Let's present one more question, and then we can go home and prepare for the next shiur. The Mishna says (Avot 5:19): כָּל מִי שֶׁיֵשׁ בְּיָדוֹ שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הַלָּלוּ, מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ. וּשְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים אֲחֵרִים, מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע. עַיִן טוֹבָה, וְרוּחַ נְמוּכָה, וְנֶפֶשׁ שְׁפָלָה, מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ. עַיִן רָעָה, וְרוּחַ גְּבוֹהָה, וְנֶפֶשׁ רְחָבָה, מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע.
Whoever possesses these three things, he is of the disciples of Avraham Avinu; and whoever possesses three other things, he is of the disciples of Bilaam, the wicked. A good eye, a humble spirit and a lowly soul – he is of the disciples of Avraham. An evil eye, a haughty spirit and a broad soul – he is of the disciples of Bilaam.
Anyone who reads this uniquely structured Mishna asks right away – why is it written this way? Say it straight and clear! Whoever possesses a good eye, a humble spirit, and a lowly soul – is of the disciples of Avraham Avinu; and whoever possesses an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and a broad soul – is of the disciples of the wicked Bilaam.
The commentators on this Mishna explain that its author conducted a quiz among his students: "Please tell me what differences you see between Avraham and Bilaam?" Each student suggested something, and at the end of the shiur, he said to them what is recorded in the Mishna: “In summary, the only differences between Avraham and Bilaam are three things: a good eye, a humble spirit, and a lowly soul; and their opposites: an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and a broad soul."
Another question that arises from this Mishna is why the Mishna compares Avraham and Bilaam. What is the connection between the two? Seemingly, there is none. Comparing Moshe and Bilaam – understandable. Or the disciples of Noach and the disciples of Bilaam – also makes sense. The answer is, there is one connection between them – the donkey created on Erev Shabbat at twilight! It was created for Bilaam and Avraham Avinu then rode on it. Regarding Avraham, it says וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר וַיַּחֲבֹשׁ אֶת חֲמֹרוֹ, and regarding Bilaam, it says וַיָּקָם בִּלְעָם בַּבֹּקֶר וַיַּחֲבֹשׁ אֶת אֲתֹנוֹ. Avraham with his servants, and Bilaam with his servants. Everything revolves around the donkey! Avraham around one male donkey, and Bilaam around one female donkey – this is their common denominator, and the Mishna can now ask what the difference between them is.
