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How can we understand the self-contradictory life of Bilaam Harasha? On
the one hand, he prevented the nations from a spiritual awakening and
from doing teshuvah in the wake of Matan Torah. But on the other hand,
he recognized the qualities of the Torah, as he stated, “How goodly are
your tents, O Yaakov.” Similarly, Bilaam praised the modest lifestyle of
the Jewish people, yet nevertheless sought to make them sin with the
women of Moav.
Bilaam, the greatest prophet of the nations, recognized the existence of
Hashem, but refused to believe in Him because of his unbridled pride. In
How could Bilaam, who recognized the truth and cried out Mah Tovu,
seek to curse and annihilate Am Yisrael? Bilaam willingly blinded himself contrast, Moshe Rabbeinu was the greatest prophet we ever had, in the
to the truth. Hashem pried his eyes open in order that he would be able merit of his humility.
to see the unvarnished truth. Only after Hashem forced him to see reality Hashem is faithful to reward those who fear Him, even wicked people. If
for what it was, did he bless our nation. But afterward, he returned to his Hashem paid Merodach Baladan so generously for his demonstration of
wayward ways. faith, how much more so will He reward His children, who fear Him and
cling to Him.
The Ben Ish Chai states that the word alludes to the one hundred
berachot a person is required to recite each day. These refer to the one
hundred sefirot, by means of which a person connects to his Creator. The
word refers to Torah, the only true good.
