Balak the appointed Ruler of Moav perceived a threat from the advancing Bene Yisrael. After all, Sichon and Og who received tribute from their neighbors in exchange for providing protection to the surrounding kingdoms. Sichon and Og fell before Bene Yisrael, consequently Moav and Balak were scared.(see BaMidbar 22:2-4 and Rashi ZT’L ZY’A ad. loc.)



Balak through consultation with high ranking Midianite nobles that conventional warfare against Bene Yisrael would be at best futile.… Continue

Rabbi Nachman taught Chutzpah is effective even when directed towards Heaven for at first G-D told Bilam not to go with Balak’s first group of emissaries(BaMidbar 22:12) yet when Bilam asked again he was told (22:20) that he may indeed go. (Talmud Sanhedrin 105a)



Understanding Rabbi Nachman’s teaching is difficult as it appears contrary to what one might expect. The precise translation of chutzpah is so elusive that instead of a translation the term itself has become part of the… Continue