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Balak "How good are your tents, Ya'akov, your dwelling places, Yisroel." With these inspired words of Bila'am, the man who came to curse the Jewish people praised them. They form the opening words of our daily service and are said as we enter into every House of Prayer and Torah study. "Your tents" refers to external perceptions, while "your dwelling places" refers to personal self-perception. Explains the Baal Shem Tov. Concerning your dealing with others you must strive to achieve the status of Ya'akov, from the word - heel - the greatest level of humility. Concerning your personal self-perception in relationship with Hashem, we must strive to be Yisroel - an officer before Hashem. What is the difference between true prophets and false ones? Generally, the true prophet came to the Jewish people and rebuked them concerning the areas where they were lacking in their service of Hashem and others. The false prophets came to create a false sense of security. They assured the Jewish people that all was okay and they had nothing to rectify. It was not out of love of the Jewish people that Bila'am praised them. Rather he wished to lull the Jewish people into this false sense of security - that every thing was okay and they need do no more in the service of Hashem. His hope was that the people would lose the feeling that they still need to grow and develop ever more commitment and higher standards of observance. During the youth of R' Zusha of Annipolia, when he was still sitting in the Beth HaMedrash of his teacher, the saintly Maggid of Mezritch, a gentleman walked in and enquired if and how it would be possible to meet with the Maggid. R' Zusha, realised that this individual was not what he claimed to be, and in fact had seriously transgressed and not bothered to do any Teshuvah. R' Zusha turned to the fellow and said "A man like you who has transgressed these sins and does not seriously think about Teshuvah, wishes to appear before the great Maggid?" The visitor, greatly shamed, turned on his heel and left. R' Zushe, realising the insult he had caused, was distraught. Said to him the Maggid "How good are your tents, Ya'akov," and blessed R' Zushe that he should only see the good in people and never the bad. A Chassid of R' Yehoshua of Belz once approached and requested a Brochah that he die as a Jew. The Rebbe answered. "The desire to die as a Jew all want. Even Bila'am said, "Let me die the death of the righteous." "The main thing is to live as a Jew." Similarly, a man once came to the Chofetz Chaim and asked for a blessing that his children grow up to be pious Jews. "That," replied the Chofetz Chaim, "requires much more than a blessing. It requires much effort and dedication on your part.!!!" |
