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First Reading, Second Reading, Third Reading, Fourth Reading, Fifth Reading, Sixth Reading, Seventh Reading, Last Reading |
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First Reading, Second Reading, Third Reading, Fourth Reading, Fifth Reading, Sixth Reading, Seventh Reading, Last Reading |
Balak |  |
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| | 24:25 |
With that, Balaam set out and returned home. Balak also went on his way.
Vayakom Bil'am vayelech vayashov limkomo vegam-Balak halach ledarko. |
| 25:1 |
Israel was staying in Shittim when the people began to behave immorally with the Moabite girls.
Vayeshev Yisra'el baShitim vayachel ha'am liznot el-benot Moav. |
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Commentary:
Balaam set out
See Numbers 31:8.
| Shittim
This is the 'stream of Shittim' mentioned in Joel 4:18 (Sefer HaYashar). This can also be translated 'Acacia Grove' (cf. Saadia); see Exodus 25:4. The Israelites remained here until they crossed the Jordan (Joshua 2:1, 3:1). See note on Numbers 22:1.
| began to
(Targum). Or, 'desecrated themselves' (Septuagint). This was done at Balaam's advice (Numbers 31:16; Sanhedrin 106a; Tanchuma 18; Rashi; Josephus, 4:6:6).
| Moabite girls
The Moabite girls may have initiated this, but it was the Midianite girls who were primarily involved; see Numbers 25:6, 31:2,15,16 (Josephus, Antiquities 4:6:7; cf. Bava Kama 38 a,b; Ramban on 25:18; Abarbanel; Malbim).
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