Welcome to another episode of Nach Daily. Today we’re learning Mishlei Perek 17 which contains 28 pessukim.
In this perek, Shlomo Hamelech continues to point us to a good true path of life, cultivating positive and healthy attitudes and behaviors that will bring us to live a moral, honest life, connected to God, while simultaneously warning us of the pitfalls of moral corruption and negative actions.
Shlomo begins by relating that it’s better to be poor and at peace than to be wealthy and embattled. God looks at the heart, not at our financial stature. Therefore, mocking the poor is like mocking the Maker. Rejoicing in others’ misfortunes won't go unpunished.
Verse 9 says that “Michaseh pesha mivakesh ahava, v’soneh v’davar mafrid aluph - He who covers another’s sin elicits his love. But he who belabors a matter alienates a leader.”
Rashi explains that if a person wrongs you, but you hide your upset feelings by not constantly reminding the person of what he did, that person will eventually come to love you.
This is such an important lesson. So many times we try to correct another person's behavior by constantly reminding that person of the wrong done. In regard to a child we may constantly point out what it is doing wrong. This is a big, albeit innocent, mistake so many people make. It adds fuel to the fire, actually exacerbates the problem, and can damage a relationship.
Not constantly reminding people of their wrongdoings and shortcomings actually increases good will and love in our relationships. By focusing on the wellness and good that's already there, overlooking the person's sins, the response will be with love.
The perek moves on to equate misfortune, foolishness, evil and negative judgment while the other side equates wisdom, good fortune, positive regard, good will, blessings, friendship, and God.
Verse 24 says, “Es p’nei meivin Chochma, v’enei ksil b’ktsey aretz - Wisdom is right in front of the man who understands, but the eyes of the fool go searching to the end of the earth.”
Rebbe Nachman brings a famous metaphor about a person named Yitzchak who traveled a great distance to find a treasure chest that he kept seeing in his dreams. Once Yitzchak reached his destination, he was stopped by security guards patrolling the area. He was forced to explain about the treasure chest in his dream.
“You fool!” retorted the guard. “I keep on having a dream about a man named Yitzchak who lives in Warsaw whose address is such and such who has treasure buried underneath the oven in his home! Don't believe everything you dream.”
To Yitzchak’s astonishment, the guard had named his home address. Yitzchak rushed home and dug up the treasure under his oven.
We all have a treasure chest of God-given wisdom planted inside of ourselves. Each of us is filled with unique wisdom, but we often look outside of ourselves, traveling the world to find it.
I hope you enjoyed this NachDaily. Stay tuned to the next episode when we’ll be moving on to perek 18.
