Parashat Balak 5785-12 July 2025 / 16 Tamuz 5785

Mr. Murthy Gaddi
Jul 10
7 min read

GADDI NOTES FROM THE SAGES WRITINGS:

Bilaam’s Curse : The Voice of the Nations and the Soul of Israel

l“BALAK’S VISION: PEERING THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF WISDOM AND THE SHADOWS OF THE STARS”

The phrase “And Balak the son of Tzippor saw…” (Numbers 22:2) may appear straightforward in its surface meaning — that Balak saw Israel encamped and was afraid — yet the Jewish sages, especially in Zoharic and Midrashic writings, reveal hidden layers of perception implied by the word “saw” (וַיַּרְא).“And Balak the son of Tzippor saw…” (Numbers 22:2). What exactly did he see? The sages explain that Balak perceived through two dimensions: with his physical eyes, and through the “window of wisdom” — a mystical portal connected to spiritual forces.The “tails of the skirts of the stars” are allegorical expressions describing these celestial windows, which allow glimpses into higher knowledge. Among them, there exists one unique window through which the very essence of wisdom may be seen.Balak accessed this vision through his own particular form of wisdom. Called “the son of a bird” (ben Tzippor), he derived his magical arts through birds, observing their behavior as omens.He would watch a bird pluck a herb or glide through the air, and upon performing specific rites and incantations, the bird would return with grass in its mouth. Balak would place the bird in a cage, tie knots before it, and it would begin to reveal knowledge to him.With each magical act, the bird chirped and soared off to what the sages call the “open of eye” — a mystical realm of knowledge — then returned to Balak with answers.He would speak keywords like “the people”, and the bird responded, “Israel”; he said “exceedingly”, and it answered, “numerous”.This ritual of seventy exchanges filled him with dread, as it is written: “Moav was very afraid of the people, for they were many” (Numbers 22:3).Thus, all of Balak’s wisdom was rooted in the dark arts of divination, accessed through a bird — a reflection of how distorted mystical knowledge can provoke fear before the holiness of Israel.

🔮 “Balak Saw” – Two Levels of Vision

📖 Bamidbar 22:2“Balak the son of Tzippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites…”The Zohar (Balak 199b–200a) teaches that: “Balak saw not only with physical eyes but also ‘through the window of wisdom.’”This refers to two types of vision:🔹 Chitzoniut (external sight) – through his physical eyes.🔹 Pnimiut (inner sight) – through sitra achra (“the other side”), a form of klipah-based mystical perception, impure but real.

🪟 The Tails of the Skirts of the Stars: Windows of Wisdom

This cryptic phrase from the Zohar suggests the use of astrological and occult knowledge:“The tails of the skirts of the stars are the windows of wisdom.”

The “skirts of the stars” are metaphors for the trailing light and influence of the celestial spheres.

The “tails” signify the lesser, indirect emanations of the stars — interpreted in kabbalistic language as outer klipot (husks), where corrupted wisdom resides.

These “windows” are openings — channels of insight into divine governance — but can be misused by those who peer into the heavenly realms without purity.

✡️ Midrashic Parallel

The Midrash Tanchuma and Bamidbar Rabbah note that:

Balak was a sorcerer, like Bilaam. He used astrological signs, watching stars and portents, to perceive that Israel’s emergence spelled danger for the nations.

This aligns with the Zohar’s image of him peering through forbidden celestial gates.

👁️ Balak’s Vision vs. Prophetic Vision

Unlike the vision of Moshe (clear, direct, aspaklaria hame’irah), Balak’s vision was distorted, filtered through self-interest and fear.

🔹 Ramban (on Bamidbar 22:2) notes:

Balak had access to ancient mystical traditions, passed down in pagan cultures — but they were perverted derivatives of the original wisdom of creation (Ma’aseh Bereishit).

🧙‍♂️ Balak’s Wisdom: Klipot and the Other Side

🔹 Zohar (Balak 200a) states:“He peered through the window of impurity. There are 32 paths of wisdom, but he accessed only the reflected shadows, not the source.”

True wisdom comes from Chochmah ila’ah (Supernal Wisdom), accessed through purity, humility, and awe.
Balak’s wisdom is klipat nogah — an admixture of light and darkness — potent but spiritually dangerous.

🏔️ Contrast: Balak vs. Moshe

Aspect	Balak	Moshe
Type of Vision	Astrological/Occult (via Klipot)	Prophetic, Pure, Direct (via Tiferet)
Source of Wisdom	Stars’ "skirts", windows of impurity	Divine Light, Aspaklaria Hame’irah
Outcome	Fear, Hatred, Curse	Mercy, Guidance, Blessing
Alignment	Sitra Achra (Other Side)	Kedushah (Holiness)

🌠 Spiritual Insight: What Did Balak Really See?

The sages interpret that Balak saw the rise of the star of Jacob (Numbers 24:17) — a vision of Mashiach — and panicked.

His occult wisdom revealed:

The spiritual power of Israel,
The destiny of redemption,
And the collapse of the nations’ spiritual dominance.

But rather than surrender to truth, he chose to resist it.

🔯 Final Teaching from the Zohar

“There is one window through which the essence of wisdom can be seen.”

– This is Da’at Elyon, the inner channel between Chochmah and Binah — only accessed through purity, Torah, and Tefillah.

Balak’s failure was reaching toward the light through darkness, attempting to manipulate the divine without inner rectification.

TITLE: THE ULTIMATE STAR: THE MESSIANIC LIGHT IN THE WRITINGS OF THE SAGES

1.Zohar (II:172b) – The Star of Jacob and the Opening of the Seventh Gate

The Zohar, drawing on deep kabbalistic roots, expands:

“The star will shine for forty days and forty nights… and the Messiah shall be revealed.”

This “Star of Jacob” is associated with the opening of divine channels, a window into the higher worlds.
The Zohar connects it to Isaiah 11:10 – the root of Jesse, the unifying Messianic figure to whom the nations shall seek.
Here, the star is both a heavenly sign and a metaphor for the spiritual light of Torah and redemption.

🔯 2. Prophetic Breakdown (Midrashic-Style Re-Reading)

✡ “I see him”The first appearance of Mashiach ben Yosef in history — he is the hidden tzaddik, like Yosef HaTzaddik, misunderstood and exiled.

✡ “But not now”He is concealed, hidden from Israel and the nations — his mission unfolds in secret (Sod haTzaddik haNistar).

✡ “I behold him”The reemergence of the redeemer, this time as Mashiach ben David, revealed in power and glory.

✡ “But not near”The long process of history – over 3500 years of preparation, ascent, and tikkun.

✡ “A star will come out of Jacob”A light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6), a tzaddik whose life reflects Torah — Yosef, Yonah, and others who point to Mashiach ben Yosef.

✡ “A scepter will rise out of Israel”The final kingship of David, ruling with justice and awe (cf. Psalm 2, Revelation in later interpretations). To rule the nations (Mashiach ben David) with a rod of iron, smashing those who reject his authority like pottery.

✨ 3.The Star and the Soul: The Inner Message of the Sages

From Daniel 12:3:“Those who bring many to righteousness shall shine like the stars forever.”

The tzaddikim, the righteous, are likened to stars.

Each Jewish soul, in exile or in revelation, carries a piece of that ultimate star — the light of Mashiach, planted in every generation.

🌠 Conclusion: The Ultimate Star in the Tapestry of Redemption

Across the writings of Targum Onkelos, Ramban, Maharal, the Zohar, and others, the “star” in Numbers 24:17 is not merely poetic — it is a cosmic beacon.

It points to:

The suffering and hidden work of Mashiach ben Yosef,
The glorious kingship of Mashiach ben David,
The ongoing radiance of the Tzaddik,
And the inner spark within each soul of Israel, destined to shine like the stars.

"Balak: Curses, Blessings, and the Test of Temptation"

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