Maamar, Korah Shochav Ko’ari, 12 Tammuz 5716
A. Balaam’s Prophecy
In his prophecy, Balaam compares the Jewish people to a lion and a lioness (Source 1). The Sages note that there was a thought to include the section of Balak in the recitation of the Shema (Source 2), since it states: “He crouches and lies down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him?” which alludes to the two times of reciting Shema—when lying down and when rising.
Question: Why doesn’t the Talmud bring proof from the verse “Behold, a people rises like a lioness and raises itself like a lion” (Source 3)?
Answer: Because in that verse the order is reversed: it mentions rising before lying down, unlike the first verse which matches the Torah’s wording: “When you lie down and when you rise.”
Later, we will explain the deeper meaning of the verse according to Chassidic teachings.
B. “Lies Down” — Asleep and Sick
It says in Song of Songs: “On my bed at night I sought the one my soul loves; I sought him, but I did not find him,” and the Midrash explains that the word “bed” implies both sleep and illness (Source 4).
Sleep — Spiritual Exile
During sleep, the body appears normal, but the soul’s powers are not properly synchronized with the body. For example, eyes exist but the person does not see.
In serving G-d: when a person is spiritually awake, they fulfill “Lift up your eyes on high” and recognize that the world is governed by the Creator, as Abraham our forefather revealed (Source 5). This is also the meaning of the sages’ statement “Who is wise? One who sees what is born” (Source 7). As explained by the Alter Rebbe in the Tanya, the deeper meaning is that a person understands how all of creation was brought into being from nothing, through G-d’s word (Source 8).
In contrast, when a person is spiritually asleep, they do not see or internalize that the world has a ruler. This can lead them to act improperly and contrary to Torah’s guidance.
Illness — Spiritual Danger
Minor transgressions: The connection between a Jew and G-d is like a rope made of 613 strands. When a person transgresses many prohibitions, even minor ones, they cut strand after strand, weakening their bond with G-d (Source 8).
Excessive indulgence: When a person immerses themselves in excessive permissible desires—even when everything is technically kosher—they become “separated” and distanced from holiness. Moreover, this can lead them to prohibited behavior (see the story of Rabbi Elazar ben Arach in Source 9).
Root of the illness — the missing point: The word “ill” has the numerical value of 49, symbolizing a lack of the 50th gate—the gate of supernal wisdom. This reflects a state where a person relies only on their own intellect and understanding, lacking the essential point of faith, the “point in the palace,” which is a simple faith and essential bond with G-d that connects the intellect to Divinity in an intrinsic way.
When one relies solely on their own reasoning, they can stray from the path. Initially it’s a mild illness, but it can escalate into a serious spiritual fall. To heal, one must instill within their mind and soul the 50th gate: the point of simple faith and essential connection with G-d that exists perfectly within every Jew.
C. The Remedy
What should a person do if they find themselves in a state of “sleep” or even mild or severe “illness”? This is the moment to awaken “the one my soul loves,” that hidden, inherent love embedded in every Jewish heart. About this Balaam says: “He crouches and lies down like a lion,” meaning that even when the people are in a state of sleep, of spiritual exile, they can awaken and reconnect with G-d.
D. A People Like a Lion
Now we understand why the Talmud specifically chose to cite the verse “He crouches and lies down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him?” because this verse emphasizes the inner power of the Jewish people, even during spiritual sleep and illness in exile (“lies down”), to prevail over all obstacles.
Encouragement for this work also comes through miracles, whether an open miracle like the splitting of the Sea, or a hidden miracle like the miracle of Purim. Sometimes during exile, one sees a miraculous light, which gives renewed strength and momentum.
