Life, Miracles, and the Art of Unclogging Drains

A short thought on Parashas Balak

Of the millions of pieces of content on social media, there exists a specific genre of videos that inexplicably grants me a unique sense of satisfaction - drain unclogging videos. Watching the water swirl, vigorously pulling all the debris along its path, and then gushing down the drain with a satisfying swoosh invokes a soothing tranquility that is difficult to describe in words.

At times, I find myself wishing that certain elements of life could replicate this uncanny sensation. To me, a clogged drain symbolizes the gradual build-up of tension or anxiety, which slowly creeps in and suddenly overwhelms you. The act of unclogging, on the other hand, can be equated to resolving an issue or witnessing a transformation from 'before' to 'after'. The visual gratification, as the tension subsides and the water flows smoothly once more, is a small miracle in itself.

The story of Bilaam, who was commissioned by Balak to curse the Jews is a perfect illustration of this metaphor. Bilaam's objecti…