After seeing how easily the Bnei Yisrael
defeated the powerful armies of Sichon and Og, Balak, the king of Moav, hired
Bilaam, the magician and prophet, to use his powers to curse the nation. In
this way, Balak hoped to weaken the Jewish people before their inevitable conflict.
The pesukim detail how he sent messengers to recruit Bilaam who initially
refused to come since Hashem had not allowed him. Balak doubles down by
promising Bilaam even more wealth and honors if he’ll come. Bilaam, filled with
a desire to go, waits to see if Hashem will change His mind. Hashem gives him a
puzzling response.
“וַיָּבֹ֨א אֱלֹהִ֥ים | אֶל־בִּלְעָם֘ לַ֒יְלָה֒
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ אִם־לִקְרֹ֤א לְךָ֙ בָּ֣אוּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים ק֖וּם לֵ֣ךְ אִתָּ֑ם וְאַ֗ךְ
אֶת־הַדָּבָ֛ר אֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ אֹת֥וֹ תַֽעֲשֶֽׂה” “And Hashem came to Bilaam at night and said to him, ‘If these men have
come to call for you, arise and go with them, but the word I speak to you- that
you should do” (Bamidbar 22:20). The Ohr HaChaim points out several perplexing
items in this pasuk. First, why is Hashem seemingly in doubt as to the purpose
of these visitors? Of course He knows why they’re there! Secondly, why would
Hashem ever allow Bilaam to go and even attempt to curse the Jewish People?
Lastly, why did Hashem change His mind from earlier when He told Bilaam not to
go? What changed in the meantime?
He explains that Hashem wanted to make
sure there would be no doubts as to the fact that Bilaam would, and why he
would, fail. If He would have let Bilaam go right away, people would have
thought that Bilaam had control over his actions, that the reason he failed was
because he decided not to curse the Jews; as opposed to the reality that Hashem
didn’t let him. If He wouldn’t have let Bilaam go at all, people would have
thought that Hashem couldn’t control Bilaam and wanted to make sure he didn’t get
a chance to curse the Jews. Therefore, He solved both these issues by at first
refusing, and then consenting to Bilaam’s going.
The Ohr HaChaim gives a second, fascinating
answer. Hashem gives all of His creations the opportunity to collect their reward;
it’s up to the creations to take it. We are told later on (31:8) that Bilaam
was killed in the battle with Midian. Chazal teach us that the reason Bilaam
was there at all was to collect his reward for his services. (While Bilaam
failed to curse the Jews, he did entice them to sin with the daughters of
Midian; see Perek 25.) This entire episode would eventually lead to his death.
Therefore, Hashem tells him not to go! He gives Bilaam the opportunity to save
his own life; but Bilaam doesn’t see this, he’s too blinded by his hatred for
Bnei Yisrael. And while Hashem wants only what is best for each and every human
being, He also allows man to go in the path he chooses for himself, even if it
leads to sin. (See Makkos 10b which explains how this famous principle is derived
from this story.)
So when Bilaam returns to ask Hashem a
second time, Hashem allows him to go. Not because He changed His mind, but
because He’s fulfilled His obligation to do good, and will now allow the
free-will of man to take hold. When Hashem seems confused as to why these men
are visiting Bilaam, He is actually asking Bilaam if he is interested in what
these men are offering. He’s telling Bilaam, ‘Don’t you understand? This evil
act will eventually lead to your downfall!” But once He sees that’s what Bilaam
wants, He lets him go, thereby allowing that most amazing of opportunities, the
free-will of human beings.
Shabbat Shalom!
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