The scene opens with Balak, the king of Moab, terrified by the Israelites. He’s hired Bilam, a non-Jewish prophet known for the power of his blessings and curses, to, well, curse Israel. As Numbers 22:41 tells us, "Balak took Bilam," and brought him to a strategic spot. The text then mentions they arrived at "Kiryat Ḥutzot" (Numbers 22:39).
But what's the deal with Kiryat Ḥutzot? The Midrash explains that Balak deliberately set up markets there, a sort of grand display of commerce and a massive animal market. Why? To impress Bilam! He wanted to paint a picture of a thriving, populous nation, and manipulate Bilam’s emotions. "Look," Balak was implying, "these are the people Israel intends to destroy—innocent people, even babies!" A real emotional play, right?
Then comes the feast. "Balak slaughtered cattle and sheep, and he sent to Bilam and to the princes that were with him" (Numbers 22:40). Sounds generous, doesn’t it? But here's where the Midrash gets really interesting, drawing a contrast between the righteous and the wicked.
The Midrash points out that the righteous, like our patriarch Abraham, often do more than they say. Remember when the three angels visited Abraham? He initially offered them just "a piece of bread" (Genesis 18:5). But what did he actually do? He told Sarah to rush and prepare a feast of fine flour cakes, and he himself hurried to slaughter a calf (Genesis 18:6-7). He undersold and over-delivered!
The wicked, on the other hand… well, they're all talk and no action. Balak said, "I will honor you greatly" (Numbers 22:17). But according to the Midrash, based on a close reading of Numbers 22:40, when Bilam actually arrived, Balak sent him a mere single young bull and a single sheep. Talk about a letdown!
The Midrash vividly describes Bilam's reaction. He began gnashing his teeth, furious at the paltry offering. He was, after all, known for his greedy soul. "This is what he sent to me?" Bilam fumes, according to the Midrash. "Tomorrow I will issue a curse on his property!" And that's why, the very next chapter starts with Bilam demanding, "Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams" (Numbers 23:1). He was trying to make up for what he felt he was shorted, you see?
So, what’s the takeaway here? This passage from Bamidbar Rabbah isn't just a historical anecdote. It’s a lesson in discerning true character. It reminds us to look beyond the surface, beyond the grand gestures and empty promises, and to judge people by their actions. Are they like Abraham, who gives generously from the heart? Or are they like Balak, who uses the appearance of generosity to mask his own self-interest and manipulation? It’s a question worth pondering, isn’t it?