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Why does Bilaam call himself and Balak kfui tov at the start of his blessings? The shiur develops a chiddush that Bilaam invented a sophisticated form of ingratitude — paying back so generously that the benefactor destroys himself from the excess, allowing the debtor to feel superior rather than dependent.
This shiur examines a fascinating Midrash on Parshas Balak that reveals Bilaam's psychological innovation in dealing with hakaras hatov. The Midrash describes Bilaam's opening remarks to his blessings, where he tells Balak that they are both kfui tov (ingrates) — Balak owes his existence to Avrohom's merit (through Lot's rescue from Sodom), and Bilaam owes his abilities to Yaakov's merit (as Lavan's son who received children through Yaakov's blessing). Rabbi Zweig explores why Bilaam would begin his blessings by highlighting their ingratitude, and develops a profound psychological insight into the nature of kfui tov. Traditional ingratitude takes two forms: either denying the favor entirely, or reframing it as harm (like Adam HaRishon blaming Hashem (ה׳) for giving him Chavah). But Bilaam introduces a third, more sophisticated approach.
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Parshas Balak
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