Miller's Musings Parshas Bolok: Nothing Comes From Nothing

The life of Bilom was one of absolute contradiction.  A man so in touch with the supernal realm that he was able to communicate with G-d, and yet so sunk in the mire of physicality that he was unable to extricate himself from the longings for honour and fortune even when the path led so clearly to ruin.  How are we to understand these two sides of the same person when one seems to be the antithesis of the other?  How could a person comparable to Moshe Rabbeinu in terms of his prophecy be considered the lowest of the low with regard to his actions and worldview?  How do we explain this paradoxical amalgamation of light and dark within one man?

The sights that were witnessed by those at the splitting of the Red Sea were of such a miraculous nature that even the maidservants present were said to have seen visions that even Yechezkel and all the other prophets never saw.  And yet they remained as they were, humble maidservants, never rising to the illustrious level of the prophets despite this momentary peek into the loftiest spheres of existence.  The reason, as explained by Reb Chaim Shmulevitz zt’l, is the same reason that Bilom never transcended beyond his mundane existence.  It is because that status they existed at was due not to their own endeavour or as a product of their striving, but was rather a gift from G-d, for whatever reasons He decided that it should be so.  True, long-lasting greatness of genuine value is never something attained through some short-cut, but must be the outcome of substantial toil and devotion to self-growth and character development.  Anything less will simply never do it.

The desire for instant gratification is becoming greater and greater with every passing day.  People are no longer willing to wait for anything or expend any ‘unnecessary’ energy if that which is desired can be reached more easily.  If the required exertion is deemed too much, it will be dismissed before the first step has been taken and we are constantly seeking new ways to minimise any labour that may be necessary.  The truth however is that nothing of genuine value is ever free or gained without effort.  It may appear at times to be of worth, but its benefit will always be short-lived and of no intrinsic importance or meaning.  The amount that must be put into something is directly proportionate to its innate potential goodness.  We were placed in this world to work step by step towards our perfection and it is only through work that we will ever achieve true purpose, fulfilment and ultimate happiness.

*May the energy of Shabbos provide the energy we need*              

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

לרפואה שלימה שרה יעל בת ברכה אסתר