Hunt assisted by "Otzrot Yisrael", one of the CDs of the "Responsa Project" of Bar Ilan Univ.

Once again, Bil'am has popped up in computer comparisons of G'matriya of p'sukim. In this instance, let's look at an oft-repeated phrase (36 times as is; more with variations): KA'ASHER TZIVA HASHEM ET MOSHE, referring to something being done "as G-d commanded Moshe". In this week's sedra, the phrase appears twice: WithAharon and the Menora (8:3), and with the separation of the Levi'im for their sacred duty in the Mikdash (8:22).

The phrase has a numeric value of 1394, which turned up 3 p'sukim of interest with that G'matriya:

And Avimelech said (to Avraham) behold my land is before you, live where it pleases you. (B'reishit 20:15)

And Bil'am arose and went and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way. (Bamidbar 24:25)

What suggests itself is that when we do as "G-d commanded Moshe", when we keep the mitzvot, then we will merit being left alone by the nations of the world, and even to be favored by them. (One can debate which situation is better.) Balak and Bil'am who teamed up to harm Bnei Yisrael, dissolve their partnership when theirattempts fail. And, hopefully, the Avimelechs of the world will realize and appreciate the special quality of the Jewish people and behave accordingly.

To which we can say the words of T'hilim (113:2), "May G-d's name be blessed from now and forever", Y'HI SHEIM HASHEM M'VORACH MEI' ATA V'AD OLAM. (This pasuk also has a value of 1394).

Taking a similar phrase, also from B'ha'a'lotcha (9:5) in the context of the first annual Korban Pesach, the Torah says: K'CHOL ASHER TZIVA HASHEM ET MOSHE KEIN ASU BNEI YISRAEL, like all that G-d commanded Moshe, that's what the people of Israel did.

This phrase's G'matriya (2493) matches that of Dvarim 21:10 – When you go out to war against your enemies, G-d will give them (into your hands)... We can say that military victory flows from (is a reward for) our adherence to G-d's commands.

Similarly, if we do as He commands, then the pasuk in T'hilim (145:20) with that same numeric value will be activated – "G-d protects all who love Him, and all the wicked He will destroy." SHOMER HASHEM ET KOL OHAVAV... (from Ashrei)

This is the fourth presentation of Treasures in the Sand; three times, so far, there has been mention of Bil'am. He, and what he represents, is a very powerful force set up against us. The Bil'ams of the world can be neutralized iff (that's not a typo; it means "if and only if") we keep the Torah and remain faithful toG-d.

A general word of caution when it comes to G'matriya, specifically, the homemade variety that will be appearing in this Treasures in the Sand column. Don't read too much into them. They are not meant to say something new. They are meant to be a nice "numerical confirmation" of existing ideas.