[Avodah] THE TALKING DONKEY

[Gil Winokur]

Regarding Rb'n Toby's question on Bilaam's not being startled when his 
donkey talks, one must look at it from Bilaam's perspective.  As a Navi, 
he would be accustomed to hearing that which others did not.  The 
language used is "pi haaton".   In contrast, we preface our amidah with 
the phrase "H' sfasai tiftach..."  which refers to the usage of the lips 
for clarity and articulation, which are the sine qua non of speech.  A 
donkey opens its mouth and brays.  The implication of "pi haaton" may be 
that the donkey brayed, and Bilaam had so lowered himself that he was 
able to understand it.  To Bilaam, it may not have seemed so outlandish.