Parashat Balak: Menachem Begin's Torah for Our Time

In 1977, a unique Torah study session took place at the residence of Menachem Begin, the newly elected Prime Minister of Israel. This gathering, which became a weekly tradition, was centered around the Torah portion of Balak from the Book of Numbers, chapters 22-25. The narrative recounts how Balaam, a heathen prophet, was summoned by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites. However, compelled by divine intervention, Balaam ended up blessing them instead. This story, with its blend of humor and profundity, served as a backdrop for discussions that reflected Begin's Zionist ideology and political worldview, emphasizing the distinctiveness of the Jewish people.