Parsha Review Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Parshas Balak, focusing on the story of Balak, the king of Moab, who hires the powerful prophet Bilaam to curse the Jewish people (Numbers 22). Rabbi Wolbe recounts the riveting narrative where Bilaam’s donkey, divinely enabled to speak, rebukes him for striking it, symbolizing resistance to his mission to curse the Jews. Rashi’s commentary highlights the donkey’s reference to “three times” as an allusion to the Jewish people’s observance of the three festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot), which Bilaam seeks to undermine. Rabbi Wolbe explains why the festivals define the Jewish people, emphasizing the miraculous nature of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, which, like a deer’s hide, supernaturally expands to accommodate millions during these pilgrimages without anyone feeling cramped. This contrasts sharply with Bilaam’s frustration when his donkey pins his leg against a wall, revealing his inability to tolerate minor discomfort, unlike the Jewish people who trust in Hashem’s providence. Rabbi Wolbe draws a broader lesson, contrasting Bilaam’s arrogance and reliance on material wealth with the Jewish people’s faith in Hashem’s control, as seen in historical miracles like the Six-Day War and the protection of Jewish homes during festival pilgrimages. He critiques the modern notion of “financial security” as a form of arrogance, urging listeners to let go of self-reliance and trust in Hashem while still acting responsibly. Using the metaphor of a tractor-trailer stuck under an overpass, he suggests “letting the air out of our arrogance” to align with divine will. The episode concludes with a call to live with faith, recognizing that Hashem orchestrates every outcome, and to embrace this trust for a meaningful Shabbos and life.
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This episode (Ep 7.37) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Balak is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!

Recorded at TORCH Studios (C) to an online TORCHzoom.com audience on July 8, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey.
Released as Podcast on July 10, 2025

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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#Torah, #Parsha, #Numbers, #Balak, #TalkingDonkey, #Faith, #Surrender, #DivineGuidance, #Trust, #PersonalResponsibility, #Hashem, #Protection, #Serenity, #Embrace