Tefilah Today
Exploring the Meaning of Jewish Prayer Through Torah & Midrash with Mrs. Baila Yaniv


5 - The Curse Turned Blessing That Became Our Mission Statement”
Episode Description
Every morning, Jewish prayer begins with Mah Tovu — a verse spoken not by Moshe, not by David, but by Bilaam, a non-Jewish prophet hired to harm us. And yet, his words open our daily connection with Hashem.
In this episode of Tefillah Today, we uncover:
Why the Great Assembly placed Mah Tovu at the beginning of tefillah.
What Bilaam actually saw that changed everything.
How his words affirm our national mission — to live as Hashem’s emissaries on Earth.
Why our identity as Torah Jews is a reflection not just inward, but to the entire world.
We explore how this ancient moment holds profound relevance in our modern lives — elevating your morning, reframing your mission, and reminding you that your voice carries Hashem’s Name.
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