What Parashat Balak Teaches About Hashem's Protection

There is a foundational principle of Jewish faith hidden within Parashat Balak. In fact, it is so significant that the Sages considered establishing Parashat Balak as part of the daily mitzvah of Kriat Shema, recited every morning and evening. 

As the Talmud states, "They sought to establish Parashat Balak in Kriat Shema; and why did they not establish it? Because of the burden on the congregation" (Berachot 12b).

What is so special about Parashat Balak that the Sages wanted to include it in Kriat Shema?

Sleeping Peacefully Like a Lion

The answer lies in one of Balaam's blessings: "He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who can rouse him?" (Numbers 24:9).

Rashi explains that this verse parallels the words of Kriat Shema, "when you lie down and when you rise up." Just as a lion sleeps without fear of predators, so too the Jewish people can lie down and rise in peace, protected by Hashem.

At first glance, the connection seems straightforward. The verse mentions lying down and rising up, themes that appear in Kriat Shema. But the Sages clearly saw something much deeper in these words. 

Why was this particular idea considered so central to Jewish faith that they wanted it incorporated into one of Judaism's most important daily prayers?

The answer becomes clearer through the teachings of the Chatam Sofer.

The Torah Portion No One Witnessed

The Talmud makes a curious statement: "Moses wrote his book and the portion of Balaam" (Bava Batra 14b). This is difficult to understand, because the portion of Balaam is already part of the Torah. Why does the Talmud mention it separately?

The Chatam Sofer explains that virtually every event recorded in the Torah was transmitted through witnesses who experienced it firsthand and passed it on through the generations. 

Adam witnessed what took place in Gan Eden and told his descendants. Noah and his sons experienced the Flood and the ark. Shem preserved the traditions of the earlier generations and passed them on. Our forefather Jacob studied in the yeshiva of Shem and Ever and received this chain of knowledge. 

From Jacob the tradition continued through Levi, Amram, and ultimately Moses.

The same was true regarding the mitzvot. The Jewish people saw Moses perform them and learned directly from him how they were to be observed. Every event and every commandment had witnesses who experienced it and transmitted it faithfully to future generations.

The story of Balak and Balaam, however, was different.

The Battle Israel Never Knew About

No one in the Jewish camp knew what was taking place.

Moses did not know about Balak's plans. The people of Israel did not know that Balaam was attempting to curse them. They did not know about the altars, the sacrifices, the repeated efforts to destroy them spiritually, or even the miraculous episode of the speaking donkey.

While all of this was unfolding, the Jewish people continued their journey completely unaware that a battle was being fought on their behalf.

Yet the danger was real. The Talmud teaches that Hashem said to Israel: "Know how many acts of kindness I performed for you, in that I did not become angry in the days of the wicked Balaam. For had I become angry, not one remnant or survivor would have remained." The Sages explain that Balaam possessed a rare ability. He knew how to identify the brief moment each day when Divine judgment is expressed in the world. His intention was to direct his curse at that exact instant.

Had he succeeded, the consequences could have been devastating. But Hashem, in His mercy, prevented that moment of anger from occurring during those days. The Jewish people were rescued from a terrible threat without ever realizing that they were in danger.

Why the Portion of Balaam Is Unique

This is what makes the story of Balak and Balaam unlike any other narrative in the Torah. The Jewish people did not witness the events. Moses did not witness the events. No human testimony exists regarding what happened on those mountaintops between Balak and Balaam.

The only reason we know about it is because Hashem Himself revealed it through the Torah.

According to the Chatam Sofer, this is why the Talmud speaks separately of "the portion of Balaam." It teaches us that even though there were no human witnesses, the account is no less true than any other section of the Torah. Its truth rests on Divine revelation itself.

Anyone who accepts the Torah but questions the story of Balaam because there were no eyewitnesses is, in effect, questioning the Torah's authority as a whole. The portion of Balaam teaches us that not every truth depends upon human observation.

The Hidden Kindness of Hashem

This idea also explains why the Sages wanted Parashat Balak included in Kriat Shema.

The story reveals an extraordinary dimension of Hashem's relationship with His people. The Jewish nation was able to sleep peacefully while Hashem fought a battle for them that they knew nothing about. They did not see the danger, they did not pray specifically about it, and they did not even realize they needed salvation. Yet Hashem protected them all the same.

This is the deeper meaning of lying down "like a lion and like a lioness." A lion sleeps peacefully because it does not fear what surrounds it. In a similar sense, the Jewish people can rest securely because Hashem constantly guards them, even from dangers they cannot see.

The Miracles We Never Know About

This idea sheds light on a verse we recite in Psalms: "To Him Who alone does great wonders, for His kindness endures forever" (Psalms 136).

The Chatam Sofer explains that the phrase "alone does great wonders" refers to miracles that only Hashem knows about. There are countless times when He protects a person from danger without that person ever becoming aware of it. There are threats that never materialize, tragedies that never occur, and battles that are won before we even know they exist.

The story of Balak and Balaam offers a rare glimpse into one of those hidden salvations. It allows us to see what is usually concealed from human eyes and reminds us how deeply Hashem watches over His people.

That is why the Sages saw this portion as so fundamental. It teaches that Hashem's protection is not limited to the dangers we recognize and pray about. Even when we are completely unaware, Hashem continues to guard us with love and care, allowing us to lie down peacefully, like a lion and a lioness, secure beneath His protection.