Balak and Fake News

Rabbi Twerski makes an interesting observation about Parshat Balak. The Parsha begins with, וירא בלק, that Balak saw what Israel did to the Emori. Moshe had slain their king and annexed their territory.

He did not see that the Emori provoked Israel into war. Moshe Rabbeinu asked to peacefully pass through their land, and offered to cover any expenses incurred as they passed. They ignored these gestures and attacked Israel.

Balak did not see that Emori had started the war and wished to destroy Israel.

He twisted his report and made it out as if Israel was the aggressor and the poor Emori, were the victims of this aggression.

“Fake news” already began during the time of the Torah, where Israel always gets blamed when it is only defending itself. If we are victorious, it is used against us.

Balak’s biased reporting worked to the extent that Midyan, an enemy of Balak’s Moav, joined forces in order to stop Israel.

Rabbi Twerski ended his observation by pointing out that nothing has changed, and the only One Israel can rely on, is Hashem. And that’s all we need.