ספר במדבר

With G-d's Blessing Balak I do not remember the order

(Bamidbar 22:5) “Behold the Nation that has left Mitzrayim, behold they have covered the ‘eye’ of the land.” This refers to the perception focused on physicality. Bnei Yisrael enlightened the world to see the internal, spiritual essence in everything, nullifying the external view that, through a physical lens, seems to oppose holiness. In truth, this opposition is merely a cover, a trick to obscure the real truth. Bnei Yisrael's holiness and revelation of Hashem nullified this deceptive power, which angered Balak and Bilaam. [See what we have written later, וירא.]

(Bamidbar 24:7) “Water shall flow from their branches-מדליו.” Our sages explain (Nedarim 81a) “Be wary of the children of the poor, for it is from them where Torah comes forth.” This refers to true subjugation to Hashem, likened to a bucket-דלי, which draws water from a well. As our sages explain, it can descend to a low place, symbolizing humility. The lower the bucket goes, the more water it can draw. Similarly, the vessel to draw the living waters of Torah is through nullification to the source. By nullifying one's desires to Hashem's will, one connects better to the source and draws forth Torah. This is akin to השקה, where impure water becomes pure by connecting to pure water.

The Chidushei Harim explained the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:18): Bilaam said to Hashem, wouldn't it be better to be served by all 70 nations rather than just Bnei Yisrael? Hashem replied that the simple, dry menachot offerings from Bnei Yisrael are more precious than the many offerings of the nations. This is because the nations seek to cause friction between Bnei Yisrael and Hashem. Even though all nations give their strength to Hashem and are ultimately nullified to Him, their offerings are not genuinely wanted. As our sages explain (Baba Basra 10b), whatever good the nations do is for their own gains.This is evident in Bilaam's words of subjugation: "If Balak were to give me a house full of silver and gold, I cannot transgress the words of Hashem." His humility was a facade for his haughtiness. The negative forces humble themselves to gain through trickery. In contrast, Bnei Yisrael seek elevation to be closer to Hashem and truly submit to Him. The ultimate desire of Bnei Yisrael is real submission and true humility, wanting to remain spiritually low and connected to Hashem.

Regarding the verse (Micah 6:5), “My nation, remember what Balak…and Bilaam plotted against you,” the Gemara (Berachot 12b) states that our sages wanted to include the parsha of Bilaam in the Shema prayer. This is because a person must always strengthen their service to Hashem and believe that even though negative forces oppose holiness, they are ultimately nullified to Hashem’s will. This is only true when one follows the path of truth.Bilaam was forced to bless Bnei Yisrael against his will, similar to how the evil angel is compelled to say Amen. This principle applies at all times to Bnei Yisrael, who face wicked plans against them. It is in this context that we pray, “swiftly thwart their counsel.”

(Bamidbar 22:2-3) "And Balak saw…and Moav became very afraid for they (Bnei Yisrael) were very numerous." The verse states (Tehillim 31:2) “How numerous is Your goodness.” The Zohar (3:88a) explains this refers to the hidden light, the source of all goodness, reserved for the righteous in the world to come. Hashem hid the light of Torah in creation, as it says (Bereishis 1:31) “And Elokim saw all that He had created and it was very good,” which our sages interpret as referring to both the angel of death and the evil inclination.Our mission is to find this hidden light, revealing the truth and subjugating everything to Hashem. Bnei Yisrael in the wilderness generation illuminated this hidden light wherever they traveled. When Balak saw this, he was forced to witness the clear revelation of Hashem's dominion. For someone as wicked as Balak, this was like a "covering of the eye," as he said (Bamidbar 22:5) “Bnei Yisrael are covering the eye of the land,” indicating that the wicked cannot face the truth.Moav was very afraid, referring to the ultimate goodness of Hashem, because Bnei Yisrael were about to reveal and clarify everything as it should be, signifying the ultimate revelation of Hashem. Before entering Eretz Yisrael, Bnei Yisrael's preparation involved connecting deeply to this hidden light. This is linked to the concept of Eretz Yisrael being the central point of the world, as explained in the Zohar Vayera (1:108b).