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everything. Once he is aware of this, he decides again and again the case, why didn’t he ultimately succeed in cursing the nation of Peace Be upon You, Angels of Will
not to tempt fate—but every time he falls anew. And why? Because Israel? After all, he possessed a very powerful intent. The answer
dealing with this is beyond his capacity! 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
modified by Hashem’s individual providence. If someone deserves wishes to go, he is led” more literally reads as, “In the way that
And this is especially true of our generation, which has reached 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
the pinnacle of the craving for money, the desire to gamble, in of evil will succeed. But when someone does not deserve to be great commentators on the Gemara, who lived about 400 years
which a person’s craving for money causes him to entirely abandon harmed, then individual providence takes effect to guard and shield ago), asks: Who is it that leads him? It is Hashem. As the verse
his intelligence until he literally gambles away his life. How many him. Therefore, when we see that one person has succeeded in states, “From Hashem are the steps of a man established” (Psalms
times have we heard that people have lost their homes and gone harming someone else, that is only because, in accordance with 37:23). However, the Gemara should then have stated, “He leads
into debt for millions because of their craving for gambling? How 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
many times have we heard of people who were divorced, fell into be harmed. plural? The Maharsha explains that a person’s every intent creates
debt in the grey market, abandoned Judaism, and whose entire an angel. Thus, every person, in accordance with all of his intents,
lives were destroyed because of gambling, and many of whom even And at times there are other heavenly calculations regarding why creates many angels. It is these that guide him and lead him—either
leaped from a roof and committed suicide because of gambling? All 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
of these people see this and know it, but when the craving grows 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
strong, they forget everything and are overwhelmed. of Israel impeded his will. As our sages say, “Love overrides rules” plural.
(Sanhedrin 105b, Bereishit Rabbah 55). That is to say, Hashem’s love
Save Me from Myself results in His guiding the world in a way that is not in accordance In accordance with this wonderful explanation of the Maharsha,
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
All evil traits stem from a person’s craving for honor, from 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
egotism, from his sense of “I” and his foolish pride, which destroy we are commanded to recall that episode every day: “My nation, forth and act. The more you strengthen your intentions, the more
a person’s life even in the physical realm. I know people who were recall what Balak, king of Moab, planned, and what Balaam, son angels you create. If you have strong intentions, you will have an
told that anger is destroying their health, but that did not remove of Beor answered him. From Shittim to Gilgal, may you recognize entire army of heavenly angels working to serve you, actualizing all
even one gram of their anger. Anger causes high blood pressure and Hashem’s righteousness deeds” (Micah 6:5). Why is this such a of your good intentions.
diabetes, and all kinds of Gehennom rule over an angry person. In great kindness on the part of Hashem? It is because, in keeping
addition, such people know that their anger alienates their children with Hashem’s regular guidance of the world, Balaam would have This army of angels is no simple matter.
from the upright path and destroys their children’s character—but succeeded, heaven forbid, due to the power of his great and strong
when the craving for anger burns in them, it erases all of their 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
intelligence and everything that they know and understand. It is love for His children, He changed that universal law, circumventing Divine inspiration all of the plans of the king of Aram, and divulged
stronger than they are. 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
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 family in which a few brothers contracted a terrible that he wants to go. Implementing our will is the way to act and lookout post and wiretaps, without satellites and spies. King Aram
illness. They went to tzaddikim, who told them that this was due truly bring about change. decided to put an end to this. The Bible tells:
to their arguments and battles over an inheritance. But knowing
this did not help them, because they were unable to overcome Why did the Torah reveal this important principle through that [The king of Aram] sent horses and chariots there
their craving for money and the concern for their honor, which led evil and impure person, the wicked Balaam? The Torah wanted to [where Elisha was], and a great army. They came at
them to internecine hatred, gossip, slander and dispute. They were teach us the absolute power of the will. Balaam acted consciously night and surrounded the city.
incapable of compromise. Although they knew that their situation and impudently against Hashem’s will, which had been explicitly
was so grave that they were in great danger, and they knew that communicated to him. Secondly, he acted in opposition to clear The servant of the man of God awoke early and went