How does that old commercial go? Double your Parsha, double your fun? No? Well, that’s our story this week, and we’re sticking to it. This week, the Jewish people are reading the double parsha Chukat-Balak, in which some major moments for the Israelite people and their leaders occur with regard to the question of trusting God. Spoiler alert: Torah wants us to trust God! But what does that trust mean for us?
The first instance, and perhaps the most famous in our reading of Chukat, is the moment when Moses strikes a rock to produce water. It is this action that most directly leads to Moses’ denial of entry into the land of Israel. In this instance, God did intend for water to spring forth from the rock, but the instruction was for Moses to speak to it. In his frustration with the people’s complaints, he strikes the rock instead. The water is still produced, but it represents an affront to God, who says to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to affirm my sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the land I have given them.”
Yes, Torah tells us to trust God. No, Torah does not tell us that lacking trust or faith is not allowed or will be punished. The grave sin committed by Moses is not that he lacked trust, but that his undermining of God’s power would perhaps contribute to others losing faith. We are meant to support each other’s feelings of faith, not to hinder them.
Later, in Balak, we read the story of Balaam and his attempts to curse the Israelite people. Balak, the king of Moab, hires Balaam to do just that, but he is unable. Instead of cursing the people, God instructs Balaam to bless them! You might even know one of his most famous blessings: “Mah Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov” — “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob!”
One might notice that this all takes place out of sight and mind of the Israelite people and could wonder why it is that we even know the story. Perhaps the answer lies in the rest of the blessings that Balaam pronounces for the Israelite people. God affirms, through Balaam, that the people have a bright and limitless future and that their blessers will be blessed and their cursers will be cursed. These blessings are not just upon us, but they are also for us. They are a reminder of the nature of our covenant with God. A covenant, like any agreement, must be based on trust!
This week, let us remember to trust in God, to support each other’s faith, and that our tents are, in fact, so lovely. May we have the wherewithal to believe in our future and to act toward fulfilling our blessings. I trust that we can do it!