Ma tovu ohalecha Yaakov, mishkenotecha yisrael
How good are the tents of Yaakov, your dwelling places Yisrael (24:15)
There must be an important message embedded in the story of Bilaam, which we are meant to be reminded of as we recite these words at the start of each day. We can better understand this lesson when seen in the context of the parsha. Before Bilaam recites this last blessing, the Torah tell us:
Vayisa Bilaam et einav vayar et yisrael shochen le’shvatav
And Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel dwelling according to its tribes (24:2)
Rashi explains that when Bilaam looked upon the dwelling places of the Jewish people, he saw that their tents were not facing one another, “so that they should not peer not each other’s tents.” Chazal explain that this was Bilaam’s unique and “prophetic” ability was in being able to detect when Hashem was angry with the Jewish people and were therefore susceptible to destruction when they had been sinful and were deserving of punishment by the will of Hashem. In witnessing this awesome sight, Bilaam quite literally saw the unique qualities of modesty and a respect for one another that the Jewish people possessed and then realized that these qualities would continue to provide Divine protection for the Jewish people.
But, how did Bilaam know that these qualities of modesty and respect would be everlasting? Perhaps the answer to this question is found in the words he remarks: How good are the tents of Yaakov, your dwelling places Yisrael. Bilaam did not simply see the Jewish people acting modestly and respectfully; he saw that their dwelling places were set-up according to this value system. So long as the foundation, the homes of the Jewish people reflected these values, the Jewish people would retain these values and live accordingly.
It is not surprising, then, that the next tactic the enemies of Israel employ is to seduce the Jewish people according to the advice of Bilaam. The Torah tells us: Vatikran le’am eloheihen - they (the Moabites) invited the Jews to sacrifice to their gods. The world used to describe their gods is written with the same letters as the Hebrew word that Bilaam uses to describe the tents (ohel) of the Jewish people. Perhaps the Torah is hinting to us that the Moabites did more than just invite the Jews to serve the Moabite gods – they invited the Jews into their homes - they removed the Jews from their stable foundation, from their homes in which they were surrounded by Torah ideals.
All too often it is easy to become distracted by the cultural “norms” in our surroundings that may blur our Torah derived definitions of right/wrong, good/bad, proper/improper. When we create a foundation for ourselves that embodies the value system we want to live by and reminds us who we are and who we want to be, it becomes easier to return to the path that we know is right and true.
This is the secret weapon, so to speak, that Bilaam discovers of the Jewish people, as he says: am levado yishkon - it is a nation that will dwell alone. The key to the survival of the Jewish people is not necessarily to isolate ourselves completely from our surroundings – but instead to be able to be part of the world and to make our mark on the world, but to realize that we must dwell on our own – we must uphold the values of the Jewish home that will enable us to be a thriving and surviving nation as foreseen by Bilaam in our parsha.
Rav Zeven explains that there is a difference between the two words that Bilaam uses to describe the Jewish buildings: The ohel is temporary, while the mishkan is a permanent structure. Perhaps this differentiation provides insight as to why we recite Bilaam's final words each morning – specifically as we enter the beit kenesset, the temporary replacement of the Beit Hamikdash, we are reminded of that although we do not have the Holy Temple to center us and ground us in the Jewish value system, we must create for ourselves structures in our lives that can provide this positive influence on us – in our homes and in our communities. To remind ourselves that the purpose of the ohel – the more temporary structures is to fulfill that same goal as the Miskhan – to be the constant force that reminds us of the values that are so central to our survival as a Jewish nation and so integral to our individual spiritual growth.
May we continue to be reminded each morning before we set out on our day that no matter where we go on our path, we must take with us the fundamental values of jewish modesty. And this is really highlighted in the haftorah we read this week in which Micah tells us: what is good, and what the Lord demands of you; but to do justice, to love loving-kindness, and to walk modestly with your God (6:8).It is not just about how we look, but how we take these values from our home and bring them into our daily lives and interactions with others. With this in mind, may we all continue to create and maintain structures, relationships, and environments that help us to sustain our Jewish ideals. May Hashem give us the will and the strength to overcome the challenge that every generation must face of dealing with surrounding pressures and rather than be brought astray from what we know to be true, may we be a positive influence on our surroundings—establishing, maintaining, and spreading the beauty of Torah truths and values that will continue define and refine the Jewish people for all generations. Shabbat Shalom, Taly
