Balak | בלק | “Balak”
"the name Balak means to lay waste or Destroy"
Torah Portion:
Numbers 22:2- 25:9
HafTorah: Micah 5:6- 6:8
Brit Chadashah: 2 Peter 2:1-22; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14-15
מה־טבו אהליך יעקב משׁכנתיך ישׂראל׃
Ma tovu ohalecha Ya-akov. Mish-k'notecha Yisrael.
How good are thy tents, O Jacob.
Thy tabernacles, O Yisrael.
The main Focus of the Torah portion is:
- Balak The king of Moab was afraid of Israel so he called for Balaam to come and CURSE ISRAEL.
- Balaam said he wouldn't come for GOD would not let him, Balak called again for Balaam and This time he went.
- GOD sent the Angel of the LORD to stop Balaam's Donkey.
- Balaam beat the Donkey for not going. GOD Caused the donkey to speak and rebuke Balaam. then the Angel appeared before Balaam. He told Balaam to only say what GOD told him to say.
- GOD used Balaam to BLESS Israel.
- But Balaam Tells Balak how to get Israel and Balak listens.
- Unfortunately, the children of Israel then begin to sin by serving idols and being with non-Jewish woman. A man named Zimri takes a Midianite woman to his tent, and a fierce plague starts spreading, killing many of them. Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron, knows what he must do. He takes his spear and kills Zimri and the woman, and the plague stops.
A good overview of the portion can be found here an easier one for kids to understand can be found Here
TEN: Balak
In this week's Torah reading, we are introduced to a King and a Prophet. The King, Balak, is desperate to curse the Israelites and sends the prophet, Balaam, to do just that. Balaam is repeatedly warned along the way not to curse the Israelites, but he chooses to go anyway. However, as hard as he tries to curse them, Balaam only manages to heap blessing on the Israelites.
1. Who is the King of Moab in this week's Torah reading?
Balak son of Zippor. (22:4)
2. When asked to curse the Jews, how does Balaam respond?
Let me spent the night and perhaps God will instruct me what to do. (22:8)
3. In the morning what does Balaam say?
Balaam says he is heading back home because God does not allow him to go to curse the Israelites. (22:13)
4. What did God say to let Balam go?
If Balak's men come again, you may go but you must follow the words I tell you. (22:20)
5. Why does the donkey refuse to walk on the path?
An angel keeps appearing with a sword drawn. (22:22-27)
6. What does Balaam’s donkey say when God allow him to speak?
He asks Balaam, "Why have you hit me three times?" (22:28)
7. What does the angel tell Balaam to do?
Go but only speak the words I tell you to. (22:35)
8. How many times does Balaam bless the Jews?
Three. (23:1-29, 24:1-9)
9. Before Balaam leaves what does he do?
He gives Balak a prophecy of what is to happen. (24:15-24)
10. What is the name of the god that the Israelites start to pray to?
Baal-peor. (25:3)
1. Who is the King of Moab in this week's Torah reading?
Balak son of Zippor. (22:4)
2. When asked to curse the Jews, how does Balaam respond?
Let me spent the night and perhaps God will instruct me what to do. (22:8)
3. In the morning what does Balaam say?
Balaam says he is heading back home because God does not allow him to go to curse the Israelites. (22:13)
4. What did God say to let Balam go?
If Balak's men come again, you may go but you must follow the words I tell you. (22:20)
5. Why does the donkey refuse to walk on the path?
An angel keeps appearing with a sword drawn. (22:22-27)
6. What does Balaam’s donkey say when God allow him to speak?
He asks Balaam, "Why have you hit me three times?" (22:28)
7. What does the angel tell Balaam to do?
Go but only speak the words I tell you to. (22:35)
8. How many times does Balaam bless the Jews?
Three. (23:1-29, 24:1-9)
9. Before Balaam leaves what does he do?
He gives Balak a prophecy of what is to happen. (24:15-24)
10. What is the name of the god that the Israelites start to pray to?
Baal-peor. (25:3)
Worksheets and Copy work for Parasha
- Balam and Balak printable book
- Mini book
- Donkey Maze
- word search
- word study from Hebrew for Christians
- Poem
- Cohen Cubs
- leason for preschoolers
- older kids lesson
Color Pages of the Torah Portion:
Crafts for this Portion
Donkey Paper Bag Puppet: Balak
In this week’s parsha, Parshat Balak, we meet the second (and final) talking animal in the Torah (the first being the snake in Eden). The Moabite prophet Balaam is sent to curse the Israelites and his donkey sees an angel in their path. When the donkey stops, Balaam strikes him. God opens the mouth of the donkey and he complains to Balaam about his maltreatment. Finally, Balaam’s eyes are opened to see the angel.Kids love talking animals. And, kids love puppets. So, the perfect craft for this week’s parsha is a fun donkey puppet!
Materials:
Paper lunch bag
Brown felt, foam, or construction paper
Brown yarn
Large googly eyes
Instructions:Brown felt, foam, or construction paper
Brown yarn
Large googly eyes
1. Cut out ears, face, arms, tail, and nostrils out of brown felt.
2. Glue shapes onto paper bag.
3. Glue on googly eyes.
4. Cut pieces of yarn and glue them onto head and tail.
5. Stick your hand in the bag and make your donkey talk!
Emily Shapiro Katz has been a community Jewish educator for over ten years in Jerusalem, Atlanta, and San Francisco. This summer, she will move to Beer Sheva with her husband, Andy, and daughters Maya, age 5 and Avital, age 2. Her contributions to this website reflect her interest in teaching Tanach, doing craft projects, and entertaining her kids. Emily blogs about her Parsha Projects athttp://parshaprojects.blogspot.com/
Make your own donkey Paper bag puppet. Find instructions here with a printable.
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