This Week’s Torah Portion:Chukat – Balak – חֻקַּת – בָּלָק (Numbers 19:1−22:1, 22:2−25:9)

וַיְגַ֣ל יְהֹוָה֮ אֶת־עֵינֵ֣י בִלְעָם֒ וַיַּ֞רְא אֶת־מַלְאַ֤ךְ יְהֹוָה֙ נִצָּ֣ב בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְחַרְבּ֥וֹ שְׁלֻפָ֖ה בְּיָד֑וֹ וַיִּקֹּ֥ד וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לְאַפָּֽיו׃

“Then יהוה uncovered Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the messenger of יהוה standing in the way, his drawn sword in his hand; thereupon he bowed right down to the ground.” Numbers 22:31

The Torah calls Balaam, Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer. While there is truth that Balaam may have inherited soothsaying qualities, Rashi explains these qualities left him the moment he associated himself with King Balak. In this moment, the Ruach haKodesh- Holy Spirit, departed from him. He was blind the holiness surrounding him, until Adonai “uncovered Balaam’s eyes…and Balaam say the messenger of Adonai- an angel standing in the way of his donkey.”

This new vision, the ability to see truth and beauty stays with Balaam and out of his mouth comes a blessing for the Jews, instead of the curse Balak commanded him to give. Once the blessing flies out of Balaam’s mouth, this Holy Spirit departs once more. When Balaam lies on his deathbed, he recognizes his once elevated status, and the downfall he brought upon himself through Balak.

When have your eyes “been opened” to something holy and awesome? What is a new truth that you have uncovered? May your eyes continue to be open  and opened to all of the awesome truths of this world.