Back in 1996, Rabbi Finman was asked to speak to the niece of one of his students. After spending many hours answering her questions, the woman gave Rabbi Finman her e-mail address. Rabbi Finman wrote the woman a note and included in it a short insight into that week's Parsha and a short Chasidic story.

Realizing that this was something no one was yet doing,, Rabbi Finman sent the missive to his mailing list of about 30 people. Requests from recipients friends came pouring in. The next week Rabbi Finman sent the e-Parsha to 100 people. Within a year more than 2000 people were receiving it. Today, more than 14,000 receive the e-Parsha weekly and the requests keep coming in.

Vaeschanon 5785
Dvorim 5785
Matos Masai 5785
Balak 5785
Chukas 5785

Balak 5785

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This week's YouParsha Balak http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6307RZUSCYI. Bilaam Predicts Moshiach?.

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This week's Parsha, Balak - Numbers 22 - 24, features Bilaam and his famous talking donkey. One point that always perplexed me: Bilaam was hired by Balak king of Moav to curse the Jews. G'd told Bilaam not to as the Jews were a blessed people. Bilaam decided to go anyway. On the way, Bilaam is met by a destroying angel. Bilaam does not see the angel but his donkey does. After three attempts by the donkey to avoid the destroyer and being beaten by Bilaam, Hashem opens the donkey's mouth and it begins talking (could this be where the idea of Mr Ed and Donkey come from?). Bilaam engages in a casual conversation. There is no feeling of surprise or shock by Bilaam that his donkey is having a conversation of the polemics of simply doing what one is told or remain loyal one's sense of morality and decency.

Bilaam was the antithesis to Moses. His level of prophecy was phenomenal, having the ability to call on G'd at his own call. Bilaam is referred to as, "One who knew his master and rebelled against him." The donkey was Bilaam's vehicle by which he was able to communicate with Hashem (the Zohar explains that Bilaam would first have to have relations with his donkey before experiencing prophecy. Moshe remained in the utmost level of purity to experience prophecy). He knew that this donkey was no ordinary donkey (there are those that say that this donkey was the same donkey that Avrohom used for the binding of Isaac and will be the same donkey that moshiach rides). Something as unexpected as the donkey talking was no surprise to Bilaam.

Every story in the Torah poses a lesson. Bilaam understood that G'd is in control and unexpected miracles occur. He recognized them as miracles and understood that the Almighty never performs a miracle for no purpose. Divine involvement is abounding. We need to recognize this intervention and use it help make the world a better place.

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The situation in Hadera, Israel was crucial. A man had perched himself on a ledge six stories up and threatened to jump. A crackerjack team of police, psychologists and even the mayor gathered to try to convince the man not to jump. After what appeared to be an eternity, the man finally called down, "I will only speak with the Chabad Rabbi." Within in minutes, the Chabad rabbi was speaking from a window with the man. Shortly thereafter, the man decided to come inside. He was treated and returned to a normal life. When asked why he listened to the rabbi he said, "All those other people were there because they are paid to do their job. The Chabad rabbi loves me."

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