Status:Completed
Date: Tammuz 15 5785
IYH this Torah post is dedicated to teshuvah gamour of דָּנִיֵּאל יַעֲקֹב ben אסתר
TL;DR
Rav Touitou's French shiur explores Balak’s narrative as a springboard to discuss divine protection, Israel’s unique destiny, the struggle of good and evil, and the ultimate triumph of light at the End of Days.
I. The Power of Torah Study and Its Impact 📖✨
The Rav begins by sharing testimonies of transformation. One listener wrote, “I was angry with G’d for 10 years. Since discovering you on YouTube I am truly returning to the Torah and the Mitzvot.” While not every course is universally praised, a significant majority of students report feeling “enormously reinforced” by these teachings.
II. The Geulah (Redemption) & the End of Days 🌅
Central to the shiur is the promise that the Geulah will arrive suddenly, restarting history in a new cycle. The prophets assure us that Israel will remain “the highest nation at the End of Days,” meaning it will be very good to be Jewish when history culminates. This future elevation explains the intense hatred Israel endures now; great investment yields great reward. On social media, nations already debate the idea of “Greater Israel,” reflecting a subconscious acknowledgment of G’d’s plan. As the Rav reminds us, what G’d decides is what we will have.
III. Balak and Bilam: Hidden Layers of Divine Intervention 🔮
The story of Balak, king of Moav, uniting with Midian to destroy Israel, reveals timeless patterns of unity against the Jewish people. Balak lifts Bilam as “prophet of the nations,” yet both invoke the Name of G’d of Israel in their sacrifices. Bilam’s insight into G’d’s anger—a fraction of a second at dawn—shows his prophetic gift. Balak’s own sorcery exceeds Bilam’s, but Bilam’s reputation rests on his words causing the death of giants Og and Sion. Despite their schemes, G’d transforms every curse into a blessing. Those blessings echo from one end of the world to the other, unheard only by Israel itself. One blessing unfolds immediately; the rest await the Messiah, who will descend like a star from heaven to earth 🌟. In that era, Israel’s light will bring unity and peace to humanity.
IV. Antisemitism and Divine Protection 🛡️
History demonstrates that attempts to annihilate Israel only strengthen her. Pharaoh’s oppression yielded Passover, Haman’s plot inspired Purim, the Greeks’ persecution ignited Hanukkah, and even Hitler’s atrocities prefaced the establishment of the State of Israel. Nations intuitively know Israel will endure forever, making antisemitism the greatest waste of time. Today’s unmasked hatred signals the End of Days.
Israel’s unique mission is to “make an omelet without breaking eggs,” striving for peace without violence 🕊️.
The world’s disproportionate focus on Israel’s conflicts compared to the indifference shown toward mass atrocities in places like Ukraine, the Congo, Xinjiang and elsewhere exposes a deep-seated bias—“you know why no one cares? Because there are no Jews” 😔
V. The Role of Faith (Emunah) and Divine Providence 🙏
The Rav underscores the necessity of trusting in G’d’s hidden plan, even when it defies human logic. When we set aside our own limited intelligence to engage Divine intelligence, “you will see incredible results in terms of emunah.” A vivid example comes from medieval Fez, where an antisemite attempted to murder a renowned Rabbi. Despite the assailant’s weapon, G’d’s subtle interventions—a timely guest, a persistent mosquito, a sudden stomach illness—protected the Rabbi. Confronted with these miracles, the would-be murderer blessed “the G’d of Israel who protects you.”
Modern events—missile barrages and terror attacks—also serve as reminders of everyday miracles. Though there have been casualties, the numbers remain far below what natural circumstances would predict. This gap between expectation and outcome is itself a testament to Divine Providence. At the core of Judaism lies the hope for resurrection of the dead. Jewish burial customs, with graves crafted to allow easy exit, declare that the departed are merely “asleep” until the final awakening.
VI. The Significance of Shabbat and the Role of Angels 🌙
Shabbat stands apart from other festivals because it is not proclaimed by human authorities; it “comes to find you,” testifying to the sanctity of creation itself.
When a worshipper leaves the synagogue on Friday night, two angels accompany him home. One is Gabriel, the angel of good, and the other is the angel of evil, representing the nations of the world. They enter the house to inspect its Shabbat readiness: the table’s preparation, the lit candles, and a bedroom arranged according to Halakha. If all is in order, Gabriel proclaims a blessing: “May next Shabbat bring these same blessings,” and even the angel of evil must say Amen. If the home is unprepared, the angel of evil utters a curse, and Gabriel can only respond with a solemn Amen.
Jacob’s encounter with the angel—understood as the angel of Esav or even Death—demonstrates that even the most fearsome heavenly being can bless a steadfast person of Torah.
VII. The Eternal Legacy of Israel’s Adversaries ⏳
Those who strive to destroy Israel unwittingly secure their own place in history. From Bilam and Balak in the Torah to Haman, Titus, Torquemada, and Hitler, their names live on in infamy “in honor of the people of Israel.” This paradox reveals G’d’s design: even the malice of Israel’s enemies becomes a stage for His greater purpose. To believe in the Bible yet deny Israel’s central role is, as the speaker declares, “downright foolish,” for Israel is “the people of history, the people of the Bible.”
VIII. Key Takeaways and Implications 💡
Divine Providence is never absent but often hidden, guiding events to protect Israel and fulfill G’d’s promises. Despite persecution and disproportionate global condemnation, Israel’s destiny is unwavering: to become the highest nation at the End of Days, illuminating the world with unity and peace. The disciplines of Torah study, mitzvot, and Shabbat observance channel Divine blessings and repel negative forces.
The rise of unmasked antisemitism signals the nearness of the final Redemption, when curses will be annulled and the Mashiach’s arrival will usher in a harmonious world. Above all, unwavering emunah—trust in G’d’s concealed wisdom—unveils life’s hidden miracles and secures our place in G’d’s eternal plan.