The Battle for Holiness
In this weeks' Torah reading, Bilam and Balak attack Klal Yisrael with two evil schemes. When Bilam tries to curse Klal Yisrael, HaShem intervenes and converts his words to blessings. Next, Bilam advises the Moabite women to entice the men of Israel to sin. Unfortunately, many men fell to immorality, which resulted in a deadly plague. Why did HaShem protect them from Bilam's curses, but not from falling to indecency? Since they were helpless to stop Bilam's curses, HaShem protected them. Whereas, despite their great test, they were responsible to control themselves from giving in to the whims of wanton desire.
Lesson: HaShem protects us from hidden spiritual threats. Whereas, in situations where the battle is an our hands, a spiritually oriented person preserves his spirituality by mastering his earthly desires.
App: Be inspired by knowing that the more you prevail over your physical challenges, the more you will purify your body, sanctify your soul, and discover inner joy. to view the Salant Mussar Library Collection
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L"N Rav Yochanon Mordecai Ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leach bas Yehudah
Refuah Shleimah
Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta
Leiba Zlota bas Chana
Shalom Yoseph ben Leiba Zlota
Daniel Zvi ben Yochevd
Riva bas Henya
Zivia bas Raizel |
