As rivers they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as tents which Hashem has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.
The Ohr Hachaim explains this possuk as describing four kinds of Tzadikim that Klal Yisroel possesses.
- Those similar to Shmuel Hanavi, who would travel around the entire Eretz Yisroel each year, to meet people and teach them Torah and Mitzvos, encouraging them to increase their observance.
- Those Tzadikim that dedicate their lives to learning Torah, teaching others, and deciding Halachic questions. This group would sit in the Lishkas Hagazis, the special room in the Beis Hamikdash and decide national Halachic questions. They were similar to the first group, as they would take responsibility for Klal Yisroel’s Torah study and observance. The difference was only that they would wait for petitioners to come and speak to them, whereas Shmuel wouldn’t wait for them, and he would travel around the country to find those that would not come and request help.
- A lower level of Tzadik spends their days learning Torah for its own sake. They don’t teach others, but they are wholly dedicated to knowing and learning.
- The fourth, and lowest, level, consists of those who work for a living, but support the first three groups.
All four of these are alluded to in this possuk.
The first group are כִנְּחָלִים נִטְיוּ - those that are like rivers that spread water from one place to another to give people something to drink. This is like Shmuel Hanavi who would bring the healing waters of Torah from place to place. They are not mere receptacles of water, but they do the work of bringing it to those who need it.
The second group is כְּגַנֹּת עֲלֵי נָהָר - like the gardens by the riverside. They produce fruit of all types, and anyone who wishes to partake can come and enjoy. Others may harvest the fruit and transport it all over the country, but the garden stays in place. The Chachamim of the Sanhedrin can answer any question they are asked, and people bring their ideas back to their towns and teach Torah to everyone.
The third group of Talmidei Chachamim are כַאֲהָלִים נָטַע ה' – like tents planted by Hashem, who have closed themselves off in the tents of Torah to understand the word of Hashem. Yaakov was an אִיש תָם יֹשֵב אֹהָלִים – complete man, who dwells in tents. A tree strengthens its connection to the ground as it gets older. So, too, the Talmid Chacham who lives in the Beis Hamedrash, constantly reviews his learning, and is constantly strengthening his connection to Torah. The longer he spends in the ‘tent’, the greater he becomes.
The fourth group are the cedar trees on water. These cedar trees represent the wealthy among us, that have the power that riches bestow to make a difference. They can use their power for good, supporting those who do learn Torah. Their power is in this world, not the next. They do not produce any fruit, like a cedar tree. The only worthwhile fruit is Torah, and those who only support Torah but do not delve into Torah on their own, and their ability is limited.
But they are called עֲלֵי מַיִם – on the waters. They live near the waters of Torah, and they are connected to those waters, because they use their money to support Talmidei Chachamim and they also receive a portion of the reward of the Torah.
Bil’am’s point was that all of Klal Yisroel, even those who are not perfect Talmidei Chachamim, are connected to Torah and holiness. Even those who spend their days occupied with matters of this world are connected to Torah and holiness.
