Rabbi Winston: BALAK

 Dedicated in loving memory of Shmuel ben Yitzchak Yaakov, z”l. May his Neshamah have aliyah after aliyah, and may he continue to be a meilitz yoshar for Klal Yisroel, especially during these difficult times. The Turner Family

THE CONCEPT OF blessing is known far and wide and for who knows how long now? In the Torah, it goes back to the first man, and even before. Both religious and secular people use the term, and both mean that the blessed is successful. It’s just that the religious person says that the source of the blessing is G–D, and the secular person just means that they have been lucky. 

In the latter case, it is a borrowed term because the very word in Hebrew alludes to G–D being the Source of the blessing. Brochah is similar to the word breichah, which is a flow of water. Like a flow of water, a blessing is a flow of Divine light from G–D to the recipient of the blessing. 

The truth is, no one can exist, not even the bad guys, if Divine light does not flow to them. Even the worst of the worst exists because G–D keeps them alive with His light. The difference is how the light manifests itself, either cloaked in seemingly natural causes, or in an obviously miraculous way. 

Take Yosef HaTzaddik, for example. His blessing was so pronounced that even Potiphar acknowledged his special G–Dly status. Later, Pharaoh elevated him from jail mate to second-in-command over Egypt because of his G–D-connection. The same thing was true of Yosef’s father, Ya’akov, whose blessed status was acknowledged by Lavan, and Yitzchak Avinu before him with whom Avimelech made a pact because of his blessed nature. Need we even mention Avraham?

In last week’s parsha, the Jewish people didn’t do as well. Edom refused to acknowledge the Jewish nation’s special status and was prepared to war against them. Sichon and Og as well, and they did go to battle only to lose because of the Jewish People’s blessedness. And this continued through the millennia, even though, as Josephus writes, everyone knew about the special G–Dly status of the Jewish People, at least in the past. 

Which brings us to this week’s parsha. This is the parsha in which Bilaam and Balak conspire to alter the Jewish nation’s special status, only to be told by G–D, nothing doing. “These people are blessed,” G–D warned Bilaam, “and that was not about to change.” Trying would only lead to Bilaam’s own downfall, and did. 

What does that mean? It could mean something as simple as protectzia, which means knowing someone (G–D, in the case of the Jewish People) in a high place (Heaven in this case) who does favors for you when you need them. The only connection needed in this scenario is an emotional one.

The deeper understanding is that the Jewish nation lives in the path of a special flow of Divine light, like being in a spiritual spotlight. As long as you remain in the path of the light, you remain illuminated. Step away from that light, and it can’t light you up anymore leaving you vulnerable to the darkness. The light will continue to flow as it has, but you won’t be there to receive it.

This is why Bilaam had Balak offer so many sacrifices. His plan had been to knock the Jewish People out of the path of the Divine light by drawing it to the sacrifices they offered to G–D. He calculated that if he could reduce the light on the Jewish People even just a little, he might be able to slip a curse in there and make good on his commitment to Balak. 

Though he was right in theory Bilaam was wrong in practice. The forty-two sacrifices they offered to G–D were impressive, but not enough to knock the Jewish People out of the flow of Divine light. Consequently, Bilaam’s curses turned into blessings, driving Balak mad and Bilaam out of business.

Therefore, Bilaam changed his strategy. If he could not knock the Jewish People from their spiritual pedestal, he decided to let the Jewish people do it on their own. He cunningly drew the Jewish men out of the spiritual safety of their holy environment, exposed them to immodest women, and drew them to sin. 

It worked, somewhat. It caused the death of 24,000 men from the tribe of Shimon, and the capital punishment of 176,000. It was only a fraction of the nation, but it also showed other nations how to weaken the Jewish People, and it showed the Jewish People the consequences of stepping outside the blessed light of G–D. 

It’s a much different, more blessed life when someone lives in the path of the light. It’s when prayers no longer return empty, and success results beyond natural expectations. That’s what home looks like for a Jew. And this is one home you don’t even want to leave, because history has shown us no uncertain terms what happens when we do, starting with this week’s parsha. It’s an especially good lesson to keep in mind as we begin the darkness and vulnerability of the Three Weeks. 

Pinchas Winston

thirtysix.org / shaarnunproductions.org

UPCOMING SEMINAR: Unlock the Gates: We are told that the Gates of Prayer are closed. This is a class about opening them up again. You’ll never pray the same again. 

The live presentation will be Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 8:30 p.m. Israel time, b”H. Register here (even after the date since the class will be recorded).

Balak: BAR KOCHVAH - A Star Emerged From Jacob

 

Judaism Without Apologizing - Episode 3 Preview - Rav Daniel Glatstein

 

THE MANHUNT OF חיי הישיבה — Great Elucidation by Rav Zamir and excellent MyrtleRising comparisons

 it’s nothing but a witch hunt

Rav Zamir Cohen Explains Once and For All: Why Don't Charedim Serve in the Army?

To see the original video, please click here:
habayitah.blogspot.com/2024/03/rabbi-zamir-cohen.html

Why don't charedim enlist in the Israeli army?

First of all, they do — so observes Rav Zamir Cohen (and all of us).

In fact, charedim can be found all over the army, the police force, and the healthcare system.

In addition to serving as doctors and nurses, charedim run and staff organizations like Yad Sara, Ezer MiTzion, Efrat, Ima ("Mother" — Hidabroot's pro-life organization), and more. 

And charedi wholly staff the paramedic organization, Hatzola, and the organization ZAKA, which saves lives as first responders, but its main job is the heart-breaking and gruesome task of collecting dead bodies, body parts, blood, and tissue for respectful burial.

(Because of the policies of the same people who wish to draft into military service every single charedi — including the devoted yeshivah men — ZAKA and Hatzola are kept quite busy cleaning up the gruesome and heart-breaking results of these policies. One can make the argument that pro-life orgs such as Efrat and Ima, plus the anti-assimilation org Yad L'Achim — which also rescues Jewish women and children trapped with Muslim-Arab husbands or partners in Muslim-Arab villages — are also cleaning up the results of secular Leftist policies.)

So the demand for charedim to serve is actually a demand for the [me: ONLY] kollel avrechim and  [me: ONLY] yeshivah bochurim to serve.

To read please more https://myrtlerising.weebly.com/blog/rav-zamir-cohen-explains-once-and-for-all-why-dont-charedim-serve-in-the-army

NOTE:  “ Rav Zamir quotes the results of a survey, in which they discovered that the group of religious Zionist Jews known as "charedi-dati-leumi" suffered the loss of 210 Jews going off the derech out of every thousand who completed army service, while the mainstream dati-leumi suffer the loss of 310 out of 1000. What's known as dati-leumi "lite" suffers the loss of 510 per 1000.”

FURTHER: “ So while heartbreaking and infuriating, the recent tragedy involving many soldiers from the Netzach Yehudah brigade in Gaza (with soldiers from mostly charedi families) isn't a shock, coming on the heels of recent reports of the Medinah's preparations to criminalize Torah learners.

But the Israeli military planned a widespread attack against Torah, using its own people to hunt down and arrest yeshivah students.

And now the Israeli military suffered a horrific loss (not to mention the terrible wounds endured by the surviving soldiers).

Bitachon 216 - Ultimate Answer to Enemies

We study together the passuk in Tehillim chapter 119 passuk 42, which speaks of Dovid Hamelech's response to those who were sharp with him and embarrassed him. The response is the fact that ultimately it was his Bitachon in Hashem that brought about the salvation he sought. This proves that the taunting of his enemies all along was meaningless and empty

Lenny Goldberg on The HillTop Youth

 bs’d

This brief but important podcast captures the essence of the latest “scandal” involving the Hilltop Youth.  Give it a listen.

https://israelnewstalkradio.com/ode-to-the-hilltop-youth-the-jewish-truth-bomb-audio/

Israel News Talk Radio · Ode to the Hilltop Youth - The Jewish Truth Bomb

Rabbi Wein: BALAK

 Balak - The Prophetic Moral Imperative

Although Bilaam is the major villain of the piece in this week’s Parsha, we should not overlook Balak’s nefarious role in the events described. Balak is the instigator of the whole plot to curse and destroy the Jewish people. He finances Bilaam and is most persistent in pursuing his evil goal. Even when Bilaam apparently despairs of the success of his mission and so informs Balak.

Balak nevertheless insists that he continue, for perhaps he will yet be able to curse the people of Israel. Often in Jewish history we find this scenario repeated, with those behind the scenes persistently encouraging the masses to destroy the Jews while they stay a pious distance behind, causing, but somehow apparently not participating in, the murderous mayhem.

 

As hate filled as Bilaam is he cannot operate alone. He needs financial and social backing for him to do his worst. Bilaam is eventually killed by the very people he attempted to destroy. But Balak always lives on to try again to accomplish the destruction of the Jewish nation. Balak never makes peace with the idea that the Lord does not allow him his goal. His tenacity for hatred and evil behavior is the true hallmark of his identity.

 

Centuries later the prophet reminds us of Balak’s scheme and advice to Bilaam and warns us somehow not to overlook Balak’s role in this story of aggression and unreasoned hatred.  Through remembering the original Balak, the prophet informs us that we will be better able to identify and deal with his successors in deceit and hatred throughout the ages.

 

It is not the suicide bomber – Bilaam – that is the only guilty party in terrorist attacks. It is the Balaks who send them and support them that are certainly equally as guilty. 

The pious human rights organizations that promote only hatred and violence under the guise of doing good deeds are also responsible for the loss of the precious lives of innocents caused by those whom they nurture and support. The Talmud stated this reality by coining the famous Jewish aphorism: “It is not the mouse alone that is the thief. 

It is rather the hole in the wall that allows the mouse entry into the house that is the real ‘thief.” It is the persistence of those that are determined to undermine the Jewish people and the State of Israel that places them as direct immoral descendants of Balak.

 

In the Pesach Hagadah we read that in every generation we face this challenge. No matter how many Bilaams we dispose of, Balak somehow survives to continue to try again. The words of the prophet in this week’s haftorah - to remember Balak’s role in the story of the Jewish people in the desert of Sinai - are addressed to us and our times as well. 

We should not be shocked, though our sadness over this fact is understandable, that the malevolence against Jews of the 1930’s can repeat itself in our time as well. As Balak still remains a force in the world, the Jewish problem will not go away.

 

Shabat shalom.

 

Rabbi Berel Wein  

יקותיאל בן יעקב

 

Rabbi Weissman: IDF......

 IDF Home Sacrifice Plan Gains Traction Amid Concerns

It's a win-win for everyone, including the haredim

Today at 4 PM Israel time will be my weekly Torah class. In light of recent events, we will see a few interesting sources that explain why Jewish soldiers get killed (in addition to what I already planned to teach). The answer is partially obvious, but for those who want more depth and illuminating Torah sources, the link to register for the live class is https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tk4VttyYQ2efCPuZ63LouQ.

A few interesting items before the main article:

Report: Soldiers who observed the terrorists were denied authorization to take them out. Incredibly, they still believe it was something to do with poor strategy and lack of concern for the lives of the soldiers, not murder by proxy. I thought Jews were supposed to be smart.

Extraordinary gesture: Netanyahu presents Trump with a 'B-2 mezuzah'

Next time the Prime Sheigitz will present President False Messiah with a roll of toilet paper made from a Torah scroll, and retarded Jews will dance with joy.

If you want to make Hashem really angry, this is one of the best ways.

I heard so much from brainwashed losers about leftist generals who let October 7 happen to make Bibi look bad and bring down this historic ultra right wing religious government the media insists we have.

"Qassam fighters knew the route the military convoy was traveling, as well as the supply and rescue routes."

Tell me, brainwashed losers, are the same leftist generals ordering particular groups of soldiers into carefully planned death traps and tipping off Hamas?

Someone should really inform our ultra right wing religious government so they can put a stop to it.

IDF Home Sacrifice Plan Gains Traction, Concerns Linger (Mostly Real News Agency)

Disclaimer: Due to the difficulties many people have with discerning fake news from reality, we note that the following was still satire at the time of publication.

It’s war and people have to die — but there might be a better way.

After years of research, Israel’s Defense Ministry is preparing to launch a new program designed to achieve the same results, with fewer complications. General Nimrod “Boogie” Boged presented details of the previously top-secret initiative before media mouthpieces who know when to read the script and when to shut up.

“It’s elegant in its simplicity,” he explained. “Instead of keeping soldiers on active duty for weeks or months on end, away from family and work, they can serve remotely, from the comfort of their home. They can go about their daily lives without interruption. When it’s their turn, a team of specialists will schedule an appointment, meet them at their home, take them out back, and sacrifice them.”

Boged explained the numerous advantages of this system, which will be called Shaul’s Sword. “Sacrificing soldiers on the battlefield requires complex operations and subterfuge. There are so many variables, so many things that could go wrong — even miracles and accidental victories have been known to happen. Years of planning and coordination can be wasted. It creates a tremendous strain on the system.

“Simply meeting them at home and finishing them off is much cleaner and more convenient for everyone, not to mention better for the environment and the healthcare industry.”

Boged added that, although there are new costs involved with the program, overall it will save the state hundreds of millions of shekels a year. “We’ve whittled down the cost of feeding and outfitting soldiers as it is — meager rations, donations from the public, and obtaining used underwear from the US Army have definitely helped cut costs — but we are always looking for ways to maximize war profits, without compromising on our overall goals.”

The plan is not without controversy, however. Human rights groups blasted this plan as cutting off the livelihoods of Hamas killers, but senior IDF officials strongly denied this, noting that there will always be a robust market for murder by proxy, and promising that cash will continue to flow to idle assassins even if the “home hospice” program is successful.

“We are sensitive to everyone’s needs and concerns,” said Boged.

When asked if this program would be accepted by the religious community, Boged gave an emphatic yes. “Leading Religious Zionist rabbis have already pre-approved the plan — na’aseh v’nishma, as they put it — and they are working on simplistic Torah sound bites for our media and marketing teams.

“Besides, they want nothing more than to sacrifice for the state. We are eager to make it easier and more convenient for them.”

Soldiers will be selected for home sacrifice based on a sophisticated algorithm. The details are mostly classified, but Boged shared that priority will still be given to religious soldiers, heads of units, and recently married men, just like on the battlefield, but a randomness feature will ensure a measure of equality.

“We’re doing our best to provide the same experience as sacrifice on the battlefield. Soldiers who die on the home program will receive a full military funeral with all the same emotional effect. They will be promoted at least one rank after death, even if they don’t deserve it. The media will glorify them no differently than soldiers who get ambushed in death traps or run directly into explosives for no clear reason. State officials will issue the usual statements about the nation mourning the painful loss, the great sacrifice they made, and whatnot.

“They are losing nothing by being sacrificed in this way. We will even provide a festive farewell party on the big day, which soldiers in the field do not receive.

Boged added that the state will also provide the families with three Israeli flags and one hundred complimentary bumper stickers with a picture of their fallen hero and a favorite inspirational message. Officially these are not allowed to be placed on bus stops, but police are instructed to look the other way and go after the real criminals, like settlers and draft dodgers.

“Family members will also be entered into a raffle for the right to light a torch, be honored at moving ceremonies, and even take a photo with a Knesset member (subject to availability).”

General Boged then addressed the elephant in the room. What about the haredim?

“We’ve already met with senior haredi rabbis and it won’t be a problem. They understand that the status quo is no longer viable, and we have worked hard to address their main concerns.

“The home sacrifice program is ideal for haredim, because there is no issue with secular influences, indoctrination, contact with females, Shabbos desecration, kashrus, discrimination, or religious persecution. Haredim are free to continue learning or loafing, whatever the case may be, in their preferred environment, and do not even need to sign up for a draft.

“They will even be granted some measure of autonomy in selecting their own sacrifices, which will provide extra motivation for everyone to become a top learner, follow Da’as Torah, and stay in line. The ones who are selected will generally be the ones who aren’t successful in yeshiva, anyway — so, once again, everyone wins.

“This is why we decided to call the program Shaul’s Sword, over other proposed names such as Molech’s Inferno. Shaul’s Sword evokes images of a great biblical hero making the ultimate sacrifice on his own sword, on his own terms, without falling into the hands of enemies.”

Boged also addressed the concern that reducing service time away from home would lead to more children being born, especially among religious Jews. “We are confident that this will be offset by a robust vaccination drive and other measures.”

The Shaul’s Sword program may be expanded to pre-draft teenagers in the future.

Yachad ninatze'ach! Together we will win!

video at https://chananyaweissman.substack.com/

I don't know what to say anymore. Satire can't keep up with the real fake news.

Visit chananyaweissman.com for the mother lode of articles and books.

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Mahyar Tousi - LIVE: Israel’s Final Fight For Survival

 

Balak: BAR KOCHVA - Historical Background ….Part I

 

So Balak, Will You Tell Us Where You Are From?

 

A Jew In Judea - Resettling Our Homeland

 Deep in the beautiful Judean hills (aka the west bank), there is an awakening. And a very Holy one.

The narrative is that this area is filled with arabs and that it's dangerous. So many Jews (sadly) aren't even willing to live in Eretz Yisrael, let alone Judea and Samaria, but that's because 99.9 percent of the world has no clue as to what's happening here.

The truth is for a Jew, Judea is literally the most natrual place on earth to live. Watch to see the inside personal thoughts and life of a regular (American) family living in the center of Judea, our ancient ancestral homeland.

Rav Moshe Sternbuch Delivers Powerful Message From R’ Aharon Of Belz After 70 Years

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In honor of the 50th yahrzeit of the Rosh Yeshiva of Hebron,  Rabbi Avraham Moshe Chevroni zt”l, author of Masas Moshe, The Gaavad, Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch Shlita, who studied under Rabbi Chevroni, came to the Hevron Yeshiva in Givat Mordechai to deliver an inspiring address in his memory before thousands of students.

Upon his arrival at the yeshiva’s study hall, he was welcomed by the heads of the yeshiva—Rabbis Moshe Mordechai Farbstein, David Cohen, and Yosef Chevroni—who thanked him for his effort in coming.

In his talk, Rabbi Sternbuch expanded on the essence of what it means to be a Ben Yeshiva. He cited the teaching of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, who insisted on referring to his students as bnei yeshiva and not merely talmidei yeshiva, in order to emphasize that students in a yeshiva don’t just study Torah—they absorb their entire identity, including Yiras Shamayim, character refinement, and personal conduct, from the 

Toward the end of his address, the students were surprised to hear about a special mission Rabbi Sternbuch had been entrusted with seventy years ago—to deliver a message to the students of Hebron Yeshiva from the holy Rabbi Aharon of Belz zt”l.

In a deeply moving moment that closed a seventy-year circle, Rabbi Sternbuch said to the students:

“I am about to finish, but I would like to fulfill a mission that the holy Rabbi Aharon of Belz gave me about seventy years ago.

“Let me tell you a story: When I was learning in Hevron Yeshiva, I once went to visit the holy Rebbe of Belz. He asked me where I was learning, and I told him I was learning in Hevron Yeshiva. He then asked me to pass on a message to the students there in his name. He said that when learning a Masechta of the Talmud, one must learn it from beginning to end, without skipping even a single page.

“He explained that for every masechta a person learns in this world, he builds for himself a corresponding house in the World to Come. If someone learns a masechta but does not complete it with a siyum, then in the World to Come he will have a flawed house—with no door or window—and it will be an eternal embarrassment, Heaven forbid. Only if the masechta is completed will he have a full and beautiful house.

“And so today, I am fulfilling that mission: to encourage you, the students of Hevron Yeshiva, to complete your masechtos. Whoever wants to grow in Torah will find enough time both for in-depth study (iyun) and for broad knowledge (bekius). Everyone should strive to study diligently, not waste time, and all will be blessed with success, growth, and satisfaction.”

https://vinnews.com/2025/07/07/rav-moshe-sternbuch-delivers-powerful-message-from-r-aharon-of-belz-after-70-years/

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS?? 82-Year-Old Jewish Woman Burned Alive in America – Where Is the Outrage?

 Karen Diamond, who was severely injured in the antisemitic terror attack on a peaceful demonstration in Boulder earlier this month, has died from her wounds,” wrote the American Jewish Committee in a post on X. “We send our deepest condolences to her family. May her memory be a blessing. 13 other people were injured in this brutal assault on the group advocating for the remaining hostages held by Hamas.”  https://www.timesofisrael.com/elderly-woman-hurt-in-colorado-attack-on-activists-for-hostages-dies-of-wounds/

This week, I return from an unexpected month in Israel—where I found myself in the heart of war, not as a journalist or politician, but as a pilgrim. I was with the people of Israel—Jewish, Arab, Christian, and more—living through bombings, fear, and unbelievable courage. I come back changed yet again, with stories that demand our attention, voices that deserve our ears, and truths that must be spoken.

In this episode, I grapple with something deeply painful: the horrific murder of 82-year-old Karen Diamond, a Jewish woman burned alive in Boulder, Colorado, simply for being Jewish. The silence in our media, the lack of public outrage—it shakes me to my core. And it’s not just her. Jewish students at MIT are under attack, children in Virginia are expelled for being Israeli, and antisemitism is surging across the Western world. These aren’t isolated events—they are alarm bells we cannot afford to ignore. I share all this not to provoke fear, but to inspire action. The spirit of Israel is one of moral clarity and resilience, and I invite you to stand in that spirit today. Learn the truth. Share the truth. Be part of the truth. Because when you stand with Israel, you stand on the right side of history. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Karen Diamond’s Tragic Death: Burned for Being Jewish 01:21 – Back From the War: My Unexpected Month in Israel 02:24 – Why the Jewish People Matter to the Human Story 04:06 – Disputed Territories: A Closer Look at Judea and Samaria 05:10 – The Moral Crisis in America: Antisemitism Unmasked 07:03 – MIT Lawsuit: Jewish Students Harassed by Professors 09:00 – Could Israel and Syria Normalize Relations? 12:27 – Trump’s Push for Hostage Release and Ceasefire 13:24 – Jewish Kids Expelled in Virginia: Unthinkable Hate at School 16:31 – Why You Must Get Involved in the Fight Against Extremism