Welcome to another episode of NachDaily. Today we’re studying Mishlei Perek 18, which contains 24 pessukim.
In this perek, Shlomo continues to point a person in the direction of goodness and warns of the perils of cynicism and negativity.
A person who detaches himself from God has a deeper motive: to pursue his own desires. A smart person will be able to see right through the “intellectual arguments” of the non-believer and understand that the entire reason for denying God is so that he can live life in the way of his desires.
Verse 4 says: “Mayim amukim divrei fi ish, nachal novea m’kor Chochma - The words of man are deep waters: his fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.”
The Ralbag explains that there is infinite depth to the words of a true chocham because they are like a brook constantly flowing and being rejuvenated with fresh new water. So too, the words of the wise emanate from the Source of chochma, so new things can constantly be found in them.
The Ramad Walli notes that this doesn’t refer to just anyone with wisdom. The passuk is only referring to those with great chochma, on the level of nachal novea, like a flowing brook, constantly renewing themselves and the Torah they've learned. The Vilna Gaon notes that this can only apply to someone who learns Torah l’shma, for its own sake.
Moving on, the perek speaks about the power of speech and using words properly. A fool becomes entangled in his own words, which eventually become his downfall.
Verse 10 says, “Migdal oz Shem Hashem, bo yarutz tzaddik v’nisgav - The Name of God is a tower of strength. With it the righteous man can run and be strengthened.”
The Metsudos and Ralbag explain that a person can find constant chizuk and strength in God. One who is connected to Him feels encouraged with strength to deal with the trials and tribulations of life.
The Ramad Walli explains that it’s specifically the tzaddik that’s able to run and be strengthened in God. God builds the world through the power of “oz, strength,” which is synonymous with gevuros, strictness, and judgment. The tzaddik climbs from level to level, constantly going upwards. Using his strength to constantly serve God and reach higher levels provides hamatakos hadinim, sweetening of judgment, to the power and judgment used to govern the world.
Moving on the perek, Shlomo Hamelech relates the value of proper judgment. The first to plead one’s case always seems right until a counter argument is presented. Siblings fighting with each other is preferable to enemies fighting with each other, because at the end of the day you can never fully sever a connection with siblings. Even if you don't speak with them for many years, they’re still your siblings.
A person who found a wife has found goodness, and finds favor in God’s eyes. The poor man supplicates, while the rich man answers harshly. A man makes friends so that he can enjoy their company, because sometimes a friend can be closer than a brother.
Stay tuned to the next NachDaily when we’ll be moving in to perek 19.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.
