Balaam Aims at Israel's Roots and Finds the Tribes Unbreakable

"For from the top of the rocks I see him" (Numbers 23:9). This is to make known to you the hatred of that wicked man, for from within his blessings you come to know his thoughts. To what is he comparable? To a man who came to chop down a tree. One who is not skilled chops off the branches, each and every branch, and grows weary; but the clever one uncovers the roots and chops. So too did that wicked man say: Why should I curse each and every tribe? Rather, I will go to their roots. He came to touch them and found them hard. Therefore it is said, "For from the top of the rocks."