Episode
Balaam's Talking Donkey in 10 Minutes
- Published
- Sep 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 433
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Summary
Join us on this episode of Everything Jewish, 10 Minutes at a Time, as we explore one of the most unusual and entertaining stories in the Torah: Balaam's talking donkey. Hired by the king of Moab to curse the Jewish people, the pagan prophet Balaam sets out on his journey, only to be stopped by his own donkey, who suddenly speaks and argues with him after seeing an angel blocking the path. In just ten minutes, we unpack the humor, the irony, and the deep lessons hidden in this bizarre episode — why God made an animal speak, what it reveals about Balaam's character, and the powerful message about spiritual blindness, animal welfare, and how even a prophet can fail to see what a donkey can clearly perceive. Get ready for one of the strangest and most insightful stories in Jewish tradition.