Textbook Anti-semitism

In some ways, Parashat Balak seems a textbook of anti-Semitism.

Balak's concern was based on his perception that the Tribes Israel constituted a threat to him. However, Moab enjoyed immunity from attack by the Israelites, as we read in Deuteronomy 2:9, hence the threat was perceived, rather than real.

Often, the anti-Semite reacts to threats which he perceives as coming from the Jews, though there is no connection between that perception and reality. However, perception is often stronger than reality. So, perhaps Balak can be forgiven for reacting based upon his perception.

Yet, the way Balak chose to respond to the perceived threat is flawed. Balak said to Balaam "for I know that those whom you bless will be blessed and those whom you curse will be accursed" [Numbers 22:6]. Granted that Balak perceived the Israelites as presenting a threat to his kingdom, he had two options: to ask Balaam to bless Moab or to request that he curse Israel. Balak's mistake was choosing the negative option. Faced with the choice of having himself blessed or having Israel cursed, the anti-Semite will choose the latter. There is, however, a positive lesson that emerges from Balak's approach. Balak understood that ultimately Israel is a spiritual nation and therefore his fight against Israel cannot be limited to the tangible level, but must be waged on the spiritual level.

It is a sad fact of Jewish history that often our enemies have understood better than we the basic truths of the Jewish experience. If Balak understood the truth that Israel is guided in a spiritual way and that its security is based upon the nation's spiritual level, how much more are we, the People of Israel, obligated to understand, appreciate and internalize these truths. On a daily basis and in an ongoing way, it behooves us to place out trust in God in everything we do.