After their conquests over Sichon and Og
in last week’s Parshah, the next set of enemies standing in front of Bnei
Yisrael were Moav and Midian. Balak, the king of Moav, decided to employ the
sorcerer, Bilaam, to curse Bnei Yisrael. Bilaam was unique in history as the
only non-Jewish “Navi”. Even though he was not on the level necessary to
receive prophecy, Hashem still gave Bilaam that ability since if the Goyim had
never had a Navi, they could have possibly claimed that had they had one, they
would have followed the Torah as well as the Bnei Yisrael. This way, that claim
was made redundant. However, Bilaam’s title still belongs in quotations as
there were some key differences between his prophecy and everyone else’s.
After Bilaam arrives in Moav to curse
the Jews, Balak gives him everything he needs to accomplish his mission. Bilaam
then goes to daven to Hashem that he should know the best way to curse the
Jews. Hashem’s response shows us the difference between Bilaam and all other
prophets. “וַיִּקָּר אֱלֹהִים אֶל בִּלְעָם וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אֶת שִׁבְעַת הַמִּזְבְּחֹת
עָרַכְתִּי וָאַעַל פָּר וָאַיִל בַּמִּזְבֵּחַ” “God chanced upon Bilaam, and he (Bilaam) said to Him, "I have set
up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on [each] altar.” (Bamidbar
23:4). The Meforshim have different ways to explain this word “וַיִּקָּר”.
Rashi explains that it shows that Hashem really did not want to talk to Bilaam
since he was not on the proper level to be a Navi. Furthermore, this was the
first time Hashem ever spoke to Bilaam during the day! Normally, He would only
speak to him at night when no one could see. However, at this moment, out of
love for Bnei Yisrael, Hashem came to Bilaam during the day and Bnei Yisrael
ended up being blessed because of it (the result of His love for them).
The Ramban gives us a different
perspective of how Hashem changed his way of talking to Bilaam. The word “וַיִּקָּר”
denotes a happenstance occurrence. Normally, Bilaam received his messages from
Hashem at certain times and in certain situations. This time however, Hashem
“happened” to come to him, at a time where he was not prepared; similar to a
real Navi who had to be ready to receive a message from Hashem at any time
during the day. When Bilaam saw that he was receiving a prophecy, he was
shocked and completely overwhelmed by it and immediately defended himself by
stating that he had built the alters and brought sacrifices and therefore,
deserved to have his prayers answered.
The Daas Zekeinim asks an interesting
question on this story. How come whenever Hashem called Moshe, Moshe had to
come to Him but numerous times in our parshah, Hashem calls out to Bilaam and
then meets Bilaam wherever he is at the time! Doesn’t Moshe deserve the same
respect? He answers using a parable. If the king has a servant with whom he
desires to speak, however, this servant is very ill, there is no way the
king would let him into the palace to speak with him! The king would much
rather meet him outside than let him in the palace and spread his illness
around. However, a different advisor who is completely healthy will be welcomed
in with open arms to the king’s throne room. Is the second servant offended
that he had to come to the king instead of the king coming to him like the first
servant? Absolutely not! Coming into the palace is a privilege that not
everyone receives. The connection to our story is obvious. Bilaam is the sick
servant who while Hashem desires to speak to him, He doesn’t want him dirtying
up the palace by coming in. Hashem would rather go out and meet him by his
place. Moshe however, is privileged enough to be welcomes into the king’s
palace with open arms and able to have his audience in the Mishkan itself. Do
not think that Bilaam was more privileged than any of our Neviim. He was
simply a necessity while the Prophets were fully deserving of their lofty
status.
Shabbat Shalom!
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