In Parshat Balak, when Bilam (our enemy) blessed
(Bamidbar 23:9) he said “For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from
hills I behold him. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude (am
levadad yishkon) and not be reckoned among the nations.”
According to Midrash Hagadol, this is a reference to
mission to remain separate and distinct from the nations.
The Gemara is Sanhedrin 105a states that Bilam was among
four commoners who have no share in Olam HaBa (the world to come).
The name Bilam can be separated into two words, Bilo Am
(without a nation), meaning that he had no connection to the Jewish people and
will not share their lot in Olam HaBa.
Bilam set a sign for himself where it is derived that he has
no share in Olam HaBa. He said in Bamidbar 23:18: “May my soul die the death of
the upright and my end will be like his.”
The Gemara explains what Bilam was implying when he made
that statement: If I die a natural death, then my fate will be like the Jewish
people and I will have a place in Olam HaBa. If I do not die a natural death,
then I will join my people in Gehenom (Hell).
Bilam did not die a natural death, rather he was killed by
the sword (Bamidbar 31:8). We therefore learn from here that he descended to
Gehenom.
We learn here that righteous gentiles do have the
opportunity to enter Olam HaBa.
Rav Saadya Gaon says that the words “and not be reckoned
among the nations” means that B’nai Yisrael are not counted as equals among the
nations because they are chosen and special.
Sforno says that
in solitude and as it says in Parshat Haazinu, Devarim 32:12: “So the Lord
alone did lead him and there was no strange god with him”. In the end, the
Jewish people will always dwell on their own protected by God, how could anyone
try to destroy them?”
We see from here that Bilam’s words do ring true. The Jewish
people have remained separate and distinct from all of the other nations. Although
we may sometimes feel alone, God is always with us.
