97. Come and see that, in spite of all this, the wicked of Midian did not rest from all their evil. Generations later, when they saw that Joshua had died, together with all the elders who were worthy to have miracles performed through them, they figured that the time was now opportune. What did they do? They approached Amalek and told them, It is worth it for you to remember what the children of Yisrael and their master Moses and his disciple Joshua have brought upon you that will destroy you. Now is the opportune time, for they have no one to shield them. We will go and accompany you, as it is written: "Midian and Amalek and the children of the east..." (Shoftim 6:33). "And because of Midian Yisrael made for themselves the tunnels..." (Ibid. 2). There was no one in the world who wished to harm the children of YISRAEL like Midian. You might say Amalek; because of jealousy of the covenant, they approached the covenant TO HARM IT. Therefore, the Holy One, blessed be He, took everlasting vengeance, which was not to be forgotten. They agreed that it was certainly so and there was no doubt at all.

425. During that time, there was nobody in the world who was with them, AZA AND AZAEL, except for him, BILAAM, who would daily shut himself with them in those mountains. That is why it says, "Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of old," surely from "the mountains of old," WHICH ARE THE MOUNTAINS OF THE DARKNESS, AS MENTIONED, and not from the land of the people of the east (also: 'of old').

434. At the top of that crown, there are four rows to four directions - NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST - which are ROWS OF towers, as it says, "Banks (also: 'towers') of fragrant flowers" (Shir Hashirim 5:13). What is "fragrant?" It is as it says, "With all powders of the merchant" (Ibid. 3:6). On each tower are three portals, set with fine stones around each side. This crown shines with engravings of precious gold of Ophir for the glory of the King, as it is written: "I will make men more rare than fine gold; and mankind, than the pure gold of Ophir" (Yeshayah 13:12).