Coincidences or Divine Design?
Have you ever looked back on a near‑miss—missing a flight, taking a different road—and realized later it might have saved you? The Torah shows us that these “coincidences” aren’t coincidences at all.
The Plot of Balak and Bilaam
It’s so important to internalize that Hashem always knows what is best for us and is constantly arranging events for our benefit, even when we’re completely unaware. Parshat Balak offers one of the clearest examples of this idea, in the episode of Balak and Bilaam. While the Jewish people were simply going about their day, unaware of any threat, Balak and Bilaam schemed to unleash a curse upon the Jews.
And these curses weren’t empty words—Chazal teach that Bilaam possessed the ability to identify the exact split second when Hashem expresses anger each day and to unleash his curse at that moment.
A Miracle of Withheld Anger
But Hashem, in His infinite compassion, withheld His anger entirely during that period, specifically to protect Klal Yisrael. This was a silent miracle—one that happened far away, unnoticed, and completely hidden from those it was meant to save.
Hashem’s Hidden Love
Remarkably, Bilaam himself ended up praising this very relationship between Hashem and His people. “Hashem his God is with him, and the friendship of the King is in him” (Bamidbar 23:21, as explained by Rashi). A true friend is someone who steps in to help, often without being asked and without taking credit. Hashem is that loyal friend, always intervening behind the scenes, ensuring our safety without demanding recognition.
Bilaam further declared, “He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov.” According to the Shach (Al HaTorah), this points to another essential aspect of Hashem’s love: His focus is not on our failures, but on our virtues. While we may be aware of our shortcomings, Hashem lovingly sees our potential and goodness.
The Chassid Yaavetz writes that there is no other parashah in the entire Torah that reveals Hashem’s love for us as clearly as Parshas Balak. The prophet Michah even tells us to remember this story—to recall the attempted curses and how Hashem transformed them into blessings—as a reminder that Hashem is always saving us, even when we have no idea what danger we were in.
Cultivating Gratitude for the Unseen
In truth, there are so many moments in life when we are protected or rescued from harm without even realizing. Of course, it’s difficult to feel gratitude for what we don’t know, but we can cultivate an appreciation for the fact that Hashem is always watching over us, always doing what’s best for us— even when we can’t see the full picture.
David HaMelech (King David) expressed this mindset so beautifully in Tehillim (131:2), describing himself like a baby in his mother’s arms. A child doesn’t understand what’s happening, but he feels safe and secure in loving hands. So too, we often don’t understand how or why things happen, but we can trust that Hashem is guiding everything with love and care.
When Mashiach arrives, all of this will become clear. We’ll look back and see every salvation, every hidden kindness. Not only will we recognize it—but even the nations of the world will.
A Modern-Day Visual Reminder
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein once shared a powerful story that brings this idea into real life. He visited a great talmid chacham (Torah Scholar) and was surprised to see an entire wall in his study covered with newspaper clippings. Each article reported on some kind of salvation—terror attacks that were prevented, rockets that landed with no injuries. All of these were from just one month.
The rabbi explained that while he used to feel grateful when he heard of such miracles, those feelings would fade over time. He decided to make a permanent visual reminder—by collecting and displaying these articles on his wall—so he would never forget the ongoing kindnesses of Hashem.
This story reminds us that even today, we are surrounded by countless hidden salvations. We may not see the full story, but Hashem is always writing it—quietly, lovingly, and with our ultimate good in mind.
Parshat Balak: Hidden Miracles, By Rabbi Daniel Shasha, author of “Living Appreciation”
