Balak - Torah Reflections

Inspired by Rav Pesachya:

A Vision Of Gan Eden

Picture the most beautiful garden - Gan Eden, our dwelling place with the Holy One, where we speak to Hashem and He hears us. Hold that image. We are sheltered by a Holy Tent. Inside, the dwelling is Holy too. Listen for the trickling brook, the flow of a river, and in the distance, the waterfall cascading down the mountain. It is comforting, serene, and loving - the place where we rest. Here, it is possible to speak to Hashem, and He makes this a dwelling as beautiful as any eye can see, because We created it as One. Herein is a mystery for you to decipher.

The Speaking Donkey: A Divine Metaphor

How do we reach this garden from a donkey speaking? In this week's parsha, Balak, we encounter a striking, almost psychedelic scene: an animal and its rider, Balaam. Beyond the veil, in the language of metaphor, it is ultimately Hashem's voice speaking through this union. On the surface, we meet a talking donkey, but we must ask ourselves: What deeper language does this metaphor carry? Why did God create such a scene as this in our Holy Torah? "The strength of mankind is his ability to use language" anthropomorphically, so we can identify with the donkey and understand why it speaks. It is speech through our mouths that we are blessed as humans, with and without flaw. The flaw? Communication filtered through ego instead of listening with the whole, as Balaam demonstrated.

The donkey cries out - and I'm picturing Donkey from Shrek here - something like, "Why are you beating me so?!" I won't retell every detail here, but this speaking donkey carries a profound message about communication between us and Hashem. The angel blocking the path reminds us that the real power lies in speech flowing from a pure source. We are created differently because of this with our mouth from which speech flows. This is profound, subjectively.

Beyond Ego: The Power of Divine Speech and Oneness

If we believe in the Allness, the Oneness of Creation, in which we are collectively united with Hashem, we will deduce that who is really speaking, who is pushing out this breath from the donkey's mouth is Hashem, from the Whole. It is a message, a vision of looking beyond the technicalities of something so tangible as read in the story. We alone possess language and the capacity for self-evident truth free from ego. That is our distinction and our sacred tool. From this starting point, we can see what our message is, individually and whole in Unity. The Source is what matters here. The Oneness we all pray for is in the message. We must transform the messages from God into Holy action through charity, tender-loving care, listening with sincerity, or even a smile from heart to heart. These simple acts have the power to transform. It is through action that we start lifting the veil and recognize the purpose that we are given at birth, or at the inception of our realized existence. By overcoming ego's resistance to action, we fulfill ourselves through knowing ourselves. When we know ourselves, we know Hashem. It is here where we take our essence to another level by inspiration.

From Insight to Action: Healing Through Union

As such, this world needs our help. Hashem is our help, but He needs us too. "When you realize your worth, you know what you are capable of" unconditionally. Our Union is to help All of Creation at the right time and place. Find your right time and place. This is key. Be sure of what is in your environment and give until you feel you cannot give anymore and then give some more. This is our healing, our hope, our help.

Back to Gan Eden, this is the place we aspire to love and cherish. This is us with Hashem, our healing. With this we serve, protect and guide by being guided to the Allness of Truth, the Love of Life, and the Oneness of All. The Water in Gan Eden is our source in whatever way we drink from it, individually and in Unity. It is Benevolent. Water is Life and, in this garden, it flows everywhere and in any or all directions. It is now time to swim in and drink from it. Keep this place safe. It is your heart.

A Donkey's Lesson and a Blessing

And all this from a donkey. I like the donkey.

May we have many stories to tell. Amen

A Note on This Reflection: Even though I wrote this back in 2015, the meaning still resonates in our day and age. In a world filled with 'Balaams' - forces of fear and division - the call to listen beyond ego and return to our inner Gan Eden feels more urgent than ever. It is in this inner sanctuary that your heart and soul find healing. Be a warrior for inner peace and truth. And always have faith beyond reason. You are the Light.

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