Rabbi Bernard Fox
“And Bilaam arose in the morning.
And he said to Balak’s ministers, “Go to your land for Hashem has
refused to allow me to go with you.”
(BeMidbar 22:13)
Hashem appears to Bilaam in a vision. He tells Bilaam that he should not respond
to Balak’s summons. Bilaam cannot curse
Bnai Yisrael. The nation is blessed.
Hashem’s meaning was very clear. Bilaam could not affect destiny. He could merely foretell the future. This ability was the foundation of Bilaam’s
illusions. Hashem told Bilaam he could
not succeed in this case. Bnai Yisrael
was blessed. Bilaam would have no
opportunity to curse the nation.
Bilaam told the messengers that he could not return
with them to Balak. He did not explain
the reason. He did not indicate that he
could not help Balak or that Bnai Yisrael could not be cursed. Why did Bilaam conceal this information?
Rashi explains Bilaam’s motivations. He comments that Bilaam told the ministers
that he could not proceed with them.
This implied that Balak should send a more worthy delegation. This delegation would earn Bilaam’s
cooperation. Clearly, Bilaam was
attempting to conceal his limitations.[1]
The effect of Bilaam’s response is predictable. Balak understood Bilaam’s message. He sent a new delegation. This group was composed of ministers of
higher rank. These ministers arrived at
Bilaam’s home. They assured Bilaam he
would be amply rewarded for his services.
They assured him of Balak’s complete cooperation.
Of course, Bilaam’s situation remained
unchanged. He knew that only the
Almighty shaped destiny. Bilaam could
not truly curse or bless anyone. He was
forced to reveal this limitation.[2] He told the messengers they must wait with
him. He must receive guidance from
Hashem.
Bilaam’s behavior seems bizarre. He knew that ultimately he must follow
Hashem’s command. Hashem had told him
that Bnai Yisrael was blessed. Bilaam
would not be able to satisfy Balak’s request.
Why did he mislead Balak?
Don Isaac Abarvanel explains that Bilaam was
involved in an immense internal conflict.
He enjoyed the attention he was receiving from Balak – the king of
Moav. Balak’s entreaties appealed to
Bilaam’s vanity. He did not want this
attention to end. He needed to provide
Balak with encouragement. This required
Bilaam to create the impression that he had volition. However, Bilaam had no freedom.
He could not act without Hashem.
This eventually was revealed.
Bilaam’s situation was further complicated by his
very claim. He presented himself as the
true prophet of the Almighty. This
implied that he was subject to the Almighty’s authority. This created an absolute contradiction. Bilaam implied freedom and subjugation
simultaneously.
Bilaam could not resolve this conflict. This is reflected in his actions. He attempted to continue his charade. But in the end was forced, by his own claims,
to admit his limitations.
The most revealing aspect of this entire incident is
Bilaam’s immediate reaction to the second delegation. Essentially, the delegation asked Bilaam to name his price. This angered Bilaam. He responded that all of Balak’s wealth
could not force a prophet to violate Hashem’s command. Why did Bilaam react so sharply? Bilaam had implied that the proper
delegation could enlist his support.
Balak rightfully understood this to imply that Bilaam had the ability to
make a decision. He challenged Bilaam
to exercise his freewill. This angered
Bilaam. Balak had implied that Bilaam
was not a true prophet. Bilaam
immediately responded that he must obey Hashem. He was forced to confess his limitations.[3]