If someone said you were dirt, you would no doubt be rightfully offended. And yet in this week's parasha that is precisely what we the Jewish People are compared to. 

The verse states: "Who can count you - you are like dirt O Jacob". 

This is supposed to be a blessing? 

Surely there are better similes to describe the great number of Jews than comparing them to dirt! Indeed, when Abraham is blessed by G-d, he is told that his descendants will be as many as the stars of the heavens! 

Truthfully, however, this is not the first time that the Israelites are compared to dirt. When blessing Jacob, G-d said to him, "your descendants will be as the dirt of the earth". 

Two of the explanations found in Chassidic teachings are as follows: 

1. The Midrash says that Abraham was the first to bring spiritual light to the world and that he in turn taught his family and descendants to do the same. Therefore the blessing to Abraham was that they would be as the stars of the heavens - they would light up the world! 

Jacob, on the other hand, was the true founder of the Jewish People, the father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. As luminous as stars are, they are at great distances from each other. To form a people, however, unity is of utmost importance. Dirt is not only numerous - it sticks together. G-d's blessing to Jacob is that his descendants should not only be individually great and luminous - they should also stick together! 

2. The Baal Shem Tov gives another explanation: The earth, although it looks dirty, is filled with things of utmost value - precious metals, precious stones, water, coal and oil. Similarly, although a Jew may occasionally appear "dirty" and lacking in holiness, he or she possesses innumerable spiritual resources just waiting to be tapped. 

Now those are amazing blessings!

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM ~ Balak 5775