The prophet Bilaam was hired to curse the Children of Israel. However, each time he tried to pronounce a curse, it came out as a blessing. One of those blessings reads:
It is a people that dwells alone [badad], Not reckoned among the nations. (Num. 23:9)
Israel are depicted as dwelling “alone”. Alone can mean isolation and loneliness, is this a blessing?!
Not be reckoned among the nations. As Targum explains, they will not suffer destruction as other nations will, as it is says (Jeremiah 30:11), “for I shall annihilate all the nations” and Israel will not be counted amongst them. (Rashi)
Click here to read more from Rabbi Alex Israel in this week’s Parsha Discussion on Balak: A People that Dwell Alone.
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