A Powerful Insight from Rabbeinu Bachya on Parshat Balak

One of the most puzzling moments in Parashat Balak appears when Hashem seems to give Balaam two opposite instructions.

At first, when Balak's messengers arrive and ask Balaam to come curse the Jewish people, Hashem tells him clearly: "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed" (Bemidbar 22:12).

Later, however, Hashem says to him: "If the men have come to call you, rise and go with them, but only the thing that I speak to you, that you shall do" (Bemidbar 22:20).

What changed? Why did Hashem first forbid Balaam from going and then permit him to go?

A Similar Lesson From the Spies

Rabbeinu Bachya explains this apparent contradiction by comparing it to another well-known episode in the Torah: the story of the spies.

Before entering the Land of Israel, the Jewish people asked Moshe to send spies to scout out the land. This request was unnecessary. Hashem had already promised them that the land was good and that they would inherit it. Yet the people wanted to see it for themselves before moving forward.

In response, Hashem told Moshe: "Send for yourself men" (Bemidbar 13:2).

The sages explain that these words were significant. Hashem was not commanding Moshe to send spies. Rather, He was saying: if this is what the people want, then send them according to your own judgment. I have already promised them the land, but if they insist on taking this path, I will allow it.

The request itself reflected a lack of trust. Instead of relying fully on Hashem's promise, the people wanted additional reassurance. Hashem therefore allowed them to proceed according to their own desire.

Balaam's Choice

Rabbeinu Bachya explains that the same principle applies to Balaam.

At first, Hashem's will was completely clear. Balaam was not to go with Balak's messengers, because their purpose was to curse the Jewish people.

But Balaam did not let the matter rest.

He wanted to go.

The honor, prestige, and reward being offered by Balak appealed to him, and he continued pursuing the opportunity even after receiving a clear answer.

Eventually, Hashem said to him: "Rise and go with them."

According to Rabbeinu Bachya, this was not a change in Hashem's will. Rather, Hashem was allowing Balaam to follow the path he himself had chosen.

As Rabbeinu Bachya writes, just as Hashem said regarding the spies, "Send for yourself men," so too He effectively told Balaam: if this is what you want, then go.

The Path a Person Chooses

From here we learn one of the Torah's most important principles: "On the path a person wants to take, he is led."

Hashem grants every person free choice. Sometimes a person desires something that is not truly good for him. At first, he may encounter resistance. Circumstances may push him to reconsider. He may receive clear signs that he should choose a different direction.

Yet if he insists on continuing, Hashem may allow him to proceed.

This does not mean that Hashem approves of the choice. Rather, it means that Hashem respects the freedom He has given every human being. A person is allowed to choose his own path, even when that path is a mistake.

Balaam's Lesson

Balaam believed that if he could only reach Balak, he might somehow achieve what he wanted.

But Hashem allowed the journey to unfold in order to teach him a lesson.

Balaam was permitted to go, yet he was never allowed to carry out his true objective. Time after time, every attempt to curse the Jewish people turned into a blessing. The very journey he desired became proof that Hashem's will cannot be overcome.

This is the deeper meaning of Rabbeinu Bachya's teaching. Hashem allowed Balaam to follow his chosen path, but the outcome revealed the truth. No matter how much Balaam wanted to curse Israel, he could not succeed against a nation protected by Hashem.

Rabbeinu Bachya concludes with the principle that emerges from the entire episode: "From here you learn that on the path a person wants to take, he is led."

The challenge for each of us is to ask ourselves not only where we want to go, but whether the path we are pursuing is truly the one Hashem wants for us.