Would you hire Bilaam to work at your Jewish organization?
Let’s check out his resume. Bilaam’s previous job titles include dream interpreter, magician, and most recently, prophet via ruach hakodesh, the holy spirit. His most recent employer was Balak, the king of Moav, an internationally-known non-violent antisemite.
Your hiring committee is impressed with the resume. Bilaam clearly is a top-caliber candidate for the open position, and his prophetic and magical abilities bring a portfolio of skills that your organization currently doesn’t possess, that you know would help bring the organization to the next level.
There are some concerns that Bilaam isn’t Jewish, but you’re not hiring him to be your organization’s rabbi. The job is not to teach Judaism or to be a Jewish role model. Rather it’s a planning position, to help your organization anticipate future needs and allocate resources. Bilaam seems uniquely qualified for this critical job, and you decide to interview him.
He comes in and presents professionally. He’s personable, kind, and charming. He brings up, without being asked, his most recent job with Balak.
“I didn’t know much about him. He offered me a lot of money, and didn’t fully explain what the job was. I was curious if his reputation was deserved. And I was clear with him that I wouldn’t do anything I didn’t feel comfortable with. I could quit at any time. I thought I could even help him accomplish some good and steer him away from some of the bad things he might do.”
“He stuck with me for a while, even though he wasn’t happy with my work. He did ask me to curse the Jews, and what came out instead, via God Almighty, were blessings, over and over. They were some of my finest work—and I think those blessings will stand the test of time and history. Thanks to that experience, I’ve come to really love the Jewish people. And I can assure you, God only allows me to speak blessings about the Jewish people—I could not say anything negative about this community even if I wanted to, and I don’t want to!”
Your search committee is excited—you’re about to hire a legitimate prophet for a planning position. You’re convinced of his sincerity, and while you may question his judgement in having been willing to try working for Balak, you understand Bilaam’s explanation, and can’t argue with the results. Moreover, you know that anyone who meets with Bilaam will come away convinced of his decency, honesty, and of his dedication to your organization’s mission.
Bilaam lists only one reference—the Holy Blessed One. You call the number (the instructions are just to dial “1” and then to listen). The reference is simply awesome, in every sense of the word.
Every board member and staff member who meets Bilaam supports the hire. He goes through multiple rounds of interviews and is by far the most outstanding candidate. You trust your organization’s stakeholders to be open-minded and to put aside their preexisting (and justified) prejudices against Balak to welcome Bilaam into the organization.
What questions you want to ask Bilaam, if you got to interview him for this job?
If your community/organization announced Bilaam’s hire, what would make you uncomfortable, angry, or scared?
What would make you proud or hopeful?
What questions would you have for the hiring committee?
What would you think about this hire, and what would make you change your mind?
May we merit the blessing of Bilaam:
Ma tovu, ohalecha Ya’akov, mishkenotecha, Yisrael.
“How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel” (Numbers 24:5).
Rabbi Noah Arnow serves Kol Rinah and is a Past President of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the d’var Torah for the Jewish Light.
