Continuing along this sublime path, we can now explain why Balak and Bilam opposed the conjunction of the two names Yaakov and Yisrael. They intended to complete what the guardian angel of Eisav sought to accomplish but failed—to annul the name Yaakov completely.
Now, we have already cited the passuk: “Not because of your righteousness and the uprightness of your heart are you coming to take possession of their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations does Hashem, your G-d, drive them away from before you.” In other words, Yisrael only merited entering Eretz Yisrael on account of the name Yaakov, demonstrating their worthiness by comparing them to the goyim. The last of the forty-two journeys travelled by Yisrael in the midbar prior to entering Eretz Yisrael was to the plains of Moav. Therefore, Balak recruited Bilam specifically to curse the combination of Yaakov and Yisrael, so that they would no longer be called both names but only Yisrael. That would prevent the people of Yisrael from entering Eretz Yisrael.
This explains magnificently why Balak sent the following message to Bilam (Bamidbar 22, 5): «הנה עם יצא ממצרים»—behold! A people has come out of Mitzrayim. As explained, they were not worthy or deserving in their own merit; they were only worthy in relation to the wickedness of the Egyptians. "הנה כסה את עין הארץ והוא יושב ממולי"—behold! It has covered the surface of the earth, and it sits opposite me. In other words, it sits opposite me to evaluate its worthiness and righteousness in relation to the corruption of my people, Moav. Therefore, I implore you:«ועתה לכה נא ארה לי את העם הזה כי עצום הוא ממני» —so now, please come and curse this people for me, for it is too powerful for me. He specifically says »ממני«—for me—because HKB”H was evaluating the worthiness of Yisrael in relation to his (Balak’s) actions.
This is why Bilam exclaimed: “From Aram, Balak, King of Moav, led me, from the mountains of the east, ‘Come invoke curse upon Yaakov for me, come bring anger upon Yisrael.’” He wanted to deny the people of Yisrael the privilege of being associated with the two names Yaakov and Yisrael; he wanted them to be left solely with the name Yisrael. Thus, they would only be exonerated when judged, if they were meritorious in their own right. Consequently, they would not be allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael. As we know, HKB”H intervened; He denied Bilam’s request, and He compelled Bilam to utter the following prophecy:
“How can I curse? G-d has not cursed. How can I anger, when Hashem has not been angry? For from its origin, I see it rock-like, and from hills do I view it.” This prophecy confirmed that the two names Yaakov and Yisrael were afforded protection from the letters of the names of the Avos and Imahos; they are imbued and illuminated by the two names א»ל הוי»ה, as per the passuk:«אל הוי»ה ויאר לנו».
