This article was written by Yael Stochel, summer inchworm 2019
GrowTorah Core Value: Incubating Emunah
In Parshat Balak, Baalam's blessings are rich in natural imagery. They remind us of the connections between Torah learning and nature. How do the models from Baalam and midrashim reflect and strengthen what we do in the garden?
Lesson Title: Balaam's Brachot
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
In addition to watering our plants, how can we metaphorically "water" ourselves while working in the garden?
וכנגד ד' כתות אמר ד' דמיונים, כנגד כתו של שמואל אמר כנחלים נטיו שהם עושים כנחל הזה שנוטל מימיו ממקום למקום לשתות ממנו כמו כן כת זו שטורחין בעצמן להשקות צמא למים חיים, וכנגד כת ב' אמר כגנות עלי נהר כגן הזה שהוא נטוע וכל הרוצה ליהנות יבא ויהנה, גם מוליכים פירות ממנו וזנים הרחוקים כמו כן הם כת נטועה בלשכת הגזית וכל הרוצה ליהנות יבא ויהנה, גם פירותיהם הולכים למרחוק שהבאים לשם מתחכמין מהם ויוצאים להשקות צמאי תורה, וכן כתיב (ישעיהו ב׳:ג׳) כי מציון תצא תורה וגו', וכנגד כת הג' הלומדין לעצמן ואין בהם כח להשפיע לזולת אמר כאהלים נטע ה' כיעקב איש תם יושב אוהלים ללמוד לעצמו, ואמר לשון נטיעה כנטיעה הזאת שכל שהיא מתישנת מוסיף שרשים ואחיזה ביניקתה כמו כן לומדי תורה כל זמן שמאריך בעסק התורה תוסיף להשתרש נפשו בה, וכנגד כת הד' אמר כארזים עלי מים ארזים רמז לעשירי עם בעלי קומה בעלי כח וגבורה בעולם הזה אבל אין עושים פירות בתורה לפי שאינם לומדים בתורה:
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
How is our garden similar to the garden of the tzaddik?
- planted as a fixture, spreading Torah
§ With regard to this issue, the Gemara relates that the Sages sent the following message from there, i.e., Eretz Yisrael, to Babylonia: Be careful with regard to grime, as it can lead to disease and sickness. Be careful to learn Torah in the company of others, rather than study it alone. And be careful with regard to the education of the sons of paupers, as it is from them that the Torah will issue forth. As it is stated: “Water shall flow from his branches [midalyav]” (Numbers 24:7), which is expounded to mean: From the poor ones [midalim] among him, as it is from them that the Torah, which may be compared to water, will issue forth.
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
What does Balaam's blessing teach us about how we should every plant and every person?
- an eye to the future: consequences, hope
Living the Lesson
שנאמר אשריכם זורעי ואין זריעה אלא צדקה שנאמר (הושע י, יב) זרעו לכם לצדקה וקצרו לפי חסד ואין מים אלא תורה שנאמר (ישעיהו נה, א) הוי כל צמא לכו למים
The Gemara explains how this is derived from the verse: As it is stated: “Happy are you that sow.” And the reference to sowing refers only to acts of charity, as it is stated: “Sow for yourselves for charity, reap according to kindness” (Hosea 10:12). And the reference to water refers only to the study of Torah, as it is stated with regard to Torah study: “Ho, all who are thirsty, go to water” (Isaiah 55:1).
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
How does gardening complement your Torah education in school?
In the garden, how much are our plants dependent on water? What does that teach you about the role of Torah in our lives?
Extra Sources
(23) when the ass caught sight of the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. The ass swerved from the road and went into the fields; and Balaam beat the ass to turn her back onto the road. (24) The angel of the LORD then stationed himself in a lane between the vineyards, with a fence on either side. (25) The ass, seeing the angel of the LORD, pressed herself against the wall and squeezed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he beat her again. (26) Once more the angel of the LORD moved forward and stationed himself on a spot so narrow that there was no room to swerve right or left. (27) When the ass now saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam was furious and beat the ass with his stick. (28) Then the LORD opened the ass’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?” (29) Balaam said to the ass, “You have made a mockery of me! If I had a sword with me, I’d kill you.” (30) The ass said to Balaam, “Look, I am the ass that you have been riding all along until this day! Have I been in the habit of doing thus to you?” And he answered, “No.” (31) Then the LORD uncovered Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, his drawn sword in his hand; thereupon he bowed right down to the ground. (32) The angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you beaten your ass these three times? It is I who came out as an adversary, for the errand is obnoxious to me.