The Blessing Test

We tend to think that life’s greatest tests come from not having enough. Poverty, illness and uncertainty can all challenge a person’s faith and resilience.

But what if having plenty can be just as great a test?

In his book Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker observes that in much of the developed world, people are now more likely to suffer from diseases linked to overconsumption than from starvation. Alongside unprecedented prosperity, our generation also struggles with rising loneliness, anxiety and depression. Pinker’s observation highlights an important truth: every generation has its challenges. Sometimes the challenge is scarcity; sometimes it is abundance.

This idea lies at the heart of this week’s parashah. When Bilaam asks permission to curse the Jewish people, Hashem replies: “Do not curse the people, for they are blessed.” (Bamidbar 22:12) Rashi notes something intriguing. Bilaam then changes tack and says, “If I cannot curse them, then let me bless them.” 

What happened? Had the great enemy of the Jewish people suddenly become their friend? Not at all. Bilaam’s proposed blessing was simply a more subtle form of attack.

Rabbi Yaakov Steiner explains that Bilaam understood a profound truth: there are two great spiritual tests in life – the challenge of poverty and the challenge of prosperity.

            Poverty can bring a person to despair and shake their faith. But prosperity carries its own danger. Success can create the illusion that everything we have is the product of our own talents and efforts. Comfort and achievement can slowly make us forget where our blessings came from.

Bilaam realised that if he could not destroy the Jewish people through suffering, perhaps abundance might do the job. Kill them with kindness. Give them wealth, comfort and honour, and maybe they would slowly drift away from Hashem.

Pirkei Avot teaches: “Who is rich? One who rejoices in what he has.” True wealth is not measured by how much we possess, but by our ability to recognise our blessings as gifts from Hashem and to be grateful for them.

Most of us enjoy comforts and opportunities that previous generations could scarcely imagine. The question is not whether we are blessed. The question is whether our blessings bring us closer to Hashem or slowly make us forget Him.

May we merit to recognise every blessing as a gift, to remain humble in times of plenty and faithful in times of challenge. May we use all that we have in the service of Hashem and for the good of others.

Shabbat Shalom