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Why does the Torah (תורה) emphasize that Balak "saw" the Jewish victory when everyone witnessed it? The shiur distinguishes between "seeing" (observing reality) and "looking" (seeking to confirm preconceived desires). When we approach the world as "lookers" rather than "seers," we become blind to truth and treat the world as our personal vehicle for gratification rather than recognizing Hashem (ה׳)'s ownership.
The shiur begins with an apparent contradiction in Parshas Balak. The Torah (תורה) states that Balak saw the Jewish victory over the Amorites, yet everyone witnessed this triumph. Why single out Balak's seeing? Additionally, the simple reading suggests he saw their military might, while the Midrash claims he prophetically saw future Jewish sufferings and their ability to endure them. How can both interpretations coexist? Rabbi Zweig introduces a fundamental distinction between "seeing" and "looking" in Hebrew. The word "vayar" (and he saw) indicates looking with a preconceived paradigm rather than neutral observation. When someone "looks," they already possess a mindset and seek confirmation or fulfillment of predetermined desires. Balak wasn't merely observing; he was searching for ways to harm the Jewish people, as suggested by the acronym interpretation of his name: "Ba lakuk dam shel Yisrael" (he came to lick Jewish blood).
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Parshas Balak 22:2
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