Rabbi Yitzchak, a sage of old, had an interesting take on this. He taught that before the Mishkan – the Tabernacle – was built, prophecy wasn't confined to the Israelites. It was, shall we say, more… globally accessible. Imagine a world where divine inspiration could strike anyone, anywhere.

But then came the Mishkan. This portable sanctuary, meticulously crafted according to divine specifications, became the focal point. And, according to Rabbi Yitzchak, something shifted. "When the Tabernacle was erected," he said, "prophecy departed from their midst."

Think of it like a love story. Rabbi Yitzchak uses a verse from the Song of Songs (3:4) to illustrate: “[When I found the one whom my soul loves,] I grasped him and would not release him.” The Divine Presence, once diffused, now clung to the Mishkan, to Israel. It was a concentrated, focused connection.

Now, you might be thinking, "Wait a minute! What about Bilam?" Bilam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a pretty famous figure. He even gets a whole section dedicated to his story in the Torah! So, didn't he prophesy after the Tabernacle was built?

That's exactly what Rabbi Yitzchak's students asked him! And his answer is fascinating.

He conceded that yes, Bilam did prophesy. But, he argued, Bilam’s prophecies ultimately served Israel. : Bilam’s words, though sometimes intended as curses, were transformed into blessings. He declared, “Who has counted the dust of Jacob” (Numbers 23:10), marveling at the vastness and potential of the Israelite nation. He proclaimed, “One has seen no evil in Jacob” (Numbers 23:21), highlighting their inherent righteousness. “For there is no divination in Jacob” (Numbers 23:23), he stated, acknowledging their unique connection to the Divine. And who can forget, “How goodly are your tents, Jacob” (Numbers 24:5), an awestruck observation of their communal harmony. He even foresaw, “a star rises from Jacob” (Numbers 24:17) and “One from Jacob shall rule” (Numbers 24:19), hinting at future leadership and glory.

All these verses, found in the Book of Numbers, are testament to the fact that even the words of a non-Israelite prophet, uttered after the Tabernacle's construction, were ultimately channeled for the benefit and blessing of Israel.

This passage from Vayikra Rabbah, a Midrashic compilation – meaning a collection of rabbinic interpretations and teachings on the Book of Leviticus – presents a profound idea. It suggests that the establishment of the Tabernacle created a specific locus for divine communication. It wasn't that prophecy disappeared entirely from the world, but rather that it became particularly concentrated and directed towards the people chosen to carry the divine message.

It begs the question: where do we find our sacred spaces today? Where do we feel that concentrated connection to something larger than ourselves? Maybe it’s in a synagogue, a quiet corner of nature, or even within the pages of a sacred text. Perhaps, like Bilam's prophecies, the divine still speaks through unexpected sources, if we're open to hearing it.