Pensée juive sur Les Nombres 24:6

Afterward, He made models for specific purposes from the proper orders which were established in those places. And God said, there would be brooks which stretch out [alluding to Numbers 24:6] – these brooks were the Tigris, Euphrates, Pishon, Gichon, Amanah and Parpar Rivers, and those like them – that flow and move from place to place, from country to country, and from city to city. As they fulfill two types of purposes at once in their flowing: The first is that the water gives people, domesticated animals, wild animals, and birds water to drink and quenches the thirst of the creatures. The second is that they water the soil, as a result of which it produces vegetation and its fruits. And you find the same idea is present in the study hall, which is established as a place for the study of Torah and a place for the study of proper behavior [derkh eretz]. And the children study of this and that every day, they go from strength to strength [alluding to Psalms 84:8] during all the hours of the day. It comes out that this study hall is modeled on those [rivers] which give people to drink and water the soil, such that two purposes come out from them, one for man and one for the soil, such that the heavens and the earth kiss. So, too, are these study halls: They give water to drink for the soul, which relates to the heavens; and they water the body with proper behavior, which relates to the soil.

And also in the chapter [entitled] Chelek (Sanhedrin 105b) — Rabbi Elazar said: From the blessing of that wicked person [Balaam], you know what was in his heart. He sought to say that they should not have synagogues and study halls. [Instead,] he said, How goodly are your tents, Jacob (Numbers 24:5). He sought to say that the divine presence should not rest upon them. [Instead,] he said, and your dwellings [mishkenot] Israel. The kingdom of Israel would not continue; [he said,] Like the winding brooks (Numbers 24:6). They would have no olive trees and vineyards; [he said], like gardens by the river’s side. Their fragrance would not diffuse; [he said,] like aloes that the Lord has planted. They would not have kings of stature; [he said,] like cedar trees beside the waters. They will not have a king the son of a king; [he said], Water shall flow from his branches (Numbers 24:7). Their kingdom would not rule over the nations; [he said,] and his seed shall be in many waters. Their kingdom would not be fierce; [he said,] and his king shall be higher than Agag. There will be no fear of [their] kingdom; [he said,] and his kingdom shall be exalted. Rabbi Abba said: All of [the blessings] reverted to be a curse [such as he originally intended, except for the synagogues and study halls, as it is stated: And the Lord your God transformed the curse into a blessing for you (Deuteronomy 23:6) — "curse" [in the singular], not curses [in the plural]. To here [is the Talmud].