At the conclusion of the Torah portion, there is the account of the Israelites’ sin with the Moavite and Midyanite women, who seduced the Israelites to engage in forbidden sexual relations and worship idols. The Torah relates that these sins came about “by the word of Bilam,” through his advice. The Sages explain the nature of that advice: He told them that it is impossible to overcome Israel by force, but it is possible to cause them to stray from the virtuous path.

The verse states concerning the women of Midyan: “Behold, they were for the children of Israel, by the word of Bilam” (Numbers 31:16). What was the word of Bilam? He told them: Even if you advance against the Israelites with all the multitudes in the world you will not prevail against them. Are you more numerous than the Egyptians, as it is stated concerning them: “He took six hundred select chariots” (Exodus 14:7)? Come and I will advise you what you shall do: The God of these people hates licentiousness. Provide them with your wives and your daughters for licentiousness. (Sifrei Bemidbar, Matot 157)