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the case, why didn’t he ultimately succeed in cursing the nation of Peace Be upon You, Angels of Will must be awe-struck at how all of creation, from its very
Israel? After all, he possessed a very powerful intent. The answer inception, was imbued with this law. Thus, all [vegetation]
is that when this principle comes at the expense of others, it is The statement from the Gemara that “in the way that a person existed right under the surface but did not blossom and
modified by Hashem’s individual providence. If someone deserves wishes to go, he is led” more literally reads as, “In the way that nothing was given, whether material or spiritual, until
to be harmed, the wicked perpetrator who wants to go in the way a person wants to go, they lead him.” The Maharsha (one of the man came and brought it out of the ground. And how
of evil will succeed. But when someone does not deserve to be great commentators on the Gemara, who lived about 400 years did he bring it out? With prayer.
harmed, then individual providence takes effect to guard and shield ago), asks: Who is it that leads him? It is Hashem. As the verse
him. Therefore, when we see that one person has succeeded in states, “From Hashem are the steps of a man established” (Psalms That is to say, it is possible to receive true abundance only by
harming someone else, that is only because, in accordance with 37:23). However, the Gemara should then have stated, “He leads means of prayer. “True abundance” means abundance that brings
Hashem’s law and judgment, it was legitimate for that person to him”—in the singular. Why does it say, “They lead him”—in the a person close to Hashem, because he knows clearly that Hashem
be harmed. plural? The Maharsha explains that a person’s every intent creates gave him the abundance, and he thanks Hashem for that. When
an angel. Thus, every person, in accordance with all of his intents, a person receives without prayer, that is not true abundance, but
And at times there are other heavenly calculations regarding why creates many angels. It is these that guide him and lead him—either
a person in certain circumstances will not succeed in actualizing his on the good path or, heaven forbid, on the bad path, if he desires abundance that will harm him, that will fill him with pride so that
will. In Balaam’s case, Hashem’s will to help and guard the nation evil. Therefore, the Gemara states that “they lead him,” in the he thinks that he in and of himself is a success who attained this
of Israel impeded his will. As our sages say, “Love overrides rules” plural. abundance, and that will distance him from Hashem.
(Sanhedrin 105b, Bereishit Rabbah 55). That is to say, Hashem’s love The entire purpose of creation is that we recognize the Creator
results in His guiding the world in a way that is not in accordance In accordance with this wonderful explanation of the Maharsha, and know that everything comes from Him. And we know and
with the rules of His justice. In Balaam’s time, Hashem’s especial we may understand the source of the mighty powers of a person’s recognize the Creator as a result of receiving everything by
love for the nation of Israel was revealed in such a unique way that will. Your intentions create angels, which give you the power to go engaging in prayer. Therefore, “The essence of bonding and
we are commanded to recall that episode every day: “My nation, forth and act. The more you strengthen your intentions, the more clinging to Hashem, may He be blessed, comes about by means
recall what Balak, king of Moab, planned, and what Balaam, son angels you create. If you have strong intentions, you will have an of prayer. That is because prayer is the gate through which we
of Beor answered him. From Shittim to Gilgal, may you recognize entire army of heavenly angels working to serve you, actualizing all come to Hashem, may He be blessed. And from there we know
Hashem’s righteousness deeds” (Micah 6:5). Why is this such a of your good intentions. Him” (Likutei Moharan II 84). Hashem yearns for the prayer of every
great kindness on the part of Hashem? It is because, in keeping individual and desires the prayer of every individual, because that is
with Hashem’s regular guidance of the world, Balaam would have This army of angels is no simple matter. the purpose of all creation. Therefore, the Creator established a law
succeeded, heaven forbid, due to the power of his great and strong that he will certainly accept whoever prays. If so, whoever wants to
will—since that is a universal law. But in Hashem’s compassion and The book of Kings (Kings II 6) tells that the prophet Elisha knew by receive something must engage in much prayer.
love for His children, He changed that universal law, circumventing Divine inspiration all of the plans of the king of Aram, and divulged
it for our sake. From all of this, we learn one of the principles of them to the king of Israel. This was the most perfect intelligence When we pray at length, we will certainly attain. Know that
how the Creator guides the world: that a person is led in the way service in history. Only one person knew everything, without a there is a spiritual principle that all states that all abundance that
that he wants to go. Implementing our will is the way to act and lookout post and wiretaps, without satellites and spies. King Aram descends from above must come through vessels. These vessels
truly bring about change. decided to put an end to this. The Bible tells: are the words of prayer. As Rabbi Nachman says: “How can we
bring down abundance? With prayer. Because the words are vessels
Why did the Torah reveal this important principle through that [The king of Aram] sent horses and chariots there that receive the abundance” (Likutei Moharan I 102). Thus, Hashem
evil and impure person, the wicked Balaam? The Torah wanted to [where Elisha was], and a great army. They came at always wants to generously give abundance. And so He wants
teach us the absolute power of the will. Balaam acted consciously night and surrounded the city. us to bring vessels to receive that abundance, since abundance
and impudently against Hashem’s will, which had been explicitly that comes without vessels harms the recipient. In consequence,
communicated to him. Secondly, he acted in opposition to clear The servant of the man of God awoke early and went Hashem wants us to pray and engage in much prayer in order to