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The Siddur Project

How Good

By Aaron Eby | Comments (0) | Posted on July 10, 2008

In this week's parashah, Balak, we find the only line in the traditional Siddur to come from a Gentile.

Balaam the prophet was hired by the king of Moab to curse the Jewish people. After multiple unsuccessful attempts at cursing, Balaam finally realized that

טוב בעיני ה' לברך את ישראל.
Tov be'einei hashem levarech et yisra'el. It pleased the LORD to bless Israel. (Numbers 24:1)

(A subtle allusion to this passage is found in the Peace blessing at the end of the Amidah.)

This time, Balaam finally just gave in to God's spirit and gazed at the millions of Israelites amassed in formation according to their tribes. It had to be an impressive, intimidating panorama, a real-life version of what modern-day epic battle films recreate using CGI special effects.

Balaam, overwhelmed, began his prophecy with these words:

מה טובו אהליך יעקב, משכנותיך ישראל.
Mah tovu ohaleicha ya'akov, mishkenoteicha yisra'el. How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! (Numbers 24:5)

Today, we recite this verse upon entering the synagogue. This is because later generations saw additional meaning in these words, since "tent" (ohel, אהל) gained a connotation of a study hall, and "encampment" (mishkan, משכן) is the same word used for the Tabernacle. Jewish teaching refers to the synagogue as a "lesser Temple" (mikdash me'at, מקדש מעט), meaning that a place designated for prayer reflects in some ways the holy Temple and even bears an aspect of holiness. After all, when we pray, God's presence is there with us. Thus, it is fitting to treat our designated places for prayer with respect and acknowledge God's presence when we enter.

God is with us

It is inspiring to think that this verse emerged from an effort to destroy Israel. It is reassuring to know that it is good in HaShem's eyes to bless Israel, especially in times like these. Iran is constantly taunting and threatening the state of Israel. Ahmedinejad is today's version of Pharaoh, Amalek, Balak, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, Antiochus, Hitler, and everyone in between (which, of course, does not bode well for him).

In the wake of Iran's recent missile tests intended to threaten Israel, an amusing news story has come out (reported here, here, and here). The Iranian government supplied a photo to a press agency that ran on the cover of several major newspapers and news web sites, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, the BBC, and MSNBC. The photo depicts four missiles soaring into the sky.

Upon closer examination, it turned out that the picture was digitally altered by the Iranian military's PR department. A similar photo taken at about the same time shows only three missiles in the air, and a grounded missile still sitting on a truck, which apparently failed to fire. The photo was altered to save them the embarrassment of revealing that they had a faulty missile.

Looking at the altered photo, it is easy to see where the billowing smoke and dust coming from one missile just so happens to billow in the very same shape as one of the others. Where the truck is supposed to be, there is a mound of dirt with an identical twin a few feet away.

On the New York Times' blog report on the extra missile, a clever commenter quipped,

I know that these missiles are part of a threat to wipe Israel off the map, but now they've proved that they have the Photoshop capabilities to do it.

While we should never stop praying for Israel, we don't need to be alarmed by threats of annihilation. Ahmedinejad, like his predecessors, is simply playing into the hands of prophecy.

Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us. (Isaiah 8:10)

About the Author: Aaron Eby writes for messiah magazine and other FFOZ publications. He is also the author of the forthcoming siddur project, as well as the forthcoming Hebrew lesson DVD.

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