Parshat Balak & 17 Tammuz: Light in Times of Mourning

Good morning, everyone.

This Sunday, Im Yirtzeh Hashem, we fast in observance of Shiva Asar B’Tammuz, marking the start of the Three Weeks, the mourning period known as Bein Hametzarim. During this emotionally heavy time, we must fill ourselves with positive, spiritual nourishment. The question is: how?

Let’s look at both the haftarah of Yirmiyahu and the story of Bilaam in Parshat Balak for timeless lessons that can uplift and transform us—even in times of sadness.

“Ma Atta Ro’eh?” – What Do You See?

In the first haftarah of the Three Weeks, Hashem asks the prophet Yirmiyahu, “Ma Atta Ro’eh?” – “What do you see?” This question is not just for Yirmiyahu; it’s for each of us.

As we look at the events unfolding around us—globally and personally—how do we see them? Are we passive, or are we spiritually awake? Hashem is always sending us messages; are we paying attention?

The Blindness of Bilaam

In Parashat Balak, Bilaam is shown clear signs from Heaven. His own donkey speaks to him! Yet he fails to stop and reflect. Only when Hashem opens his eyes does he say:“Chatati, ki lo yadati” – “I have sinned, for I did not know.”

But if he didn’t know, how is it a sin?

Because he should have known.

Bilaam’s error was not in making a mistake—but in choosing not to see. When the donkey veered off path, he could’ve asked questions. Instead, he continued blindly, guided by ego and personal agenda.

The Torah teaches us: When unusual things happen, big or small, pause and ask: What is Hashem trying to tell me?

Gratitude for the Unseen Kindness

Chazal reveal that Am Yisrael was unaware of Bilaam’s evil plans. What a powerful chesed—to be protected from threats we don’t even see!

This reminds us of the daily miracles we experience without even realizing. “Niflaot lo levado” – Hashem alone knows how many dangers He saves us from. Our task is to walk through life with gratitude and awareness.

Bilaam’s Blessings: Three Messages of Hope

Hashem turned Bilaam’s curses into blessings—and embedded within them are three key lessons for the Three Weeks:

1. “MiRosh Tzurim Er’enu” – Remember Our Roots

“From the top of the rocks I see them.”

Rashi explains that Tzurim (rocks) represent our forefathers—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—unshakable in their emunah. Like Sarah Imeinu, who was physically like a barren rock, yet never stopped believing. And through her emunah, the impossible happened.

Lesson: Nothing is impossible for Hashem. Even when all logic is against us, faith opens the gates of the miraculous.

A Story:A Rav once rode in a shared taxi with six yeshiva students. The non-religious driver refused to say a bracha on his ice lolly. The Rav offered to pay for the empty seat if the driver would just say a bracha so they could answer “Amen.” The driver agreed.

25 years later, a young man at a baal teshuva event stood up:"That driver was my father. Because of that bracha and those Amens, our whole family came closer to Torah."

Never underestimate the power of one small spiritual spark.

2. “Hen Am KeLavi Yakum” – Rise Like a Lion

The Jewish people are praised for their alacrity. They “rise like lions” to do mitzvot with passion and immediacy.

Lesson: “Mitzvah haba’ah b’yadecha al tachmitzena” – When you have the opportunity to do a mitzvah, don’t delay.

Every time you push off that phone call, that Tehillim, that kind word—it may never happen. Let’s act now. That’s the Jewish way.

3. “Ka’azay Mayim Nita” – Keep It Fresh

“Like cedar trees planted by water.”

Trees by water stay vibrant, fruitful, and evergreen. This is how Bilaam sees Am Yisrael—constantly renewing, never robotic.

Lesson: Spiritual life must be alive. We say brachot daily—how can we say them with new kavanah? We daven three times a day—how can we find new personal meaning?

The greatest danger is spiritual habit. The greatest strength is spiritual renewal.

The Breaches of Shiva Asar B’Tammuz: Rebuilding from Within

On Shiva Asar B’Tammuz, the walls of Yerushalayim were breached. A small crack led to a national tragedy.

Lesson: In our lives, small breaches—one skipped davening, one extra hour scrolling, one moment of anger—can snowball. The Yetzer Hara doesn’t need much.

Yet just as the Luchot were broken on this day, and even the shattered tablets were preserved, we too must honor our broken pieces—and build again. One mitzvah, one tefillah, one moment of connection can rebuild worlds.

A Bar Mitzvah Saved by Chesed

During the recent riots in Israel, a Rav prepared for his son’s Bar Mitzvah. A close friend canceled at the last minute—he had to attend his brother’s wedding the same day. The Rav was heartbroken.

Feeling terrible, the friend rescheduled the wedding for a week earlier. That act saved the simcha—because riots later shut down the city.

Sometimes, when we give in for someone else, we unlock blessings beyond what we could imagine. As it says:“Hen Am KeLavi Yakum” – the greatness of Am Yisrael lies in their action, selflessness, and heart.

May This Be the Last Time We Fast

As we enter the Three Weeks, let’s take these lessons to heart:

• Open your eyes – ask what Hashem wants from you

• Act with alacrity – don’t delay mitzvot

• Keep your spirit fresh – renew your emunah

• Rebuild your broken places – even from small steps

• Be grateful – for the miracles you don’t even see

May this be the last time we fast on Shiva Asar B’Tammuz. May we merit the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash, and may we see the coming of Mashiach soon, b’rachamim.

Have a beautiful Shabbos and an easy fast. Sending all my love from Antwerp.

Written in 2019 | Timeless inspiration for today