B"H

Thursday, Tammuz 15, 5776 / July 21, 2016 - Hakhel year

In Parshat Balak, we read how G-d put words of blessings into Bilam’s mouth and instead of cursing the Jewish people, as he originally intended, he praises and blesses them on three occasions.

One of the many words of praise Bilam said about the Jewish people was, "Mah Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov Mishknotecha Yisrael" - "How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel". 

We begin our daily morning prayers with these words. Although they came from Bilam’s mouth, the Torah tells us that G-d put these words into his mouth and thus they are G-d's holy blessings.

Two expressions are used here to describe the Jewish home; "Tents" and "Dwellings." A tent is a temporary home, while a dwelling represents a permanent home.  

Throughout Jewish history, we shifted between tents and dwellings – between temporary and more permanent dwellings. "How good are your tents O Jacob" - tells us that even when living in tents - throughout our many exiles and persecutions, the Jewish people excelled in their achievement as a people. We were unique in producing the greatest intellectuals, great scholars and superb leaders.  

Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch succeeded the Baal Shem Tov as leader of the Chassidic movement.  Before becoming leader, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch was a teacher, with a meager income. Living in poverty, he didn't even have the barest necessities of a decent table, chairs and bed.

Once the Baal Shem Tov asked a visitor to stop in Mezritch on his way home and give regards to Rabbi Dov Ber. When the person came to Rabbi Dov Ber's house, he couldn't believe its dilapidated state. When he went inside, he was even more shocked at the poverty which he found.  

After giving regards from the Baal Shem Tov, the man said; "Rabbi, I am not a wealthy man myself, yet, at home, I have a decent table, chairs, and beds. How can you live like this?"

Rabbi Dov Ber looked at him, smiled and replied, "You said, at home you have everything you need. Sure, at home one should have all the necessities... I too, at home, have all that I need!"

Rabbi Dov Ber was implying that he didn't view this world as his home. To Rabbi Dov Ber, this world was only “Ohalecha” (“tent”) a temporary place to prepare for his real home, in the World-to-Come.

Thus, we recite each morning, "How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel". This serves as a reminder that this world is "Ohalecha" - "Tents" - a reminder that all material possessions are only temporary… 

A Jew's true possession and real estate are the mitzvot and good deeds performed in this world, which is everlasting in the World-to-Come.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY