When Donkeys Talk

I can’t be the only one who connects Donkey from the Shrek movies with our parsha.

Balak, King of Moav, wants to hire the non-Jewish prophet Balaam to curse the Jews. Balaam has a reputation for his curses coming true. There’s a whole back and forth between Balaam and God. God says, “don’t go.” Balaam hedges and waits. God ultimately relents but warns Balaam that he must only pronounce what God commands him to say. And that is, in fact, what happens. Balaam sets up to curse the Jews three times, and, instead, can only bless them as per God’s instructions. Balak is angry and send Balaam packing. (Although the postscript is murkier as it seems Balaam gets his curses in afterwards.)

On his way to Balak and the Jews, we encounter the famous donkey. An angel thrice blocks Balaam’s path with increasing harmful effect – but only the donkey can see this. Balaam, dumb to the vision of his animal, gets increasingly impatient and, after the third disruption, he strikes the animal harshly. At this point, God intervenes and lets Balaam in on the secret in a surprising way.

“And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey.” (Bamidbar 22:28)

The donkey protests Balaam’s violent treatment. “Why did you beat me three times? Am I not your loyal beast? Have I ever put you in danger?” Only at this point, does God open Balaam’s eyes to see the dangerous angel blocking the path, and he realizes that he must obey God’s wishes.

Can’t God deliver a message to Balaam in the usual way prophets get messages – a message, a human-sounding voice? Some scholars (Rambam, Rabbi Saadiah Gaon) explain the talking donkey is a vision and not a conversation. Even for those commentators who take the text literally (Ramban, Ibn Ezra), why does God deliver a message this way? The question is even stronger as the Sages (Avot 5:6) identify “the mouth of the talking donkey” as a unique aspect of creation that came into being at the very last minute, on Friday during twilight.

What’s up with the donkey? 

1)  The talking donkey teaches koach ha-dibbur, the power of speech.

Despite God’s warning, Balaam embarked on this journey expecting to say whatever he wanted about the Jews. That is not how it works. God who can make the donkey speak will determine the words Balaam says and their impact. The Ramban writes:

“The reason for this miracle was to impress upon Balaam that God is the Bestower of the power of speech and can even open the mouth of the mute. Certainly, God can also stop up the mouth of those who speak, or place in their mouths the words that God wishes them to speak, for nothing is beyond God’s ability. Let not Balaam follow then his magical and mysterious practices in order to curse the people…”

The talking donkey catches our attention as well. Speech is a powerful tool in the human arsenal. A kind word or encouraging comment or a simple expression of prayer can enhance us, build relationships, and make the world better. Words can also hurt. A lot. Balaam’s donkey spoke - in a human way - so that we should understand how the gift of speech lets us convey thoughts in a way that considers the recipient’s context and feelings. 

2)  The talking donkey teaches humility.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks describes the talking donkey episode as comical:

“[O]nly one thing provokes Divine laughter, namely human pretension. Balaam had won renown as the greatest prophet of his day…who held the secrets of blessing and curse. God now proceeds to show Balaam that when He so chooses, even his donkey is a greater prophet than he. The donkey sees what Balaam cannot see: the angel standing in the path, barring their way. God humbles the self-important, just as He gives importance to the humble. When human beings think they can dictate what God will say, God laughs. And, on this occasion, so do we.”

A talking donkey in the Torah?!? That’s ridiculous! Yes, it is. As ridiculous as thinking we are in charge. We’re not. God is. 

3)  The talking donkey teaches loyalty.

Rabbi Moshe Taragin very creatively focuses on the words the donkey speaks.

“Am I not your donkey upon which you’ve ridden for so long. Have I ever endangered you this way before?”

Balaam shows no loyalty to his longtime donkey. Things go sideways, and he simply gets angry. Is that how to repay a dependable companion? I know donkeys are not the same as dogs or other pets, but they work hard and deserve some patience and tolerance.

What’s true between humans and animals is, even more so, true when it comes to the relationship between people. We live in this world together with others. The first whiff of trouble or disagreement should not be met with anger and violence. We owe each other respect and kindness.  

The talking donkey is one of the most surprising characters in the Torah. Its appearance grabs our attention and imagination. Besides teaching Balaam a lesson or two, it speaks to us of the power of speech, the value of humility, and the power of loyalty.

All lessons we need to hear.