395. Rabbi Aba said, Certainly all these things applied to Bilaam, but how do we know that he, BILAAM, was also involved in sexually indecent behavior? HE REPLIES: Because it says, "Behold, these caused the children of Yisrael, through the counsel of Bilaam, to revolt against Hashem..." (Bemidbar 31:16). We have here idol worship OF PEOR and sexual immorality OF KOZBI, DAUGHTER OF TZUR. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT false testimony APPLIED TO BILAAM? Because it is written: "And knows the knowledge of the most High" (Bemidbar 24:16) and yet he did not know even the thoughts of his beast, BECAUSE HE COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY HIS SHE-MULE DETOURED FROM THE ROAD. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT the distortion of justice ALSO APPLIED TO BILAAM? Because it is written: "Come therefore, and I will advise you" (Ibid. 14), for it was still debated AND IMPENDS ON judgment IF YISRAEL IS GUILTLESS OR NOT. Yet he gave bad advice to harm YISRAEL, and that is a perversion of justice, SINCE HE counseled harmful things to them without any remorse.