Balak 23:23 · unit 1 — no divination in Yaakov

Parashas Balak · Aliyah 5 · Passuk 23 · TT unit 1

The Complete Passuk

כִּ֣י לֹא־נַ֔חַשׁ בְּיַעֲקֹ֖ב וְלֹא־קֶ֣סֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כָּעֵ֗ת יֵאָמֵ֤ר לְיַעֲקֹב֙ וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מַה־פָּ֖עַל אֵֽל׃

For there is no divination in Yaakov, and no sorcery in Israel; in due time it is said to Yaakov and to Israel what God has wrought.

Chabad.org — 23:23

Source Citation

Torah Temimah: Nedarim 32a — Rabi: whoever practices divination, divination comes upon him.

Sefaria — Nedarim 32a

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי: כָּל הַמְנַחֵשׁ לוֹ נַחַשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״כִּי לֹא נַחַשׁ בְּיַעֲקֹב״. וְהָא בְּלָמֶ״ד אָלֶ״ף כְּתִיב? אֶלָּא מִשּׁוּם מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה.

English: It was taught: Rabi said: Whoever practices divination — divination comes upon him, as it is said, “For there is no divination in Yaakov.” But it is written with lamed-alef [לא]? Rather, because of measure for measure.

Type of Learning

Measure-for-measure reading of the negation of divination.

What Is Learned

Israel’s freedom from sorcery is also a warning: one who adopts divination invites it upon himself.