Chazal say that Bilam's Brachos were even greater than the Brachos of Yaakov and Moshe. Yaakov and Moshe first gave Tochacha to Klal Yisroel, and only then did they give Brachos. But the Brachos of Bilam had no: flaw. Look how Davka the worst of the worst produces the best of the best. The next time things go bad and you’re getting depressed, don’t be so impressed. It may be a Hakdama (prelude) to something extra good.
Look at how those ugly wicked poisonous snakes became the great N'chash HaN'choshes which gives instant healing! There is so much “bad” in this world which is really a stepping stone to the greatest goodness. Bilam was either the son of Lavan, or Lavan himself, about whom it says: לֹכַּה תֶא רוֹקֲﬠַל שֵׁקִּבּ ןָבָלְו Lavan tried to uproot us entirely. Lavan was the worst of the worst, even compared to Paroh HaRasha.
The Worst Midda Can Be Channeled to Reach the Highest Madregos
And where did Avraham and Yitzchok insist on getting Shiduchim for Klal Yisroel? Not in Canaan, but Davka by Aram; Lavan’s country! Avraham means Romemus, and Sara also means: ְשׂ ָר ָרה nobility. Canaan means K'niya, i.e., bending and humility; and Aram means Romemus. Even the worst form of Romemus and true wicked Ga'ava can be channeled to the highest Madregos.
And often you Davka need a wicked trait to give you success. וּליִפַא תוְֹצִמוּ הָרוֹתְּבּ םָדָא קוֹסֲﬠַי םָלוֹעְל הָּמְשִׁל אָבּ הָּמְשִׁל אֹלֶשׁ ˂וֹתִּמֶשׁ הָּמְשִׁל אֹלֶשׁ ב הק ןירדהנס A person should learn Torah and do Mitzvos Shelo Li'shmah (for the wrong reasons) because eventually he will do it Li'shmah (to serve Hashem). Use your Yetzer Hara! So many of those wild kids turn out the greatest! A lazy person can sometimes be a big Ma'ala, since he has less Ga'ava and he sins less. A quieter person has less Lashon Hara and: םיִרָבְד תַאָנוֹא hurtful speech and Ka'as in his system.
Every Chisaron Has a Ma'ala
Always build up your Chisaron and see good in it! The person with Yissurim has much more humility and less Gehinom. The lustful Baal Ta'ava should know that he has tremendous potential to becoming a fiery Oved Hashem! But Ga'ava is actually a #1: ֶשׁ ֹל ִל א ְשׁ ָמ הּ (ulterior motivation) since the Chovos Halvavos says that without it you can’t be a real Anav. People like us may need a lifetime to keep working on Kosher Ga'ava. And look how
Being A “Frum” Type Isn’t Always a Ma'ala
Bilam davened that he should be like the: םיִרָשְׁי Yesharim (upright). He didn’t say "Tzaddikim" or "Chasidim," because being a: ָי ָשׁ ר Yashar is exactly what he was missing. The Netziv says that the Avos were: םיִרָשְׁי Yesharim because they were nice to their enemies, i.e., they had Shviras HaMiddos and going against their Tevah; this is what Bilam lacked.
He had plenty of spiritualism, being a Navi, and by: ןֶבּ קָלָבּ רוֹפִּצ Balak, the son of Tzipor (bird), they say that a bird had special powers. Actually, a bird is a spiritual being in the sky, but the Treife predatory birds can be the lowest creatures. How careful a person must be to acquire a Rebbe to get the right Chinuch, especially in what’s good for his Neshama. Being a “frum” type isn’t always a Ma'ala. He may have to become a Baal Ga'ava if his nature is to be too soft, etc. Or if he always feels that he does everything wrong, then he has to Davka feel he’s perfect. R' Shlomo Freifeld Zatzal told me that when he wants to get angry, he Davka doesn’t. Each person needs the proper medicine for his Neshama. A kvetchy person needs to thank over time, even when he’s doing sins, or during the worst difficulties.
Davka from Bilam HaRasha came such wonderful Brachos. We also find that Hashem causes the biggest Tzaddikim to descend from the worst Reshaim. Like Haman, Sis'ra, and Sancheirev (and almost even Nevuchadnetzar) had children who were the greatest Tzaddikim, like Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Meir.
We can even suggest that we can learn from the bad Middos of Bilam; how he loved Kavod to the extreme, since in Avodas Hashem so often those who love Kavod work harder and become greater. Also, we see his unusual determination ignoring all the signs against him, And despite his foot being crushed, and a Malach going against him, he continued to pursue his wicked agenda to curse Klal Yisroel. So should we not be impressed by those many setbacks, like when our Bitachon doesn’t seem to work; we continue without Hispa'alus. Look how Bilam continues on, despite his: ַחמוֹ ר donkey going against him.
If Yidden would run after Kavod and keep moving to the extreme that Bilam did, then we’d have so many more Gedolei Yisroel (אֵמוֹיִנֵמְכַּחְתּ יַבְי תהלים קיט צח We become smarter by learning from our enemies).
