[Avodah] TWO CHIDDUSHIM Chukas & Balak

[T613K at aol.com]

From: Richard Wolberg _cantorwolberg at cox.net_ 
(mailto:cantorwolberg at cox.net) 


>> We see in this week's portion that Bil'am strikes his donkey  three 
times, until God gives the power of speech to the  donkey...<<                   
                                                       

 
 
>>>>
 
You know what I always find the most amazing thing about this parsha?   
It's not that the donkey spoke, no.  It's that Bil'am answered!  That  he 
engaged his donkey in conversation!!  
 
He actually said to his donkey, "You mocked me!  If I had a sword in  my 
hand I would kill you!"  And then the donkey said back, "Come on, have I  ever 
acted this way before?"  And Bil'am answered her, "No."  (No  wonder the 
Gemara says she was not only his beast of burden, she was also his  
girlfriend.)
 
If your dog or cat talked to you, what would you do?!  Most people  would 
faint from terror!  And the rest would open one eye and check their  alarm 
clock to see if it's time to get up yet.
 
I haven't looked at the meforshim but does anybody comment on how strange  
it was for Bil'am to engage in conversation with his donkey?  Why does he  
act as if shmoozing with your donkey is a normal thing to do?  He doesn't  
show any sign of fear or remorse until he sees the angel.
 


--Toby Katz
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