Weekly Services

Summary:

The Israelites have been encamped for many years at an oasis just outside the Promised Land, paralyzed by a lack of courage to move forward. But now, the next generation, the children of the slaves freed from bondage 40 years earlier, are ready to complete the journey to their homeland. As they march through what is present-day Jordan, they encounter the natives of the region.  The Israelites make a humble request of them: “…We ask permission to pass through your land: We assure you that we will neither turn aside to your pastures, nor drink from your wells; we will march only on your main roads until we have passed through your land …” But these nations do not trust the Israelites. In fact, one of their leaders, King Balak, commissions a free-lance wizard to curse the Israelites and thereby weaken them before he attacks them!  The wizard, known as Balaam, attempts to fulfill the king’s bidding. Standing on a cliff overlooking the Israelite encampment, Balaam prepares to hurl a curse upon the Israelites, when suddenly out of his mouth, instead of a curse, tumbles a blessing: "HOW GOODLY ARE YOUR TENTS O JACOB, YOUR DWELLING PLACES O ISRAEL!"  “Ma Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov!” Those words, inadvertently blurted out by a heathen wizard, became the opening verse of every Jewish morning worship service!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus