There is an old joke. One day the police drive up to the home of a man of faith. “A great flood is coming,” they say, “Come, we have a truck to evacuate you and your neighbours.” “No,” says the man, “God will save me.” As the waters rise, the man is forced up to the second floor of his home. As he looks out the window at the water, a boat comes by. “Come; climb out the window. We will take you to safety.” “No,” says the man, “God will save me.” Eventually the man is forced to take refuge on the roof of his house. A helicopter appears, and over a bullhorn the man hears, “We’re dropping a rope. Hold on and we will pull you up.” “No,” the man shouts back, “God will save me.” Finally the water rises too high. The man is swept away to his death. When he comes before God, he looks on incredulously. “God,” he pleads, “I was faithful all my life. I did good things. Why? Why didn’t you save me?” God answers simply, “My son, I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter.”
In parashat Balak, Balak sends the prophet Bilaam to curse the Israelites. On his way to perform the curse upon the tribes of Israel, an angel stands on the path blocking the way with a sword. Although Bilaam cannot see the angel, his donkey sees all too clearly what will happen. First she turns off the road into a field, but Bilaam hits her to turn her back to the path. When the donkey sees the angel a second time, she thrusts herself against a wall, crushing Bilaam’s foot in the process. Again Bilaam strikes her. A third time the donkey sees the angel, and this time, having nowhere else to turn, she lays down upon the path, refusing to move on. A third time Bilaam hits her with his staff. At this the donkey turns her head to Bilaam, and speaks, “What have I done that you have hit me three times?... Am I not your donkey upon whom you have ridden all your life? Have I ever done this before?” Finally Bilaam’s eyes open, and he is able to behold the angel waiting to smite him.
As Jews, a common expression is “ain somchim al hanes;” “don’t depend upon the miracle. But miracles come in many forms. Some may be as simple as a truck coming to pick you up or a seemingly stubborn donkey. All around us miracles occur every day. How many times has each one of us proclaimed, “Thank God” after a slip on the stairs or other near miss. Even difficulties sometimes turn out to be blessings in disguise. Bilaam’s donkey reminds us. Pay attention even if this seems like every other day. Recognize the miracles that surround us.
