משך חכמה — בדבר בלעם

Q — What was "דבר בלעם" that caused Israel to sin at בעל פעור (beyond his advice to Balak about prostitution per Rashi)?

A — It was a השקפת עולם that Bilam planted in Israel: "לא הביט און ביעקב" — Hashem ignores Israel's sins, as a friend doesn't quickly leave a friend ("ותרועת מלך בו" = רֵעוּת). His proof: at the Exodus both Egyptians and Israel were idolaters, yet Hashem saved Israel. This complacent theology — that deeds don't really affect the relationship — is the "החליק לשון" of Mishlei 28:23, the very ideology that enabled Pe'or; against it the Torah holds: "לבלתי סור מדרך התורה אף כמלוא שעל."