The Foundation Beneath Everything/ Parashat Ballak

 B”SD

A Thought for the Shabbat Table

(The original was written in Hebrew. AI translation into English)

Bilam is one of the most fascinating figures in the Torah.

On the one hand, he possessed extraordinary abilities. Chazal teach that he was granted a level of prophetic insight unparalleled among the nations of the world. His words carried immense power, and even his enemies recognized his influence.

Yet despite his remarkable gifts, Bilam is remembered not as a model of greatness but as a symbol of moral corruption.

The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos draws a striking contrast between the disciples of Avraham Avinu and the disciples of Bilam:

"Whoever possesses three traits is among the disciples of Avraham Avinu, and whoever possesses three other traits is among the disciples of the wicked Bilam."

The Mishnah then identifies the defining characteristics of each group.

The students of Avraham possess:

• A good eye (ayin tovah)
• A humble spirit (ruach נמוכה)
• A modest soul (nefesh shefalah)

The students of Bilam possess:

• An evil eye (ayin ra’ah)
• An arrogant spirit (ruach gevohah)
• An insatiable soul (nefesh rechavah)

The Mishnah concludes by describing the vastly different destinies of these two groups. The disciples of Avraham inherit blessing in this world and the next, while the disciples of Bilam bring destruction upon themselves.

The Bartenura explains these traits beautifully.

A person with a good eye is content with what he has and does not envy the possessions of others.

A humble spirit reflects genuine humility rather than self-importance.

A modest soul is one that exercises restraint and does not allow desires to control its life.

The opposite qualities—envy, arrogance, and unchecked desire—formed the character of Bilam and those who follow his path.

The commentators raise an interesting question.

After listing the qualities of each group, why does the Mishnah ask, “What is the difference between the disciples of Avraham and the disciples of Bilam?” The difference seems obvious. Why ask the question after already providing the answer?

Perhaps the Mishnah is teaching something profound.

Character traits reside in the heart, and therefore they can be hidden.

Two people may dress identically. They may speak the same language, attend the same synagogue, and even perform the same mitzvos. From the outside they may appear nearly indistinguishable.

Yet one may be walking in the footsteps of Avraham Avinu, while the other is following the path of Bilam.

The external actions may look similar, but the inner world can be entirely different.

This insight helps explain why our sages placed such extraordinary emphasis on character development.

Rav Chaim Vital, in his classic work Shaarei Kedushah, writes that good and bad character traits are the very foundation upon which the soul rests. The mitzvos of the Torah are built upon this foundation.

For this reason, he explains, proper character traits are not counted among the 613 mitzvos. They are even more fundamental. They are the preparation that makes fulfillment of the mitzvos possible.

A weak foundation threatens an entire building.

Likewise, defective character traits threaten a person's entire spiritual life.

This is why Chazal speak so strongly about certain negative traits. They teach that uncontrolled anger resembles idolatry and that arrogance is akin to denying fundamental truths of faith.

These statements are not exaggerations. They emphasize that a person's inner character ultimately shapes every aspect of his service of Hashem.

When good character serves as the foundation, Torah learning flourishes, mitzvah observance deepens, and spiritual growth becomes natural.

But when envy, arrogance, or selfishness take root, no amount of external appearance can compensate for the weakness beneath the surface.

This lesson carries enormous importance for education.

Parents and teachers naturally invest great effort in helping children learn Torah and perform mitzvos. Yet alongside these goals must stand an equally important mission: cultivating good middos.

Children learn far more from what they observe than from what they are told.

When parents demonstrate patience, humility, self-control, gratitude, and respect for others, they provide a living example that shapes their children's character. Likewise, educators who pay close attention to how children interact with friends often gain valuable insight into the qualities that need encouragement and the tendencies that require correction.

Shlomo HaMelech expressed this truth succinctly:

"Even a child is recognized by his actions, whether his conduct is pure and upright." (Mishlei 20:11)

Character reveals itself early.

The small habits of childhood become the traits of adulthood.

Bilam teaches us that talent alone does not make a person great. Intelligence, eloquence, influence, and achievement are valuable gifts, but they cannot replace good character.

The true measure of a person is not merely what he knows or what he accomplishes, but who he becomes.

For when the foundation is strong, everything built upon it can endure.

Shabbat Shalom.