פּירוש אויף במדבר 23:23

“There is no augury in Jacob” [23:23]. Balaam said: Israel are worthy to be blessed. They do not follow any magic and they learn everything without magic, since their God informs them of everything through the Urim ve-Tumim. The Holy One Himself is their Lord and protector in heaven. All the nations have angels in heaven who protect them when someone wants to do magic against them. Thus, one must begin with their angel. However, the Holy One Himself is the Lord of Israel, His people. Therefore, no magic helps; God knows everything that will happen. However, the angels do not know everything. Balaam saw Israel sitting before the Holy One, like a student sits before his teacher and studies with him, and the angels do not attain this. The angels ask Israel: what did God study with you?¹⁴Tanhuma, Balak, 14.

They said: “lo, a people” [23:24]. Balaam said: the Israelites wake up in the morning, don phylacteries and talit, read the Shema and praise God. At night when they lie down to sleep, he again recites the Shema. Thus, all the demons will fly away from them, so how can we do anything with magic? Balaam prophesied about himself about how he would be killed with the sword. Balak sought a place where he could have them cursed. He saw in the stars in heaven that Israel will do transgressions with Peor, and many will be killed. He led Balaam to the city of Peor to curse Israel.¹⁵Rashi, Numbers, 23:24. Balaam said: I hear the words of God and I see the brightness of God descending and he fell. When the Shekhinah appeared to him, he had to fall down. He could not stand because he did not keep the commandment of circumcision and he was not circumcised.¹⁶Rashi, Numbers, 24:4. He began to bless Israel. He said: how modest does Israel keep their tents. The door of one tent is not opposite the door of his friend’s tent, so that one could not see what he friend was doing in is tent and would not come to envy his friend or cast an evil eye.¹⁷B. Baba Bathra, 60a. He also said: what a beautiful Tabernacle do they have to bring their sacrifices. They have houses of study, to study Torah. They have pious kings and their kings are very strong. Rabbi Abba son of Kahana said: all of Balaam’s blessings were changed into curses, except for the blessings of the schools and study houses, which have remained to the present; Israel have schools and study houses to study Torah.¹⁸B. Sanhedrin, 105b. Balaam said: the one who blesses Israel is blessed; the one who curses you should be cursed. When Isaac blessed, he said: the one who curses you should be cursed. Afterwards, he said: the one who blesses you should be blessed. The righteous first have troubles in this world, but afterwards they have much good in the next world.

כי לא נחש ביעקב FOR THERE IS NO ENCHANTMENT IN JACOB — For they are worthy of blessing since there are no enchanters or diviners amongst them.