Page 511 - BAMIDBAR

Bilaam was not surprised in the least when his donkey began speaking to
him. How could he maintain his equanimity at such an occurrence?
Moshe Rabbeinu, l’havdil, conducted a conversation with the sea when
it refused to split. Moshe was not surprised by the sea speaking; he
was used to miracles. Bilaam, on the other hand, was not accustomed
to animals speaking with him. How, then, was he not shocked when
this occurred?
Only a person who lives with the constant awareness that there is a Creator
can be enthusiastic over miracles, regardless of their frequency. But one
who does not believe does not have the necessary tools to take note of
even a miracle as great as a talking donkey.
There are many who quickly forget what they learned even though they
had been very involved in it. This is because although they seemed to be
engrossed in their study, they harbored a tiny portion of Bilaam’s apathy.
It is the mission of every ben Torah to eradicate any form of indifference
from his heart.
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Bilaam, the prophet of the nations, was hired by Balak to curse Am
Yisrael. How could such a great person imagine cursing the children
of Hashem?
According to the Ben Ish Chai (quoting the Zohar), the name means
(without a nation). Bilaam lived for himself, never considering the
public at large. Therefore, he was capable of ignoring the fact that Bnei
Yisrael were Hashem’s Chosen People.
The Torah was given to Am Yisrael only after they demonstrated unity.
Unity is the tool which allows people to observe the mitzvot between man
and his fellow man. Even the nations of the world understood that Bnei
Yisrael received the Torah in the merit of their unity.
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