The most complex character in the whole Torah is Bilam. He was unique in that he was one of few gentile prophets; that within itself is a tremendous feat, yet at the same time he was the slimiest low life that walked the face of the earth. Bilam was a money-hungry, egotistical pervert who had relations with his donkey and was also involved with making prostitution more prominent. An all around guy,don’t you think ?
Balak, the king of Moav, sends a delegation to persuade Bilam to go and curse the Jews. Excited at the opportunity, Bilam however consults with G-d,who tells him not to go. Bilam, though, makes it seem to the delegation that he wasn’t going because it’s beneath his dignity to go with such representation. He wants a more important and prominent delegation to pry him out of his comfortable settings. Bilam didn’t let on that G-d disapproves of cursing the Jews. Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz says a carefull reading of the verse shows G-d gave two reasons disassociating himself with Balaks emissaries .The first, astonishingly, was indeed to protect Bilams dignity while only the second was not to curse the Jews.
But who is Bilam that G-d has to protect his dignity ? Why protect the dignity of a low-life ? Reb Chaim points out that even the most low and despicable individual is not to be humiliated more than is absolutely nessesary. The stature and importance of Man -created in G-d’s image-is so great that sensitivity has to be applied even to the wicked Bilam . G-d set aside his own honor in order to perserve the dignity of Bilam. The Sages say that Bilam’s donkey was killed so that people shouldn’t say this is the animal that humiliated Bilam. “I CAN’T MOVE BECAUSE THE ANGEL IS IN FRONT OF ME, HELLO !!! EVEN THIS ANIMAL CAN SEE, GET WITH THE PROGRAM, BOSS” the donkey opened his mouth and spoke out to Bilam. What a miracle…A talking donkey!! Doesn’t it remind you of the talking horse, Mr. Ed? WILBUR !! Hey, talking animals are hard to find. Even if the animal would have remained alive it would have brought a tremendous santification of G-d’s name. People would have pointed to the donkey and proclaimed G-d wonders and justice. It would have been living testimony of G-d’s creation and control of the world. However the dignity of man would have suffered severely and therefore the animal had to be put to death. The same principle applies for any person killed for having relations with animals. The Torah says the animal should be put to death as well. What did the poor animal do besides being a uncooperative participant? People would point out ” this animal and so and so…..”
Similarly, we find G-d protecting the dignity of Korach and his entourage, who were killed for their rebellion. Rav Chaim explains the reason why Eliezer and not Aharon was instructed to gather Korach’s pans was because Aharon had been Korach’s primary opponent. Korach was entirly wrong and provoked the entire fight. Yet the disgrace and shame of having your primary opponent gather the spoils was unwarranted.
The lesson we learn here is that there’s a certain demeanor and respect one has to not only show others but himself as well. Humans are precious. It might be a good Idea to google life in the sixties in New York where everyone was dressed in a suit and tie and would address individuals as Mr and Mrs or Sir and Madam. Sounds funny, however immigrants, who came from a different culture, found the cordial aproach to be a breath of fresh air and felt important. We must not forget we have to act as we look (not like John Hamm and Mad Men portraying life in the 1960’s). |
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