Rashi says: Why did G-d bestow prophecy on a wicked person such as Bilom? So the nations of the world shouldn't have an alibi, "had we had a prophet, we would have been good". Therefore, G-d gave them Bilom. Asks one of my Rabbeim: The question still stands. How does this satisfy their request? They could still say, "Give us a tzaddik like Moshe, not a bum like Bilom!" The answer is: Bilom didn't have to be a lowlife, Bilom had the tremendous potential to be another Moshe Rabbeinu, but he abused his G-d given abilities. The Rambam says (Hilchos T'shuva chap. 5) that a person can be as great as Moshe Rabbeinu. It was not pre-ordained that Bilom be wicked. Another question is asked: Bolok hired Bilom to curse the Jews. Why doesn't he hire Bilom to bless the bad guys? The answer I heard: A person with a bad eye cannot give a b'rocho. The verse says (Mishlei 22:9), "One with a positive outlook on life can bless others". Bilom cannot give a b'rocho, he can only curse. The Mishna says (Avos chap. 5): What is the fundamental difference between the disciples of Avrohom Avinu and Bilom's students? Says the Mishna: Avrohom's disciples have a good eye, while Bilom's students have an evil eye. 'Ayin Tova', says the Rambam, is contentment with one's lot. 'Nefesh Shfolo', says the Rambam, is watchfulness and carefulness. The Vilna Gaon zt"l would read the chapter on Watchfulness from the Path of the Just 12 times before he would walk in the streets of Vilna. And I can tell you, I was never in Vilna 200 years ago but the streets of Vilna over 200 years ago were a lot more pure than many streets in Yerusholayim today. The third character trait is 'ruach nemucho', extra humility. Bilom, on the other hand, had an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and a lustful passion. The Vilna Gaon says in Mishlei that man's main job in life is to refine his character and if he does not refine his character, there is no point in living. The question is posed: What is the difference between the disciples of Avrohom and the disciples of Bilom? The answer is very simple. You go into any yeshiva, you'll see disciples of Avrohom. You go to Ben Yehuda, King George, Jaffa or Dizengoff and you'll see the difference, what's the question? Answers the Rebbe shlita: We're talking about the Bilom's in yeshiva. If a person does not work on refining his character, he is Bilom's student. May Hashem help us that we be students of Avrohom Avinu. Torah Blessings, Y. Bertram bertram@ohr.israel.net