Rabbi Yaakov Glויבerman: Fear Versus Leadership in the Balaam Story

In his weekly Torah talk for Parashat Balak, Rabbi Yaakov Gloiberman says the story shows a sharp contrast between fear-driven and faith-driven leadership. He focuses on Balak, king of Moab, who saw Israel’s military successes and felt a grave threat, so he hired Balaam, the wicked prophet, to curse the Jewish people and hinder them.

Gloiberman contrasts that response with Moses, who, even when he feared Og, king of Bashan, did not project fear onto the nation or weaken its spirit. A true leader, he says, especially in difficult and challenging moments, must inspire courage, faith, and hope, and must not cause discouragement or fear.

He also draws a distinction between Moab and Midian. Balak acted out of what seemed like a natural defensive concern, since every country seeks to protect its borders. The Midianites, by contrast, entered a conflict that was not theirs at all.

Citing Rashi, he says the Midianites “meddled in a quarrel that was not theirs.” The message, he concludes, is that Israel is the only son of the Holy One, blessed be He, and anyone who stands against Israel is regarded as standing against God.