B"H

Tuesday, Tammuz 10, 5784 / July 16, 2024

The Torah reading this week is Parshat Balak.  Afraid that the Jewish people would pass through his land on the way to Israel, Balak, King of Moab, sent for Bila’am to come and curse the people of Israel.   The Torah relates in great detail how Bila’am attempts to curse the Jewish people, but G-d continuously puts words of blessing in his mouth and instead he blesses them.

The Torah tells us: "And Bila’am lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling tribe by tribe; and the spirit of G-d came upon him." He then called out: "Mah Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov Mishknotecha Yisrael" - "How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel". 

We begin our daily morning prayers with these words of blessing.  

Two expressions are used here to describe the homes of Israel "Tents" and "Dwellings."   A tent is a temporary home, while a dwelling represents a permanent home.  

Throughout Jewish history, we have rotated between tents and dwellings.   "How good are your tents O Jacob" - tells us that even when living in tents - throughout exiles and persecutions, the Jewish people achieved and produced the greatest scholars and leaders.  

Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch succeeded the Baal Shem Tov as leader of the Chassidic movement.  Before becoming leader, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch was a poor teacher.  He didn't even have the barest necessities of a decent table, chairs and bed.

Once the Baal Shem Tov asked a visitor to stop in Mezritch on his way home and give regards to Rabbi Dov Ber.  When the person came to Rabbi Dov Ber's house, he couldn't believe its dilapidated state.  When he went inside, he was even more shocked at the poverty which he found.  

After giving regards from the Baal Shem Tov, the man said, "Rabbi, I am not a wealthy man, yet, at home, I have a decent table, chairs, and beds.  How can you live like this?"

Rabbi Dov Ber looked at him, smiled and replied, "You said, 'At home you have everything you need'. Sure, at home is different. At home, I too, have whatever I need...”

Rabbi Dov Ber was implying that he didn't view this world as his home.  To Rabbi Dov Ber, this world was only a temporary place to prepare for his real home, the World-to-Come.

Thus, we recite each morning, "How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel". This serves as a reminder that this world is "Ohalecha" - "Tents" - for all material possessions in this world are only temporary.  Our permanent investments are the mitzvot and good deeds we perform in this world which provides for the comfort of a Jew’s true dwelling place in the World-to-Come.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.