A member of Knesset once shared, that he had two teachers in life. One was a person who taught him how to live, and behave. He was able to see a living example of a how to be a mensch.

The second teacher was a person who didn’t have good conduct, but this person imparted on the Knesset member valuable lessons in how NOT to be behave.

The Parsha this week presents the story of Bilaam. Bilaam was a much sought after prophet and sorcerer who had evil intentions to curse the Jewish people and thereby causing harm to them heaven forbid. Instead of using his unique powers and talent for goodness, he used it for the opposite.

Pirkei avot (Ethics of our fathers) takes notice of this evil man and contrasts him with Abraham the first Jew.

Chapter 5 Mishnah 19 reads as follows: “The disciples of our father Abraham have a good eye, a meek spirit and a humble soul. The disciples of the wicked Balaam have an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and an arrogant soul.”

The first step in knowing that you’re going in Abrahams ways and not Bilaam’s, is if you have a good eye.

A good eye means that you are happy with what you see around you. Namely the success of others.

There is a wonderful word in Yiddish “Fargin.” This means the ability to rejoice in someone else’s success.

Bilaam wasn’t able to swallow his fellow’s success. It bothered him and pained him, and did not allow him to sleep at night.

Instead of allowing others to shine, he chose a path of misery that ultimately led to his own failure.

Abraham teaches us the approach of a “good eye.” This means we should celebrate the success of our peers and colleagues. This will truly brings us inner joy and meaning.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Zalman and Esty