“And Balak the son of
Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they
were many; and Moab was overcome with dread because of the children of Israel.”
BaMidbar 22:2-3
The question when reading the Pasuk in Hebrew is obvious:
Why does the opening start off with the words “what Yisroel had
done to the Emori, and then immediately in the next Pasuk say that Balak was
afraid of “HAAM” /“the nation/people”. Why does the Torah switch from “Yisroel”
to “HAAM” - Wouldn’t it make sense to use the word “Yisroel”, or even better,
describe them with a pronoun like “them”?
In addition, the usage of the word “Vayuguru” also has to
be brought into question. Rashi explains that it is a Loshon (language) of awe
or fear. But if that is the case, then why not use the word “Pachad” or “Yira”,
both expressions that are more commonly used to denote fear. What was the Torah
hinting at by using the Shoresh “Gur” to denote fear?
I would like to posit that Balak saw that there was major
“Hebrew Fever”. Mitzrayim, one of the most powerful cultures had just been
decimated by a small nation led by a Supernatural power. Not only were they
destroyed, but many of their own people converted and joined the Jewish people on
their journey to the Holy Land…right through the land of Moab. This of course
explains the usage of the word “AM” which many commentaries explain throughout
the Torah as referring to the Erev Rav. Balak, whose own people had been struggling
with strife with the Midianites for so many years, was afraid that this mass
conversion was an epidemic that would influence his own people. It was this
reason why he was afraid of the growing popularity of the Jewish people. Hence,
the Torah uses the “Gur” shoresh which is also the Shoresh for “Gairus,”
conversion, thus alluding to Balak’s real fear.
The lesson we learn is obvious. When we act the way we
are supposed to, the inspiration that is caused is not only within but also
beyond. Let us always take this message with us wherever we go.
Guest posting by
Rabbi Ari Glazer
Far Rockaway, NY
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