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<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>From: Richard Wolberg <A href="mailto:cantorwolberg@cox.net">cantorwolberg@cox.net</A><BR></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>>> 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...<< </FONT></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV>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!! </DIV>
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<DIV>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.)</DIV>
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<DIV>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.</DIV>
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<DIV>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.</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT lang=0 color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"><B><BR>--Toby Katz<BR>================</FONT><FONT lang=0 color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"></B><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>_____________________</FONT></DIV></DIV>
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