I hope that everyone is doing well today. Welcome to NachDaily, covering the entire Tanach one perek at time. Today we’re starting Mishlei, perek aleph.
Before we begin, it should be noted that there are many Hebrew words for wisdom and understanding. I’m hoping that through these classes the subtle meanings of these words will be explained. At times I will clarify what these words signify, but often I will be using words like “wisdom” and “understanding” in a more general and broad sense.
The perek opens with Shlomo’s purpose in writing Mishlei, which was to make known the words of the wise. Intelligent people will be able to bring their wisdom to the next level of understanding, while the simple person will be able to gain knowledge and direction on how to live life. The ultimate purpose of the Sefer is to help us attain proper yiras Shamayim, fear of Heaven, thereby bringing us closer to Hashem.
When we understand that everything in this world is a metaphor for our relationship with Hashem, we will be able to come close to Him no matter where we find ourselves in life. As we penetrate the deeper meaning behind our experiences, we can connect them to God.
Shlomo gives advice to young children who are starting out their lives. It is proper for children to try to follow wisdom.
The famous passuk of “Shma b’ni mussar avicha v’al titosh Toras imicha, listen my son, to the moral direction given to you by your father and don’t forsake the Torah teachings of your mother.”
The Meforshim explain that children should listen to their parents’ advice and guidance. As our parents care about us the most and want what’s best for us, it is beneficial to heed their words.
Rashi says that “listen to the mussar avicha” refers to listening to the guidance of Torah sheb’al peh and Torah sheb’chsav which your Father, Hashem, gave you. Toras imecha, the Torah of your mother, can be read as umatecha, your nation, to follow all the Rabbinical enactments that Chazal- our nation – placed as safeguards for the Torah.
The Ramad Walli asks; why is it the musar of your father and Torah of your mother. It really should be the opposite? Because you would attribute the Torah to one’s father. And the middos character traits to one’s mother!
The Ramad Walli explains, al pi kabbala, that really the Torah flows out from Abba, the father, to Ima, the mother, because the masculine trait is synonymous with being mashpia, influencing. It’s the man who gives, to the woman who receives. It is the woman’s desire to receive which allows the man to give. Her desire is the medium which draws out the wisdom from the man.
The passuk attributes the Torah to the woman and the mussar to the father because it’s the woman who brings out and cultivates the mussar within the man to allow it to come out and be developed into Torah.
Moving on in the perek, Shlomo warns us not to be enticed by the outer trappings of this world by people who want to take us away from Kedusha, holiness. Stay far away from people who will negatively influence you.
Conversely, you should follow wisdom, as it says - Chochmos bachutz taranah berechovis titian kolah – Wisdom cries out loud in the market place and raises her voice in the streets.
The Vilna Goan explains that once again, Wisdom here is referring to the Torah. The Market place refers to a beis medrish or place of learning. The Torah will guide you to the proper path if you hear what it says, not like bad friends who don’t have your best interests in mind.
“Wisdom cries out loud” can mean that no matter where you find yourself in life, you can come close to Hashem. God is constantly calling out to us even in the marketplace.
The perek ends by speaking about how damaging it is to not follow a path of truth. This leads to inner turmoil and a life of strife and disappointment. In contrast, those who live a live of truth, who seek wisdom, will live secure, meaningful, and full lives.
