With hordes of Israelites at the borders of his territory, Balak, the King of Moab, hires the prophet Balaam to curse them, to engage in psychological warfare.

Pinchas of Koretz, an early Chasidic teacher and younger contemporary of the Ba'al Shem Tov, asked the question: why didn't Balak ask Balaam to bless his people, rather than curse the Israelites? Why does he want the prophet to run the foreigners down, rather than encouraging the locals? The Koretzer's answer is that Balaam had previously cursed Balak's people (according to the Midrash) and so the king just wanted to even things out).

My own view is different, with the Brexit vote still fresh in mind. Granted that there may have been good economic or political reasons for leaving the EU, granted that many Leave campaigners and voters are honourable, thoughtful and concerned people, the fact is that anti-immigrant and anti-foreigner sentiment was allowed to bubble to the surface in the effort to win.

To me it feels as if Balak is an example of an attitude we are seeing too much of right now. It's fine to be proud of your own people, to talk up their strengths and achievements and to imagine their glorious future. But Balak wants Balaam to go further, to run down his opponents, curse and stigmatise those who are different.

As I write, the country is seeing unprecedented numbers of racist

incidents aimed at perceived foreigners (many born here). I have lived here for 44 years, but only became a citizen a few months ago. I have never seen anything like this in Britain.

As Jews with a recent immigrant past, we owe it to ourselves, to other minorities, to Britain, and to God, to stand up against a xenophobia that demeans and curses us all.