In this week's parsha we read about the wicked Bilaam, who was hired to curse the Jewish People. When Bilaam was first approached to take the job, Hashem told him not to go. When he persisted to ask Hashem though he was finally given permission. Our Sages learn from this a very important concept that says in the "path a person wants to go Hashem moves him in that direction". Although this concept is difficult to understand, the simple meaning is that if a person wants to follow a path of wickedness then Hashem "helps" him. Likewise if he wants to follow a path of righteousness then Hashem will help him.

It is important to understand this because many times people will use the success they see in some endeavour as a sign that they are doing the right thing. A person can easily rationalize that if Hashem wasn't happy with my actions then I wouldn't have success. We learn from Bilaam that this way of thinking is not true. When a person needs to make a decision about their actions they should evaluate those actions with a pure heart and clarity to decide if they are following in the way of G-d. They shouldn't not look to success as a specific sign that they are on the right path. Unfortunately we have seen many wicked people who were wildly successful, yet it is clear to us that they were not following the proper path.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath