Parshas Balak 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
מי מנה עפר יעקב ומספר את רבע ישראל תמת נפשי מות ישרים ותהי אחריתי כמהו ... (כג-י)
Bilaam was tasked with cursing Klal Yisroel but instead, he heaped praise and blessing on them. Rashi explains: “There is no calculation of the mitzvos which they can fulfill with dust, [for example] not to plow with an ox and donkey together, not to plant with mixed seeds, etc.” The reason Bilaam highlighted these mitzvos is because when the Meraglim returned from their expedition, they said "אפס כי אז העם היושב בארץ" - “But the people that dwell in the land.” The Gemara (Shabbos 85a) explains that when the Torah describes the people of Se’ir as "יושבי הארץ", it means that they understood agriculture very well thereby making them successful farmers. Using this idea, the Shem M’Shmuel reveals the Meraglim’s message. Indeed, they said, the land has beautiful fruit, but this is only because "יושבי הארץ", professional agronomists live there and cultivate the land.
R’ Shlomo Gantzfried zt”l, in his Sefer Apiryon furthers this idea to our parsha. Balak claimed that Klal Yisroel are "עם יוצא ממצרים", uneducated and simple-minded. In his opinion they did not possess the expertise to successfully build and establish Eretz Yisroel as a prosperous land. Bilaam retorted, “Do you think their success is grounded in their handiwork and skill? Their success lies solely in the mitzvos they do! Their Parnassa comes because of the Avodas Hashem involved!” Bilaam proved his point by stressing the amount of mitzvos involved while working the fields, the primary source of income at that time.
A story is told of a chasid who did a wonderful favor for the holy Chozeh of Lublin zt”l. In a show of gratitude, the Chozeh offered the man a blessing with a choice: Either to sit next to him eternally in Gan Eden, or to acquire immense wealth in this world. The man chose the latter and the Chozeh happily blessed him. The Chassidim there wondered why the Rebbe had agreed to the man’s seemingly short-sighted decision. He explained, “This man is righteous and I know he will use his money to support those in need. In this way he will rightfully earn his place next to me in the World to Come!”