Most people probably remember this story based on the name of the character who talked to YHVH more than the King for whom the parsha [“Balak” (Numbers 22:2-25:9)] is named.

More memorable, still, is “Balaam’s Talking Ass” – who isn’t actually named in story at all – but has registered as one of the most colorful, even humorous, vignettes in Scripture. And probably even influenced the language over time.

First, the Erev Shabbat reading of the story itself, and the ‘cliff-hanger’:

Most of the studies of this portion tend to focus either on the blessing(s) given by the most prominent, but arguably pagan, ‘seer’ of his day over the mixed multitude of Israel, or on the actions at the end of this part of the story by Pinchas (aka Phineas in most English Bibles) for which he was given the “Covenant of Peace,” by YHVH.

But Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship suggests that this year, in particular, it’s what Bilaam did to get himself killed that merits a deeper look.

Because it should hit very, VERY close to home today.

The Sabbath Day midrash:

The combined two-part teaching is here: