Parshat Balak does not contain any of the taryag mitzvot, nonethless, it is rich, as it provides us with fundamental character development information. "Derech eretz kadmah l'torah,' is clearly demonstrated and personified by Bilaam.
Towards the end of chapter 5 of Avot, this week's perek, the mishna presents the differences between Avraham Avinu and Bilaam. One would have expected that Avraham would be portrayed as the one who observed Torah and mitzvot This was taught to us in Bereishit (26:5) where Hashem expresses His extension of the covenant with Yitzchak as his father, "Listened to My voice, and observed My commandments, statutes and laws." The sages inform us that even rabbinic laws were scrupulously observed by Avraham, even eruv tavshilin. This was a phenomenal accomplishment when we consider the environment and times in which he lived -one immersed in idolatry. Bilaam, on the other hand, lived at a time when the entire world saw the hand of Hashem in Mitzrayim, the splitting of the Yam, and the revelation at Sinai. Still, he violated many laws of the Torah, including bestiality (Sanhedrin 105b).
The mishna does not focus on their actions, but rather on their nature and character. Avraham became the giant that he was, the father of the nation, because he had good character, and Bilaam, despite all his potential, was killed by the sword (Bamidbar 30:8) because of his terrible character traits.
The mishna in Avot notes that in his commentary , Rabbeinu Yonah, did not have to begin with the introduction that, "whoever possesses the following three traits is among the disciples of Avraham, and whoever has three different traits is among the disciples of the wicked Bilaam" (Mishna 19). It could have begun directly, i.e., "Whoever has a good eye (lack of jealousy), a humble spirit (modesty and humility), and a meek soul (humbling oneself and co-existing with average people) is to be reckoned among Avraham's students. Whoever has an evil eye (jealous of the next one's success and possessions), an arrogant spirit (haughty and proud) and a greedy soul (desire for wealth, and lust) is among the disciples of the wicked Bilaam.
The reason the mishnah explains itself, says Rabbeinu Yonah, is to emphasize and highlight the fact that these three character traits are what ultimately differentiate between these teachers and their students. Avraham becomes the, "Beloved of Hashem," (Isaiah 41:8) because of his good midot - character, and though Bilaam could have been as good as Avraham, he does not because of his corrupt midot.
A person's character ultimately affects his beliefs: The personal greed of the meraglim causes them to speak badly of Eretz Yisrael, the jealousy of Korach that motivated him to rebel against Moshe and Aaron, and similarly, it was Bilaam's greed that led him to attempt to curse Benei Yisrael. Bilaam knew what was right when he proclaimed, "Let me die the death of the righteous," (Bamidbar 23:10) as understood in the Talmud to be referring to the Patriarchs (Avodah Zarah 25a). He wanted to die like them, reside in the World to Come like them, but lacked the strength of character to live like them.
This theme is portrayed by Rav Elchanan Wasserman zt"l is his Kovetz Maamarim. In his first essay (on emunah) he demonstrates that is is the heart (midot) that rules the mind (intellect) of man. We can therefore appreciate the daily admonition found in the third paragraph of Shema, "V'lo taturu acharei l'vavchem v'acharei eineichem asher atem zonim achareihem" - "And not explore after your heart and after your eyes after which you stray." Should it not have said , "Do not stray after your mind"? Rav Wasserman contends that all intelligent minds understand and accept the existence of a creator, a God. However, the negative forces in man, i.e., his pride, greed, lust, drive for power, laziness, etc, interfere with the conclusions of the mind.
May we learn the lessons of Parshat Balaak, that the three sterling attributes we mentioned are enough to categorize us as a student of Avraham, but one who is lacking these three traits, despite other positive ones, he has not yet been promoted to the class of Avraham Avinu.