Musar sobre Números 6:24

It is written, “Hashem will bless you and protect you” (Bamidbar 6:24). The Sages comment (Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah 11:5): “‘Hashem will bless you’ — with wealth; ‘and protect you’ — from harmful destructive spirits.” This Midrash requires explanation. It seems to me that it can be understood in light of a passage in Chullin (105b): Some porters were carrying a barrel of wine. Wishing to stop for a rest, they placed the barrel under a drainpipe, whereupon the barrel was broken [by a destructive spirit dwelling there]. The porters came before Mar bar Rav Ashi, who took out a shofar and proclaimed a ban (cherem) on that destructive spirit, compelling the spirit to appear before him. Mar bar Rav Ashi asked him, “Why did you do it?” The spirit replied, “What was I supposed to do when they placed the barrel upon my ears?” Mar bar Rav Ashi said, “What were you doing in a place that is frequented by people? You are the one who deviated from the norm. Go and pay.” The spirit answered, “Specify a date and I will pay them.” So Mar bar Rav Ashi specified a date. When the date arrived the spirit procrastinated and failed to show up on time. When he finally appeared Mar bar Rav Ashi inquired, “Why did you not come on time?” He answered, “We are not permitted to take any object that is bound and sealed or measured or counted. Therefore I was delayed until I found something that was neither bound nor counted nor measured.”