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By God preventing Bilaam from cursing the Jews, was that not an impingement of Bilaams free will?

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Bil'am chooses to "say whatever God says". –  Double AA Jul 3 '12 at 16:33
-1, no context indicating where God did so. –  msh210 Jul 3 '12 at 16:37
guys, if you don't know the answer, just say so –  user1668 Jul 3 '12 at 17:02
@BoelShamusToova Suppose it was. What's the problem? –  Dov F Jul 3 '12 at 17:54
Possible dup? judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/12200/… (There are additional considerations there beyond just the free-will question.) –  Monica Cellio Jul 26 '12 at 14:50

1 Answer 1

Bilaam had free will - but he also had a heightened awareness of Gcd's presence.

As a prophet he was acutely aware of Gcd's ability to punish; and he even got a "refresher course" on his journey, in the episode with his talking donkey.

Compare it to this: You find a perfect spot to park - but it's there's a no-parking sign and a policeman standing nearby. Would you consider that an impingement of your free will?

Of course not! You are simply in a situation with a heightened awareness of the law's ability to punish you.

Both you and Bilaam have the physical ability to do whatever they please - park or curse - so you have free will. But you both realize the consequences of making the wrong choice.

See this Q&A for a similar idea with Paro's free will.

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In particular, this answer there: judaism.stackexchange.com/a/12202/472 . –  Monica Cellio Jul 26 '12 at 14:48
Any source for this explanation? –  msh210 Jul 26 '12 at 15:49

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