi Elazar said: HKB”H said to Yisrael: My nation! Observe how many benevolences I performed for you in that I did not become angry in the days of the wicked Bilam. For had I become angry with you, no remnant whatsoever would have remained from the enemies of Yisrael (a euphemism for the Jews themselves). And this is the meaning of that which Bilam said to Balak (Bamidbar 23, 8): “How can I curse? G-d has not cursed. And how can I anger? Hashem has not become angry.” And how long does His anger last? “Rega” (a moment) . . . A moment is equal to the amount of time it takes to say “rega.” And from where do we know that He is angry for a moment? For it is stated (Tehillim 30, 6): “For His anger endures but a moment (‘rega’); His favor extends for a lifetime.” Or if you prefer, say it is derived from here (Yeshayah 26, 20): “Hide for a moment (‘rega’) until anger passes.”
Since it is the nature of Torah to be elucidated from seventy different perspectives, we will endeavor to fulfill the wish of HKB”H—to examine what Balak schemed to do to Yisrael and also to recognize the righteous acts the Almighty performed on our behalf, i.e., not becoming angry for even a “rega” at that time. For, had He become angry, the people of Yisrael would have been wiped out, chas v’shalom.
