Parshas Chukas-Balak: Balak, Bilaam, and the Other Side of the Coin

Rabbi Liff connects Parshas Balak to the beginning of the Three Weeks, showing how Bilaam's inner corruption stands opposite the ayin tovah of Avraham Avinu and Aharon HaKohen. The episode turns on "Ma tovu ohalecha Yaakov," explaining that the ohalim of Torah and tefillah do not only sustain those inside them; they bring good to all of Klal Yisrael. He also reflects on the yahrtzeit of Rav Avraham Shmuelevitz, sharing memories and teachings about being meitiv to others, seeing another Yid's pain, and preparing for the Three Weeks with sincerity rather than comfort. The central call is to see the mailos chaveirecha and rebuild the inner shalom that is the foundation of the Beis HaMikdash. ## Key Sources / Stories - Mishnah Avos: talmidim of Avraham Avinu versus talmidim of Bilaam HaRasha. - Pnei Menachem on why the Mishnah speaks about the talmidim of Avraham and Bilaam. - Sforno on "Ma tovu ohalecha Yaakov, mishkenosecha Yisrael." - Rabbi Liff's address to kitah ches boys at Toras Moshe in Ramat Beit Shemesh. - Rav Avraham Shmuelevitz on the Alter of Slabodka saying "good morning" even when the neighbor could not hear. - Aharon HaKohen's yahrtzeit on Rosh Chodesh Av and his role as the model of ahavah, achvah, shalom, v'rei'us. - Rav Motta Frank and the need to feel the mesirus nefesh and pain of chayalim and their families. - Rav Avraham Shmuelevitz on the Nine Days menu and the need to feel the churban. ## Parsha Connection Parshas Balak gives the contrast between Balak and Bilaam's hatred and Klal Yisrael's inner strength: Torah, tefillah, tznius, and ayin tovah. Rabbi Liff uses that contrast to enter the Three Weeks with a focus on ahavas Yisrael and seeing the goodness in another Yid.