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The Text:
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Numbers 24:5-7 “How fair are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel!” The blessing was intended to be a curse by Balaam but it emerged instead as a blessing. It is the source for the prayer Mah Tovu, recited daily upon entering a synagogue.
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The Context:
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This Torah portion recalls the unusual story of the prophet Balaam and King Balak. The King sends Balaam to curse the Israelites three separate times. Each time Balaam tries to curse them, a blessing comes out of his mouth instead. The blessing was intended to be a curse by Balaam but it emerged instead as a blessing. This reversal of fortune confirms that God continues to watch over Israel.
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What it Means for Advocates:
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The daily ritual of Mah Tovu is a way of recognizing the blessing of each day and the beauty of community praying together. What are the ways of incorporating daily rituals to educate about hunger in your life or institution? How could use a tzedakah box or collection box for a local food bank for a daily minyan to become part of daily life? Is there a place either on a website or on an email signature that you can incorporate hunger facts and figures or websites that donate to hunger for hitting the sites? A metaphor that emerges from this portion is the concept of turning a curse into a blessing…interview people who were once hungry to learn how they survived and whether they believe they turned curses into opportunities.
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