Rashi sicha. Why Rashi Does Not Interpret “Mountain Peaks” Literally Like Ramban

Rashi departs from the literal reading of the verse, which would suggest that Bilaam was physically viewing the Israelite camp from the tops of mountains and hills. Instead, Rashi understands “From the mountain peaks I see him, and from the hills I behold him” as metaphorical language, referring to the foundational strength and merit of the Jewish people — derived from their forefathers (mountain peaks) and foremothers (hills).