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heard about Yetziat Mitzrayim and all of the accompanying miracles. But
when he saw how Bnei Yisrael lived, according to their tribes and
Bilaam blessed the nation in his words Mah Tovu. If he acknowledged the
families, he was most impressed. He blessed them from the bottom of his
uniqueness of Am Yisrael, why did he revert to his old ways, instead of heart. Therefore, this blessing is unique.
cleaving to them?

The word (how) is numerically equivalent to Hashem’s Name
with its letters spelled out. It is also equal to the gematria of the word
(man). The Torah, Hashem, and Yisrael are one. How could Bilaam
remain indifferent after discovering this amazing truth?

“You ( ) are called Man and the nations of the world are not.” The
name Man is granted to Bnei Yisrael, who constantly consider the words “How goodly are your tents, O Yaakov, your
of Torah and act accordingly. But the gentiles are genteel only when dwelling places, O Israel”
it’s convenient.
(Bamidbar 24:5)
How can we understand the self-contradictory life of Bilaam Harasha? On The letters of the word, as cited above, can be transposed to spell
the one hand, he prevented the nations from a spiritual awakening and the word (truth), one of the Divine Names. There is no truth other
from doing teshuvah in the wake of Matan Torah. But on the other hand, than Torah. Only one who exerts himself in Torah study earns the quality
he recognized the qualities of the Torah, as he stated, “How goodly are of truth. Bilaam recognized the truth in Torah, but chose to live as he
your tents, O Yaakov.” Similarly, Bilaam praised the modest lifestyle of wanted. Therefore, he is called a rasha.
the Jewish people, yet nevertheless sought to make them sin with the The Torah is more precious than gold and pearls. These items fluctuate
women of Moav.
in value according to the market, whereas Torah is stable forever, due
Bilaam, the greatest prophet of the nations, recognized the existence of to its pure truth. Bilaam did not change his ways. Yet his berachah
Hashem, but refused to believe in Him because of his unbridled pride. In exists for all generations, for the kedushah of the Torah will never
contrast, Moshe Rabbeinu was the greatest prophet we ever had, in the be compromised.
merit of his humility.
Hashem is faithful to reward those who fear Him, even wicked people. If
Hashem paid Merodach Baladan so generously for his demonstration of
faith, how much more so will He reward His children, who fear Him and
cling to Him.