On Tuesday evening, July 23, Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, Founder of The Shmuz, shared an enlightening virtual shiur, hosted by Chazaq and TorahAnytime.
He shared how Bil’am was a wicked person who had the gift of prophecy. Balak asked him to curse the Jews. He wanted to do more than just curse the Jews. Bil’am wanted to curse them so they would be annihilated. Why did Hashem gift a wicked non-Jew with prophecy? (Prophecy in Judaism is reserved for individuals on a very high spiritual and moral level.) Rashi answers that He did this so that the non-Jews can’t say that they never had a prophet. We see how wicked he was, because he was a wealthy person, yet he saddled his own donkey because he was so anxious to go out and curse the Jews.
A mal’ach [angel] of mercy appeared in order to prevent him from sinning. Three times the angel tried to stop him. Why did Hashem care to bring him to t’shuvah? Why did Hashem make such a miracle as opening the donkey’s mouth and letting it speak?
There is no measure that applies to Hashem. We cannot apply human attributes to G-d. G-d doesn’t get angry or jealous. In the Chumash, when it says that G-d is angry, it means He acted as if He was angry.
It is beyond human capacity to relate to Hashem’s wisdom. Many times, we have questions on Hashem. Why did this happen? We need to understand that Hashem knows what is best for us and He knows this better than we do. Hashem knows our thoughts. When we conclude the Sh’moneh Esrei, we ask Hashem to find favor with our words and thoughts.
Hashem created us because He wanted to give. He doesn’t need anything. He wants our benefit and what is good for us.
Hashem has infinite patience. We need to understand in our relationship with Hashem that He only wants what is good for us and He created us in order to give to us.
If Hashem had mercy on someone like Bil’am and wanted him to do t’shuvah, then how much more so does Hashem want us, His beloved nation, to do t’shuvah and grow.
We need to understand the greatness of a human being. We can accomplish so much.
He shared that Hashem loves us more than we love ourselves; and as much as we want good, Hashem wants it more for us.
He shared that when we live a life of purpose there is joy. He concluded that Bil’am ignored or missed all the signs Hashem was sending him. We have to be aware and notice Hashem’s messages to us.
This shiur can be viewed on TorahAnytime.com.
By Susie Garber
