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Thought for the Day: Bilaam is the Answer to Why They Didn't Get the Torah

Bilaam was no simple person. He had a level of prophecy that in some way exceeded even that of Moshe Rabeinu. (The Torah tells us that there was never a Jewish prophet whose level rivaled Moshe, but a goy -- that is, Bilaam -- had that level of prophecy.) Chazal tell us (Rashi on Bamidbar 22:5) that HaShem infused Bilaam with such an exalted level of prophecy in order to ensure that the goyim could never, ever complain that if they had had prophets like Klal Yisrael did, they would have also been good.

Umm.... really? If the goyim would even think to complain that they were not afforded the same opportunities for inspiration that Klal Yisrael had, that they didn't have a Moshe Rabeinu, then HaShem can reply, "Well, you had Bilaam."  That is going to work? Moshe, the most humble of all men. Moshe, who wouldn't even use a donkey that belonged to the community to bring his own family back. Bilaam, who was (ahem) "married" to his donkey. Bilaam, who demanded an exalted entourage as well as an exorbitant fee for his services. That Bilaam is the answer to the goyim and will quell their complaints that they didn't have a Moshe Rabeinu?

Yes.

Imagine a large, multinational, very successful company with an amazing CEO. He has two executive vice presidents. They each have complete access to the CEO's time and resources whenever they want. 

One of them -- we'll call him Bob -- has a big ego; and that's his best quality. He is, after all, executive vice president of this amazing multinational and is very close to the CEO. Not only is he arrogant, but he is willing and able to "do favors" for people. For a fee, he can get you just about anything. He can also, for a fee, block someone that you don't care for from getting that promotion -- even though he deserves it. Bob gets called on his antics sometimes by the CEO, but Bob is also blessed with a glib tongue and quick wit; he always seems to come out on ever better terms with the CEO.

The other vice president -- we'll call him Moshe (you can see where this is going -- is the nicest guy ever. He is also open and almost painfully honest, his integrity is beyond question. Moshe is a very successful manager, but he doesn't put up with shtick. You do your work and pull your weight, you'll be fairly compensated.

Bob is clearly in this for himself. He is likely using his position and power. He has his eye on becoming the CEO of his own multinational. In the meantime, he'll take whatever he can take and learn whatever he can learn to build himself up.

Moshe is completely different. Moshe is the CEO's son. His father's success is his success. He wants to be a part of what his father is building. His father is such an amazing CEO that Moshe is just thrilled to be associated with him and be a part of what he is building. Moshe is extremely proud of his father and so thankful that he is his son.

Bilaam was not a low person who was granted prophecy. Bilaam became a low person because he was given that gift. Every move he made was to leverage his gift to become richer, more powerful, more independent.

But still, why is Bilaam an answer to the nations? Can't they say someone else would have done better? Not at all. Not in the least. They all had both Bilaam and Moshe in front of them. They could have gone to Moshe and to Klal Yisrael any time to become closer to HaShem. Instead they went to Bilaam. They hired Bilaam to give blessings and curses. Ultimately, they tried to use Bilaam's perceived influence with HaShem to bring down Klal Yisrael.

When HaShem offered the Torah to the nations, they all responded that they understood that they could use it for their advantage, so no thank you. Only Klal Yisrael responded that they were all in on anything that would bring them closer to HaShem.
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