Hukkat-Balak 5762, Numbers 19:1 - 22:1, 22:2 - 25:9

Shabbat Shalom-

A particularly interesting thought occurred to me this week while reading the portion, and though not yet entirely flushed-out, I thought it worthy of mention.  At the end of the double-portion, the non-Israelite Bil'am ben B'or is called to curse the nearby-settled Israelite tribe, of whom the Moabite King Balak ben Tsipor is afraid.  The story comes amidst stories of poor Israelite behavior yet is entirely in praise of Israel.  Bil'am has 7 altars built three times, offers Israel 4 or so portents, and 7 total speeches.  In the second speech, he proclaims "He did not see foulness in Jacob, and did not see foul-play in Israel.  YHWH, his God, is with him, and the blaring of the king in him.  Mighty-God brings them out of Egypt, as the appearance of the (magnificently-horned) wild-ox to him.  For there is no soothsaying in Jacob, and no sorcery in Israel. Immediately it is said to Jacob, and to Israel what God does.  Lo, a people like a female lion goes up, and like a male lion is raised.  He shall not lie till he eats torn (beasts), and blood of fallen (beasts) he shall drink". (Num 23:21-24) 

This last line is striking in imagery. This people, not only forbidden to eat animals with the blood still in them (Lev 19:26, also I Sam 14:32-35, Gen 4:10) but to cover the blood (Lev 17:12-14), are here described as violently drinking it in war-like gusto. One could claim this is the non-Israelite's twist on God's word, or that that was the language of the time, but I will focus on the sense of the phrases juxtaposed.

Can we use metaphors we don't mean to instill?  Is it appropriate to call upon the blood-fervor of the beast though we ourselves never harness nor experience it?  Can one make good of evil, describe ultimate victory in unjust terms? It seems to me a most dangerous game to speak in violent rhetoric like this, to use powerful but inappropriate images to our advantage.

It is important that we take our words to task not just in what they convey but in how they do it.  Powerful metaphors and images, whether in marketing, politics, or discussion, should not be used out of context for their emotional charge, devoid of ethical connection.  People might get the wrong idea!

Have a caring week!
Benjamin Fleischer

You are also welcome to send comments and suggestions to bfleischer@nyc.rr.com