CONQUERING THE LITTLE CITY

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well.

Mazal Tov to Eliana on her birthday next week. Wishing you a wonderful year Eliana in both the material and Spiritual, with much happiness!

In this week's double Chumash portion Chukas Balak, we hear a lot about Bilam, who was a Gentile Prophet.

In verse 21:27 it says, “About this war, the allegorists (in Hebrew *hamoshlim)* said, ‘Enter Cheshbon (the name of a city)!’ May it be rebuilt and re-established……”

And Rashi says that the allegorists refer principally to Bilam who spoke in parables.

Moshlim in Hebrew also has the meaning of ‘ruling over’

And cheshbon in Hebrew also has the meaning of ‘taking account’

And in relation to this, the Baal Haturim says that the numerical value of the first 4 words of the verse is equal to the words *Eleh hem hamoslim beyitzram * - These are those who rule over (*moshel)* their inclinations.

Chassidus enlarges on this and explains that the way to rule over one’s inclinations is through accounting (*cheshbon*).

Ie we need to set aside time every day to take account of our actions and inclinations, and keep making improvements.

In this way we ‘rebuild and re-establish the land’ ie WE TAKE CONTROL OF OUR 'LITTLE CITY'

As it also says in Pirkei Avot, *‘Ezehu gibor –* Who is a mighty one? He who subdues his evil inclination, as it is said, 'He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that rules his spirit is greater than one who takes a city.' (Pirkei Avot 4:1)

Balak then hires Bilam to curse and destroy the Jewish People (which Bilam also wanted to do!) but instead what came out of his mouth were some of the greatest blessings for Am Yisrael in the form of parables, one of which is the prediction of the Coming of Mashiach – ‘ I see it but not now. I observe it but not in the near future. A star (King) will rise from Yaakov, and a ruler will be appointed from Yisrael. He will slay the leaders of Moav and penetrate all the children of Shes. Edom will be overrun ……and Yisrael will become prosperous……(24:17 and on)

Gut Shabbos to all!