Parshat Balak
16 Tammuz 5761
July 7, 2001
Daf Yomi: Kiddushin 61


Guest Rabbi:
Rabbi Binyamin Hammer
Young Israel of New Hyde Park, NY;
Director of Rabbinic Services, National Council of Young Israel

The saga of Bilaam and his cruelty to manipulate and curse Klal Yisrael is well known to us and our youngest of children. Bilaam stands without equal, the only individual in the Torah to be described as wicked, referring to him as Bilaam HaRasha. Furthermore, the Talmud in Masechet Sanhedrin 105a portrays Bilaam as possessing the most immoral and disgusting behavior, lowering himself to the level of sinning with animals.

Yet, for every valid reason not to allow Bilaam to accompany Balak to curse the Jewish people, HaShem's primary motivation is, (Bamidbar 22:12) "lo telech imahem," you shall not go with them. Rashi commenting on the pasuk, (Bamidbar 22:13) informs us, that HaShem was protecting Bilaam's dignity from traveling with these lowly emissaries. The Ohr HaChaim takes this thought one step further; HaShem was questioning, how Bilaam, a messenger of G-d, could even meet with such unworthy people. The Ohr HaChaim adds, HaShem was so bothered with preserving the dignity of Bilaam, that he killed the chamor - donkey, who stood up to Bilaam, so that people would not say, "This is the donkey that brought down Bilaam." Why is HaShem so concerned with Bilaam's dignity? Wouldn't keeping the donkey alive create a greater Kiddush HaShem - sanctification of G-d's name, showing that HaShem has dominion over all his creatures and can even have a donkey speak?

Rabbi Chaim Shmulevitz z"l, the Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, offers a profound insight into Kavod HaAdam, the dignity of the human being. Although disgracing Bilaam would have created a Kiddush HaShem, in G-d's estimation preserving the majesty of man takes preference to His own honor.

This donkey which HaShem created in the last moments of Creation was not needed to protect Klal Yisrael from Bilaam's wickedness. Their salvation was relying in HaShem. Rather, G-d created this donkey for Bilaam's self-protection, to have him reexamine his own evil intentions. So important is the dignity of every human being, that HaShem defends even the least deserving.

Our life's goal is to walk in the path of HaShem, trying to reach lofty heights. If we perceive life as walking an obstacle course with difficult challenges along the way, we miss the message that HaShem is sending us. The steps to growth are paved with G-d's love for us and deep respect for our dignity. We must continue to walk on that dignified road and help save those who have fallen by the wayside, despite how much they have declined. If HaShem could look out for a Bilaam HaRasha, we can be certain, that He is looking out for us as well.

Shabbat Shalom.