Like we can somehow pull the divine wool over God's eyes. Today, we’re diving into a fascinating passage from Bamidbar Rabbah 20 that explores this very idea, highlighting three figures who, according to the text, tried to do just that – and didn't exactly succeed.
The passage begins with the story of Balak and Bilam. Remember, Balak, the king of Moab, was terrified of the Israelites and hired the sorcerer Bilam to curse them. When Balak’s emissaries arrive, God asks Bilam, "Who are these men with you?" (Numbers 22:9).
Now, according to Rabbi Abba bar Kahana, this seemingly simple question reveals something profound. He says that Bilam, along with two other figures, were examined by God and found to be like a "jug of urine" – a vessel that is only worthy of contemptible use. Ouch.
Who are the other two? Cain and Hezekiah.
Let's start with Cain. When God asks him, "Where is your brother Abel?" (Genesis 4:9), Cain responds with the infamous, "I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?" Instead, the text suggests, he should have acknowledged God's omniscience, saying something like, "Master of the universe, the concealed and the revealed are revealed before You, and You are asking me regarding my brother?" As we find in Genesis 4:10–11, God isn’t fooled and holds Cain accountable.
Next, we have Hezekiah, king of Judah. After recovering from an illness, he receives a gift from Merodakh Baladan, the king of Babylon (Isaiah 39:1). Isaiah asks him about the envoys: "What did those men say, and from where did they come to you?" (Isaiah 39:3). Again, the text argues that Hezekiah should have recognized Isaiah's prophetic abilities and responded accordingly. Instead, Hezekiah boasts about the Babylonians' visit (Isaiah 39:3), leading to Isaiah's prophecy of future Babylonian exile (Isaiah 39:6-7).
And finally, back to Bilam. When God asks him about his visitors, Bilam simply states, "Balak son of Tzipor, king of Moab, sent to me" (Numbers 22:10). The text suggests he should have said, "Master of the universe, everything is revealed before You and nothing is obscured from You, and You are asking me?"
So, what’s the deal here? Why is this considered such a failing on their part?
The text is highlighting a lack of humility and an attempt to obscure the truth from someone who inherently knows everything. It's about recognizing God's all-knowing nature and responding with honesty and humility.
Furthermore, in Bilam's case, God's response is particularly pointed. Because Bilam didn't acknowledge God's omniscience, God tells him, "do not curse the people" (Numbers 22:12). According to the text, God is essentially saying, ‘Since that is how you speak…’. The passage continues, saying, ‘Wicked one of the world, it is written in Israel’s regard: “For one who touches you, touches the pupil of his eye” (Zechariah 2:12), and you go to accost them and curse them? Let his eye be removed, as it is stated: “One with an open eye” (Numbers 24:3), to realize: “For one who touches you, touches the pupil of his eye.”’ The phrase "pupil of His eye" is expounded to mean the apple of the eye of the Holy One blessed be He, something very dear to Him.
So, what can we learn from these three examples? Perhaps it's a reminder to approach the divine with humility and honesty. To acknowledge that we are not fooling anyone and that true wisdom lies in recognizing the limits of our own knowledge. Maybe it's about recognizing that trying to be clever with God is ultimately a futile and self-defeating endeavor. Perhaps, it's an invitation to be more authentic in our relationship with the Divine, and with ourselves. What do you think?