By Rabbi Dan Lewin
Parashat Balak
The metaphor of a star carries many meanings. In popular culture, a “star” is someone who stands out from the norm — a uniquely gifted individual whose talents radiate outward for others to see. In everyday language, “reaching for the stars” suggests striving for greatness, pushing beyond limits. In mystical literature, a star — bright light piercing the backdrop of darkness — often represents a divine sign, a glimmer of hope. This week, we encounter one of the most powerful future-oriented images in all of Torah in the form of a star.
Faith in the future
The concept of a redeemer and a future era of peace and spiritual enlightenment is central to Jewish thought, mentioned in all the classical sources and repeatedly beseeched in our daily prayers. But is it referenced explicitly in the Torah? For this, we turn to Maimonides, who, in his comprehensive book of Jewish law, writes about the end of days and identifies the biblical sources for these well-known prophecies. He begins with the foundational belief that “in the future, the Messianic king will arise and renew the Davidic dynasty, restoring it to its initial sovereignty. He will build the Temple and gather the dispersed of Israel. Then, in his days, the observance of all the commandments will return to their previous state…” He then cites the Torah’s source for the ingathering of the exiles, even “from the ends of the earth,” to the Land of Israel. This first source in the Chumash is a general statement encompassing the later elaborations of the prophets. But the idea of redemption through a specific Jewish leader — a human being — emerges from a different verse and a surprising scene in Torah.
Truths from the mouth of evil
Maimonides continues, explaining that reference to the Mashiach is also found in this week’s Torah portion (Balak), where the evil sorcererprophet Bilaam — hired to curse the Jewish people — ends up blessing them. Before returning home, he prophesies about two future kings of Israel: the first anointed king, David, who saved Israel from her oppressors; and the final anointed king, who will arise from David’s descendants and bring ultimate redemption. The passage in Bamidbar (Numbers 24:17–18) states: “I see it, but not now,” referring to David. “I perceive it, but not in the near future,” referring to the Messianic king. “A star shall go forth from Jacob,” referring to David; “and a staff shall arise in Israel,” referring to the final redeemer. Maimonides then goes on to illuminate verses in the Prophets and outlines the Mashiach’s job description — specific criteria to identify who meets the qualifications and who does not.
The shooting star
The third verse in Bilaam’s prophecy is perhaps the most iconic. Delving into its symbolism, the commentaries ask: Who is this “star” that will appear and shoot through the sky? There are three interrelated interpretations: One explanation in the Talmud is that the “star” refers to Yaakov’s descendants, the Jewish people, who are compared to stars. Earlier in the Torah, God takes Avraham outside and tells him, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars… so shall be your seed.” Based on this symbolism, the Talmud recounts a story in which someone comes to Rabbi Yishmael, the son of Rabbi Yossi, asking him to interpret a strange dream. “I swallowed a star,” he says. Rabbi Yishmael replies, “You killed a Jew!” — and the man confesses. The second interpretation is that the star represents King David, as Maimonides states. The third interpretation identifies the star as the Mashiach himself, descended from David. Interestingly, the Book of Chronicles explains that David’s grandmother was Ruth the convert. She was the daughter of Eglon, king of Moab — himself the grandson of Balak. This lineage reflects an inherent link between the darkest forces that once sought to thwart Jewish destiny and those who would ultimately enable its fulfillment. Jewish philosophical thought sees this as a sign that a perfected world requires more than protection or prosperity. True redemption involves transformation so deep that the enemy becomes the admirer — and even the ally.
Star symbolism
The symbolism of a star is that of light shining in darkness. And stars come in different forms. King David is the towering figure who began the transformation — fighting battles, securing the land, drawing up the Temple’s plans and setting the tone for the future. The final redeemer — whose wisdom and influence span the globe — completes that transformation. Just as the cosmic forces of good and evil shape the course of history, so too do they play out within each individual. Mystical teachings describe how every person contains a spark of Mashiach — that transcendent force within the soul that awakens at moments of deep purpose — enabling one to shine in a world of falsehood.
The miniature world
From the beginning of time, two opposing forces — good and evil — have vied for control. Good is revealed G‑dliness; evil (or negativity) is defined by concealment. When evil overpowers good, that is exile. When good subdues evil, that is the beginning of freedom. But the ultimate goal is not domination — it is transformation: when the very force that once concealed G‑dliness begins to reveal it. This same dynamic plays out in the miniature world of the self — in the internal battle between the godly soul and the body. This struggle lies at the heart of our human journey. The soul is a spark of divine light, hidden by the body, whose impulses can lead us astray. The foundation of spiritual life — and our mission on Earth — is for the body to submit to the will of the soul. This process begins by acting with intention — using the body as a vehicle for good. In this way, our actions are no longer random or self-serving but aligned with higher purpose. But that alone is not unity. True harmony is reached when the body itself desires to fulfill the soul’s mission — when it yearns to be a channel for holiness. At that point, even the most mundane acts — eating, exercising, earning a living — can be elevated to the level of sanctity — like prayer or study. Nothing remains ordinary or meaningless. These stages of refinement are reflected in two well-known teachings: “Do all your deeds for the sake of Heaven” (Pirkei Avot) and “In all your ways know Him” (Mishlei 3:6). The more the body aligns with the divine soul, the more one rises from serving with intention to discovering G‑d in every detail of life. In that light, to be a “star” on a personal level means to live as a beacon — illuminating one’s surroundings by transforming the physical into spiritual, converting darkness into light.
Rabbi Dan Lewin is director of the nonprofit Maayan Chai Foundation. For information, visit www.maayan-chai.org.
