"A nation that dwells alone"

 

(Numbers 23:9)

Tammuz 11, 5786/June 26, 2026

"There is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Truer words were never spoken. Bilaam, the heathen Midianite prophet, may have been the first individual in history hired to curse Israel, but he certainly hasn't been the last. What appears to have been a boutique industry in his day, and one which he dominated, has burgeoned in  our day into a global industry on steroids. One crucial difference, however, exists. While Bilaam, despite being an idolater, had G-d's ear, or, to be more precise, G-d has total control over what came out of Bilaam's mouth, today's mercenary cursers of Israel have cut themselves off completely from G-d. Bilaam, despite being hired to curse, was compelled by G-d only to bless Israel - and what astonishing blessings they were! Today's wanna-be Bilaams fill their mouths, not with G-d's truth, but with manufactured lies designed to malign Israel in any and every way possible.

Bilaam, in his thrice repeated efforts to place a curse upon Israel, chose each time a different location, gaining a different perspective, a different angle, seeking an opening, a breach in HaShem's protective shield over Israel. Each time he failed. Today's would-be Bilaams likewise try every angle under the sun, attacking Israel from the left and from the right. And from where do they draw upon their rich source of depravities that they accuse Israel of? From Israel's very enemies, of course. Apartheid, genocide, rape, bestiality, influence purchased with"dark money," you name it. Even a cursory search will reveal that these are the very iniquities being pursued by Israel's enemies, be they the Palestinians, the jihadists, Iran, Turkey, Qatar, the European Union, the socialists and communists and fascists, the weak-kneed, pusillanimous and morality deprived politicians, and all the other posers and pretenders. Not a single one measures up the the ankles of Bilaam, who, for all that he lacked in integrity and decency, was, nonetheless,  a mouthpiece for G-d. Today's Bilaam  impersonators enjoy no such status. The may write for the New York Times, they may have millions of followers on X or TikTok, they may be presidents or prime ministers, dictators or ayatollahs, but not a single one is in touch with G-d, let alone with what remains of the image of G-d in which they were created. 

Nor will their curse stick. They make a tremendous noise. They are hurled with such fury that they do make dents. But they will never pierce the heart or the soul of the nation of Israel. When Bilaam arrived at Moav to curse Israel he did so from a  distant perch upon a high mountain overlooking the Israelite encampment. He had Israel in his sights, but there is no evidence that Israel was even aware of his presence, and certainly not within ear shot of his words. Had he, in fact, uttered a curse, it would have fallen to the ground, unheard by the very people for whose ears it was intended. In fact, the only thing that Israel ultimately heard and recorded in the Torah, were the soaring words of praise, the unparalleled blessings that Bilaam spoke. As if to drive this point home, Bilaam's words, from ancient times to this day, form part of Israel's daily liturgy, spoken every morning by Jews the world wide: "How goodly are your tents, O Yaakov, your dwelling places, O Israel!" (Numbers 24:5) 

The reason that today's curses won't stick is that Israel is not listening. Israel is not hearing the vile words. Yes, Israel is painfully aware of all the vitriol being slung in its direction, and yes, damage has been done. But ultimately, Israel is doing what Israel has to do, and that is to stay close to HaShem, to truly listen to His word only, and to never leave off from pursuing the path of redemption and rebirth in the land of Israel. Balak acted out of fear. In a panic he opened up his coffers to finance the greatest PR artist of his day to defame Israel. And yet, Israel posed no threat to Balak. Israel had no interest in Balak's territory or in his idolatry. Had he kept his mouth shut and saved his money he would have been much better off. It's a pity today's curse mongers don't take note. Billions upon billions of dollars are being spent to slander, defame and libel Israel. It provides a lot of salaries and keeps a lot of low life ne'er-do-wells afloat, but, ultimately it is money down the drain. What a shame it isn't being used for nobler purposes. But if learning a lesson from the experience of Balak and Bilaam proves too obscure for today's bible ignorant, self appointed princes of righteousness, a much more well known biblical phrase should surely come to mind: 

"And HaShem said to Avram, "Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you. And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will aggrandize your name, and you shall be a blessing. And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you." (Genesis 12:1-3)

These words came straight from HaShem hundreds of years before Bilaam rediscovered them. Today's losers could do themselves and the world a big favor by learning this lesson, and like Bilaam, going home and getting a real job. Israel is "a nation that dwells alone." Like it or lump it. But don't mess with G-d's nation.