Kabbalah Library

413. “And the mare saw the angel of the Lord.” Why did the mare see, and Balaam, who as so wise, did not see? It is because it is forbidden for that wicked one to look at a holy sight, to be able to see the Lord’s angel. Yet, it is written about him “who falls down with eyes wide open”? When he needed to look, he would fall down and see. But now, with the angel, he did not need to look, and therefore did not see.

414. Thus, Balaam was at a higher degree than all the faithful prophets, for he was open eyed; he saw and beheld the glory of the Creator. But Rabbi Shimon said, “Balaam, through his charms, knew those bottom Sefirot before, as it is written, “And Balaam son of Beor, the sorcerer.” The text calls him sorcerer, which is dirty filth, so how would he behold the glory of his master? Also, Rabbi Shimon said, “With one sight, which he saw for the time being, as it is written, ‘and the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam,’ his eyes became twisted.” How can this be, that he saw with open eyes, and beheld the glory of the Creator?

415. This requires clarification. Certainly, the secrets of the Torah are sublime, and the people of the world cannot grasp them. For this reason, it is forbidden to speak words of Torah before the matter is heard and he knows it to the fullest.