HaShem opened the mouth of the she-donkey and she said to Bilaam, "What have I done to you that you have struck me three times?" (22:28)
Bilaam's she-donkey "saw" the angel blocking its path. Bilaam's vision was obscured. Therefore, he had no idea why the animal was not moving on. His first reaction was to strike the animal three times, after which the she-donkey miraculously opened its mouth and asked why he had struck three "regalim," times.
Rashi notes the Torah's use of the word "regalim," a word used to describe the three Jewish Festivals, rather than the more commonly used word of "paamim." Rashi, quoting Chazal, states that this unusual form -- which usually denotes Festivals -- is used to teach us that Bilaam sought to uproot the three Jewish Festivals (Shalosh Regalim).
What is the connection between the Shalosh Regalim and Bilaam?
- Ari z”l: Suggests that Bilaam had no intention to destroy Klal Yisrael in its entirety. He sought only to eliminate our observance of the Three Festivals.
- Meshech Chochmah: Chagigah 2a interprets the words of the verse in Shmos 34,23 "Shalosh p'amim bashanah YEIRO'EH," - three times a year they SHOULD BE SEEN, as if it were written YIR'EH, - they SHOULD SEE, an allusion to the fact that all the bnei Yisrael who go on the thrice yearly pilgrimage, envision HaShem's Countenance at some level. If so, how does Bilaam, who cannot even see an angel, a mere messenger of HaShem, expect to overpower the bnei Yisrael, who merit seeing a level of HaShem's Countenance?
- Penimim Yakarim: The Medrash says that HaShem asked Bilaam if he were to curse the bnei Yisrael and have them ch"v annihilated, who would fulfill the Torah's Mitzvos. Bilaam answered that he would. This is why HaShem specified the mitzvah of "aliyoh l'regel." Bilaam could not do this mitzvah because his leg was so badly injured that he could not make a pilgrimage on his own two feet.
- Shem MiShmuel: The three festivals were granted to the Jewish nation as a means to rectify the three Big sins: murder (Sukkos), idolatry (Pesach), lust (Shavuos). These three festivals represent the complete opposite and the negation of Bilaam and his philosophy.
- Kotker Rebbe: Rashi on the words "Linu fo ha'leiloh" (verse 8) says that Bilaam was only able to receive prophecy at night. The donkey therefore told him that his abilities were time restricted. If so, how could he expect to defeat a nation that is empowered with the ability to set the dates of the three Festivals, Pesach, Shavuos, and Sukkos?
- Sifsei Kohein: Literally these words should be translated as "these three legs." Refer to the verse in Yechezkeil 1,7 says, "veregleihem regel yesharah," their (the angels') feet are one straight foot. They have their feet together as if they are one. (This is why we place our feet together for the "amidah" prayer.) The bnei Yisrael always have a guardian angel watching over them, as per the verse in Shmos 23,20, "Hinei onochi sholeiach maloch lefonecha." The one foot of the angel and the two feet of each ben Yisrael are always together. If so, why do you hit me because I do not transport you to “chas veshalom” curse the bnei Yisrael who together with their guardian angel total three feet?
- Avnei Nezer: The people of the world offer sacrifices but do not wish to change their ways and abandon the method of living. The Jews leave their homes and their way of life to go three times a year to the Bais HaMikdash in order to abandon any negative behavior.
- Binyan Ariel: Bilaam desired to allude to the sin of the Golden Calf in order to cause retribution upon the Jews. However, the three Festivals allow the Jews to obtain forgiveness for this sin.
