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Balak MARTIAL ARTS
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
July 14, 2024, Israel
Map of Moab, Ammon and neighboring kingdoms
Each week we read a portion, a segment of the Torah/the five books of Moses (Moshe). This coming week we will read the portion titled "Balak". I believe that this portion, along with Yithro/Jethro are the only portions named for non-Hebrews.
The Torah/Bible is a book of lessons, a moral guide along with practical life lessons. Some are easy to understand, others less so. What may appear to some as out of date or irrelevant, is simply misunderstood. Let us see what we can learn from the story of Balak.
Balak was the king of Moab at this time, we are talking about the time period of 1250 - 1200 B.C.E. (before the common era, i.e. the dating method most commonly used today in the Western world, although historically there were many other ways to date events.) The context is the people of Israel have left Egypt and are now in the process of entering the promised land, then known as Cana'an, and since then known as the Land of Israel (today the State of Israel). Israel is defeating nations that stand in their way along their path to the Promised Land.
And now we begin our Biblical narrative...
And the Children of Israel of Israel traveled on and encamped at the plains of Moab in Transjordan, facing Jericho. (see map above)
Balak, the son of Sipor, (was a mighty warrior king), perceived all that Israel had done to the Amorites; (having defeated both the Amorites and the kingdom of Ammon previously and having established quite a reputation), and Moab was seized with terror of the people, thinking them to be numerous. Moab was thus aroused because of the presence of the Children of Israel. Moab had said to the leaders of Midian: 'this horde (Israel) will lick up all that is around us as the ox licks up the grass of the field'. So Balak the son of Sipor was the king of Moab at that time. And he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to the city of Pethor, which is situated on the Euphrates River, Balak's native land, inviting him with the following message: 'Masses of people have come out of Egypt, and they are so numerous that they cover the face of the earth, and they are stationed opposite me. Therefore, come now, and curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me to engage in war. Perhaps I will prevail. We, (the Moabites and the Midianites), will defeat them and drive them out of the land (of ours), for I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed."(The book of Number, Chapter 22, verse 1 - 6)
Let us give this some thought. Balak was the leader, or king, some interpretations say that he used this threat to rise to power. In any event, he was wise, as you shall see. Most of us only respond to a threat when it is imminent, and even then, most do nothing. Thus, we are trained to become victims and then complain about it. But not King Balak, no! The threat of the invading horde (the war-like and fierce Children of Israel) was not an imminent threat. The word in Hebrew is Wa Yarh which means, "and he saw", but it can also mean, "and he observed". It is interpreted as "he analyzed, he was involved in introspection" (Rabbi Shabtai Bass, published Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1680)
Thus, Balak was not waiting until the attack took place, nor did he only take action when the threat was imminent, but rather he analyzed political events and understood that a threat may come in the future, and the time to prevent it is now. He thought, two kingdoms that were very self-assured, Emor and Ammon, both feel to this new force, we in Moab certainly have reason to fear. Prepare now and be ready.
This is sound advice for any Krav Maga practitioner.
His people, the nation of Moab, became alarmed as they perceived the nation of Israel to be larger than they actually were. (as they had created this impression). The word, Wa Yakas means "and they awoke", that is a very good thing to do in the face of danger, wake up before it is too late. Wake up before you are woken up. When he says...they will lick up all that is around us...again, this is not a direct imminent threat, but the potential for a pre-attack. A good king should be aware of these preliminary warnings.
Balak studied this potential enemy carefully. He asked, what is it that causes them to be so formidable? and the answer was - in their spirituality. He understood that their victories were "unnatural", and thus he too decided to employ unnatural means, thus, he sought the help of a sorcerer, the well-known Bilaam. He was trying to fight fire with fire, words with words, spirit with spirit.
We need to assess threats early, before they become a crisis. We need to be aware. We need to understand all our potential enemies. In the first UFC the Gracie's won, and Brazilian Jujitsu was seen as the best martial art. But it was not, and it is not. It was simply unknown, and the other fighters were not prepared. Once the other fighters studied it, their reign of terror was over and BJJ was no longer a superpower.
Pay attention, observe your environment, see potential threats, understand your enemies. The lessons of King Balak son of Sipor are very relevant to us today. There is a reason why the Bible is still the best-selling book of all time.
Moshe Katz, 7th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
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