A Greedy Mindset

“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to transgress the word of Hashem my Lord” (22 18).

Bilam’s desire was extensive in that he coveted the wealth of others, expounds Rashi on the beginning of the pasuk. The mere mention of huge sums of money  revealed Bilam's flawed character trait, specifically, his unending yearning for luxuries. In Pirkei Avot (Chapter 6 Mishnah 9) a similar story is told by Rebbe Yossi ben Kisma who recounted a discussion he shared with a gentleman he once encountered on a roadway. After exchanging pleasantries, the man inquired of the rabbi's hometown. "I answered, 'From a major city of Torah scholars and scribes.' The man asked me further, 'Are you interested in moving to our city?' and then proceeded to offer hundreds of thousands of dinars (gold coins) and precious stones and gems in exchange for my willingness should I decide to accept his request. I said back, 'My son, if you give me all the silver, gold, precious stones, and gems in the world, still, I will not live in a place that is not a Torah city!” The Mishnah notes this exchange as a praise to Rebbe Yossi ben Kisma explained that the sage cared so deeply about Torah that the only wealth he desired was to reside in a city rich with Torah.

In our situation, the Sages were critical of Bilam once the topic of money was brought up. Bilam was considered to be money hungry, yet Rebbe Yossi ben Kisma was hailed for essentially using a very similar language. Where is the discrepancy?

The Rav Baruch Epstein zt"l wonderfully explains this in Torah Temimah. In Rebbe Yossi ben Kisma's case, the man that solicited the Torah sage originally proposed for the scholar to reside in his city in exchange for a hefty sum. There, Rebbe Yossi was compelled to reply commensurate with the proposition, meaning even with all the wealth, only a city of Torah was within reach. Therefore, there was no issue mentioning monetary matters. Rather, its mention drew quite the opposite result as it was found to be very meritorious to be so committed to Torah and mitzvot unable to be swayed from from the right and just path by any figure of cash. Such a response deserves praise and admiration and therefore was recorded for prosperity in the Mishnah.

With Bilam, the offer Balak sent did not mention riches and wealth. Balak only promised, “כי כבד אכבדך מאוד” – “that I will honor you greatly.” Bilam should have responded in-kind, that no “honor” is great enough to override the will of Hashem. Instead, Bilam chose to respond, “Even if Balak gives me a house full of money, I cannot violate the command of Hashem my Lord.” This begs the question, where was a mention of money? It was Bilam who introduced this notion altogether! The only valid explaination could be that Bilam was truly a greedy, money-hungry individual who always had money on the forefront of his mind. Therefore, bringing finances into the equation was the first thing out of Bilam's mouth.

Herein we find a powerful lesson about human nature. The desires of a person’s heart are exposed by speech that is regular and frequent on such an individual's lips. Much can be learned of ourselves and tthose with whom we interact by this tremendous, wise lesson Hashem gave in the words used in His Torah. 

Rabbi Leeor Dahan, a graduate of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim/RSA, is well versed in aspects of halachah and has written commentary on the Mishnah Berurah, and Shulchan Aruch. Rabbi Dahan encourages his congregants at Kehilat Avodat Hashem in Hillcrest, Queens to find time in their day for the study of Torah and associated halachic customs.

By Rabbi Leeor Dahan