וירא בלק בן צפור (בלק יט:יג)

A Rav once spent Shabbos Parshas Balak by Reb Meir’l Premislan zt’l, and Reb Meir’l honored the Rav with an aliyah.  Before the guest wanted to make a bracha, Reb Meir’l said: “I want to ask you a small question, what was Balak – A Yid or a Goy (gentile)? And why was a Parsha from the holy Torah named after a Goy?”

The guest didn’t have an answer.

After davening, Reb Meir’l explained: “Listen, and Meir’l will answer you. Years ago, as a young man, I went with my friend to the Rebbe, Reb Mordche from Kremnitz zt’’l.  It started pouring on the way, thoroughly drenching us.  We looked for shelter and suddenly saw a house from afar.  We didn’t overthink, and we went inside.  We started heading out when we realized the owner wasn’t Jewish.  However, the owner ran after us and told us to stay. He prepared beds, heated the oven for us, and in the morning, before leaving, even handed us some money for our travels.”

Reb Mier’l continued: “My friend and I argued.  My friends said that the ‘goy’ was “אן ערליכע גוי” – a righteous gentile, and I said he is an “אומערליכע גוי” – dishonest gentile.  We decided that we’d present the story to our Rebbe.

Reb Mordche asked me: “Where in the Torah can you prove you are right?” I answered tha the Medrash in Parshas Vayishlach says: “אמר רבי שמעון בר יוחאי הלכה היא בידוע שעשו שונה ליעקב” – there is a known halacha that Eisav despises Yaakov.”  If hating Jews is a halacha, then a שונא ישראל – one who hates Jews is “עהרליך” – righteous, since he fulfilled the halacha.  Since our host transgressed the halacha and acted so lovely to us, I said that he is an “אומערליכע גוי” – dishonest gentile!”

Reb Mordche agreed with Reb Meir’l.

Reb Meri’l turned to his guest and said: “Balak was the greatest שונא ישראל – he fulfilled the halacha to the max – marking him an “ערליכע גוי” – hence, a Parsha was named on his behalf!