Rashi explains that Bilam desired to bring upon the Bnei Yisroel an evil eye and here you have his three traits, an evil eye, and an arrogant spirit, and a greedy soul. Rashi refers here to the Mishna in Avos (5:19) which delineates between the disciples of Bilam and the disciples of Avrohom. The disciples of Avrohom possess the attributes of a “good eye”, a humble temperament, and a lowly spirit, while the disciples of Bilam possess an evil eye, a haughty temperament, and an insatiable spirit. Two prototypes are contrasted in the Mishnah – Avrohom and Bilam. Yet,…
