Bilaam began by going up on a mountain so that he could look down and see how isolated and alone we were. We weren’t surrounded or protected by other nations and allies. We weren’t looking over our shoulders to see what others were thinking. He intended to curse our nation for our singular and stubborn allegiance to Hashem.
But instead of a curse, Bilaam gave us a blessing. He said “Hein am Lebadad Yishkon” – This nation is one of a kind. They do not get discouraged and they are not bound by “what is usually done”. Every one of them has something unique to offer and they are willing to make their unique contribution to the world.
What did we do to deserve those kind words?
We know that had a well in the merit of Miriam and the Purim Story in the merit of Ester. We had clouds of glory in honor of Aharon and it was in Moshe’s merit that the earth opened up and swallowed Korach and his people. But I could not find one word explaining why we deserved to have donkey open her mouth or why deserved to have Bilaam change his curse into a blessing.
Indeed, in the haftorah, Micha tells us “remember what Balak wanted to do to you and what Bilaam ended up doing – so that you will know the righteousness of Hashem”.
Hashem did this “just because”. He helped us and helped everyone see the good in us because He is who He is, we are who we are. That’s it.
A thought for the three weeks: When Yosef revealed himself to his brothers, he asked all of the Egyptians to leave. He did this to save his brothers from embarrassment. The problem is that as the story progresses it seems like everyone knew immediately exactly what had transpired in the room. At best he saved a moment of embarrassment, and this at the expense of risking his life. The last time the brothers saw Yoesef they had tried to kill him.
I once heard that the power of twelve people who were so diametrically opposed to getting together was so awesome that Yosef did not want anybody else there. They were literally inviting G-d in and making a Holy of Holies right there where they were standing. Just like in the Holy of Holies, nobody was allowed in.
The Holy of Holies was destroyed because we couldn’t get along. Hashem’s presence comes through Shalom and coming together in peace. We can literally bring the Shechina here to our conversations and homes and shul just by staying focused on peace. That is our way of building the Beis Hamikdash and bringing only good things upon us. May we be zoche to see only the good in each other, and may we hear only good things said about us.
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