 Rabbi Johanan taught that God reversed every curse that Balaam intended into a blessing.Thus Balaam wished to curse the Israelites to have no synagogues or school-houses, for "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob," refers to synagogues and school-houses.Balaam wished that the Shechinah should not rest upon the Israelites, for in "and your tabernacles, O Israel," the Tabernacle symbolizes the Divine Presence.