Most people probably remember this story based on the name of the character who talked to YHVH more than the King for whom the parsha [“Balak” (Numbers 22:2-25:9)] is named.

More memorable, still, is “Balaam’s Talking Ass” – who isn’t actually named in story at all – but has registered as one of the most colorful, even humourous, vignettes in Scripture.

The Erev Shabbat reading:

https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SSM-7-19-24-Balak-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3The Sabbath Day midrash:
“Balak: Was Bilaam (aka ‘Balaam’) the Bill Clinton of his day?”

https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/WT-CooH-7-20-24-Balak-Balak-Bilaam-the-ancient-Bill-Klinton-podcast-xxxx.mp3The combined two-part teaching is here: