The Lion King

10:04:20 In Parshat Balak, the wicked Balaam, who intended to curse the Jewish people ended up being forced by God to pronounce blessings upon them. In Balaam’s second blessing (Bamidbar 23:24), he uses the following parable: “Hen am k’lavie yakum v’chari yitnansa”, “Behold the people will arise like a lion cub and raise itself like a lion”. According to Onkelos, Balaam foretold that Israel would begin its conquest of the Land and like a young lion maturing to full strength, grow even more powerful. It would not finish its work until it conquered and plundered all of the C’naanite kings. Rashi, quoting Midrash Tanchuma states that from the moment a Jew arises in the morning, they seek to perform commandments such as reciting the Shma prayer, the way that a growing lion learns to become skilled at seeking prey. In Balaam’s third blessing (Bamidbar 24:9), he uses a similar parable “Kara shachav kiari u’chelavie mi yekimenu?” “He crouched and lay down like a lion and like a lion cub- who can stand him up? According to Rashi, the Jewish people shall occupy the Land of Israel with strength and power. Onkelos adds that once they are there, they will be immovable. Rabbi Zechariah Tubi of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh states that the more the Jewish people are involved in keeping the mitzvoth, our claim to the land will become stronger. The lavie, the young lion, is quick to do mitzvoth, the ari, the older lion holds on to the land. If we each take this opportunity to focus on a stronger commitment to mitzvah observance, then we can help make this bracha a reality. We must do our part to ensure that Israel will remain in Jewish hands forever.