2021/5781
Based on a Shiur given by Rav Aryeh Lebowitz
In Parashat Matot, we go to war with Midyan, and we really decimate them. Everyone is killed, including all of the kings and one special guy. “Ve’Et Bil’am Ben Be’or Hargu BeCharev,” “And they killed Bilam Ben Be’or with a sword” (BeMidbar 31:8). Why is Bilam specifically pointed out? He’s been soundly defeated, his moment was two Parshiyot ago! We already had our Mah Tovu moment, and now he doesn’t matter anymore. What is the reason for Bilam being mentioned at this point?
If we look a little closer, this Parashah has a lot of emphasis on the power of speech. It sets the tone by starting off by talking about Nedarim. Nedarim are the ultimate exhibition of the power of speech. One’s words can completely transform an object from being Mutar to Assur. If you take a moment and think about it, there’s really nothing else like it.
What is the significance of Bilam? In Parashat Balak, he’s hired to beat the Jewish people, but not just however he wants. He’s hired to curse them, to use his words to destroy a whole nation. We know that it didn’t work, but it could have been detrimental to the Jewish people. Bilam is an example of just how powerful one’s words can be. They can be used to try to bring a person or group of people down, and they can cause you to be deserving of death, like in Bilam’s case.
This is an extremely important message, especially Bein HaMetzarim. The Beit HaMikdash was destroyed in part because of Sin’at Chinam, hatred between people. Words have the power to make something Assur, and they have the power to turn friends into enemies too. We should all be watching the things we say at this time of year, making sure to keep our friendships and even create new ones, and our words can help us rebuild the Beit HaMikdash before another Tish’a Be’Av in Galut!