Changing Narratives: Balak

Due to the attempted assassination of Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, I thought it would be fruitless exercise to finish and post anything this weekend. An act of political violence which left one spectator killed and two others were seriously wounded certainly consumes a country’s psyche.

With this event, the talking heads abound have come forward to indicate that there is now a new “narrative” with respect to the upcoming election. Candidate Trump, with his pending convention, is now in need of re-tooling his message. The notion of “changing narratives” ties is the subject of the Torah Portion Balak.

The Torah Portion involves Balaam, a great non-Israelite prophet, who was commissioned by the Moab King, Balak, to curse the Children of Israel. Balaam, son of Peor, had a reputation with respect to the effectiveness of his curses and blessings.

Before this was to occur, however, Balaam was confronted by the Israelite Deity. He was told not to curse the Children of Israel. Numbers 22:12. Balaam heeded to those words and declined the task. He, however, continued to be subjected to pressure from Balak. The Israelite Deity, at that point, tells Balaam to continue on the Balak’s mission. The Deity told him, however, that the “narrative” will be changed. He would be now speaking with the Lord’s directions. Numbers 22:20.

The next day, Balaam continued on the mission. This angered God. [note: Was it because Balaam had not agreed to fulfill the Israelite Deity’s wishes? Or, was it that the Israelite Deity did not believe that Balaam would do so?]

During the journey, Balaam rode an ass. During the journey, an invisible sword bearing angel stood in the road blocking the ass. The ass reacted accordingly to avoid the angel. Balaam struck the ass three times for perceived disobedience.

Balaam spoke to his ass and the ass responded. Essentially, the ass essentially expressed he was safely transporting Balaam. When Balaam denied this notion, he had a revelation. His eyes opened to the fact that there was an angel that was standing on the road with a sword drawn in hand.

The angel told Balaam “and the ass saw me and turned in front of me these three times. If she hadn’t turned from in front of me, I would have killed you, too, by now and kept her alive!” Numbers 22:33. Balaam, after this life-changing moment, accepted the new “narrative”. He goes on to bless the Children of Israel.

For Humans, existentialism changes narratives. Life-changing moments, such as illness or facing death head on, can re-shape one’s thinking. For instance, someone believing that they are healthy, might receive a diagnosis of cancer and be told that they have a few months to live. Faced with this, priorities change.

In the United States, there are many voices upon which their narratives may change as a result of this most recent dangerous act of political theater. The candidates, the political parties, the media and the voters all have a moment upon which they can reflect and choose a “new” narrative.

Is the new narrative one in which there is a call to diminish the rhetoric? Is it one in which there is a call to consider the best interests of the country versus one’s political party?

Or, is this moment one upon which will amount to brief hiccup? After all, for the media, the pursuit of clout demands that there be newer and shinier controversies. Will many of those participating in the country’s politics and governance simply return to business as usual?

Balaam, in his moment, made history. His new narrative is still remembered and recited on a daily basis as part of liturgy. His blessing which includes the famous line “How good your tents are, Jacob” Numbers 24:5, aka Mah Tovu. Presently, as the nation comes to understand and appreciate that there is a narrative reset, we will wait to see if any profound words, thoughts or actions come forth.

Be well!!

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