Why does the Torah write "va'Yikar" in connection with Bil'am, and "va'Yikra" in connection with Moshe?
Rashi, Ramban and R. Bachye #1 : Refer to Vayikra, 1:1:5:1.
Ramban and R. Bachye #2: Hashem came to Bil?am like He came to people who went alone to prepare to receive Ru?ach ha?Kodesh and stood trembling. 1 2
R. Bachye #3: It means that Hashem appeared to him casually - because he was not worthy of prophecy.
Hadar Zekenim and Moshav Zekenim: Refer to Vayikra, 1:1:5:2.
Ramban: When Hashem appeared to Bil'am, his hair stood on end, a trembling seized him, he was gripped with terror, his whole demeanor changed and he fell on his face to the ground.
Ramban and R. Bachye: Because Bil?am was not worthy of Divine Revelation, and Hashem only appeared to him in honor of Yisrael.
Why, on this occasion, did Hashem appear to Bil'am by day?
Rashi and Ramban: In honor of Yisrael.
" ? es Shiv'as ha'Mizb'chos Arachti?. Why specifically seven?
Refer to 23:3:1:1-4.
R. Bachye #3: Corresponding to the seven days of the week, which, in turn, symbolize the forces of nature, where the number seven recurs often, and which explins why many Mitzvos - such as that of Pesach are connected with the number seven. 1
See R. Bachye who elaborates.
What was Bil'am referring to when he said "es Shiv'as ha'Mizb'chos'?
Rashi: He was referring to the seven Mizbe'chos that the Avos built, 1 and was boasting that he built as many as all of them combined. 2
R. Bachye #1: He was telling Hashem that he had brought sacrifices on the seven altars that Balak had built - to find favor in His Eyes.
R. Bachye #2: He was referring to the altars that seven Tzadikim 3 had brught before him, and was boasting that he had built altars corresponding to all of them.
R. Bachye #3 (According to Kabalah: He was referring to the seven Midos - corresponding to the seven days of the Creation and the seven lamps of the Menorah - which he wanted to arouse in order to curse Yisrael. 4
Rashi: Avraham - four, Yitzchak - one and Ya'akov - two.
Refer also to 23:1:1:1**.
R. Bachye: Adam, Kayin Hevel, No?ach, Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya?akov.
Chesed Gevurah, Tif?eres, Netzach, Hod, Y?sod and Malchu.
Why did Bil'am see fit to tell Hashem about the Mizb'chos that he had built?
Ramban (in Pasuk 1): He did so in the form of a prayer, in the hope that Hashem would accept his sacrifices favorably and grant him his request. 1
But He did not, as stated in the next Pasuk.
Why did Bil'am conclude "Va'a'al Par va'Ayil ba'Mizbe'ach"?
Rashi: He was boasting that, whereas Avraham brought only a ram on the Mizbe'ach, he brought a bull as well (on each Mizbe'ach)!
