Page 470 - BAMIDBAR

#
#26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-EYAL | 15 - B | 18-08-19 | 13:48:26 | SR:-- | Yellow 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-EYAL | 15 - B | 18-08-19 | 13:48:26 | SR:-- | Magenta 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-EYAL | 15 - B | 18-08-19 | 13:48:26 | SR:-- | Cyan 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-EYAL | 15 - B | 18-08-19 | 13:48:26 | SR:-- | Black

How could Bilaam, the prophet of the nations, entertain the thought of
cursing the Jewish people, when he knew that the entire world rested upon
their merit?
Moshe Rabbeinu constantly sought ways to cleave to the Shechinah and
speak with Hashem. Conversely, Bilaam always sought ways to flee the
Shechinah. He was interested only in knowing the moment of Hashem’s
wrath, in order to exploit it for his devilish designs.
Moshe Rabbeinu was endowed with the quality of gratitude. He displayed
gratitude even to inanimate objects, such as the water and the earth.
Therefore, he always tried to come closer to Hashem. This middah of
gratitude is the basis for clinging to Hashem. When a person accustoms
himself to thank others for their kindnesses toward him, he becomes
attuned to the multitude acts of kindness which Hashem does for him all
the time. He will naturally come to thank Him for it all.

Deficiency in the quality of gratitude obscured Bilaam’s vision, to the
degree that he acted contrary to his nation’s best interests. He sought to
curse Bnei Yisrael, upon whom the entire world stands. He was so full of
himself that he had no room to admit to the truth.

Why was Bilaam blamed for failing to display gratitude? He was so full
of negative character traits; was it a surprise that he lacked this attribute?
Even negative character traits can be channeled in positive streams,
bringing a person to life-giving waters. David is a prime example of just