I hope you’re all doing well today. Welcome to another episode of NachDaily, Mishlei Perek 23.
In this perek Shlomo warns us in a strict manner as if he's speaking directly to us about our behavior, and gives us divrei mussar.
The perek opens by relating that we should not be obsessive about food and dieting, constantly being consumed by it. If we sit to eat with a “ruler,” aka the yetzer hara, we should try our best not to crave more than we really need.
Shlomo Hamelech goes on to talk about the futility of wealth, which can be gone in the blink of an eye. The Gra and the Malbim note how much time is wasted by chasing after parnassah, neglecting Torah learning which connects us to the Source of life itself.
I would add here that it is certainly a mitzva to earn a living. Unfortunately, we often get completely taken over by our professions and use our careers to define ourselves. Getting pulled away by this illusion makes it difficult for us to return to our true selves and actually do the things we value when we have a bit more time.
Shlomo Hamelech urges us to strive to attain morality and seek words of truth. As it says in verse 12, “Havia lamussar libecha v’az’necha l’imrei da’as - Apply your heart to moral instruction, your ears to words of knowledge.” The Rabbeinu Yona points out that it is our obligation to work on both our minds and hearts, purifying them with wisdom and sincerity.
The Alshich Hakadosh explains that Chazal tell us that the hearts of Tzaddikim are in their own possession, while Reshaim are possessed by their hearts. In the future Hashem is going to show both Tzaddikim and Reshaim their Yetzer Haras.
The Yetzer Hara of the Tzaddik will appear like a huge mountain. “How was I able to overcome this?” he will wonder, as the counterforce of the Yetzer Hara and its illusions constantly attempted to stop him from ascending.
To the Rasha, It will look like a strand of hair. “How was I not able to overcome this?” the Rasha will wonder. He was tripped up in the illusions presented in front of him by the Yetzer Hara, and will recognize having been merely tricked by a smoke screen.
Moving on, Shlomo explains the need to be active parents and not be too busy for your children. Shlomo also explains the need to be self content and not be jealous of others, to have a lev tov, good heart. Do not look at others’ lives, but feel content with your own lot in life.
Shlomo speaks of the dangers of alcoholism and gluttony. He urges us to value what we've learnt from our parents. Parents are happy for righteous children and feel successful when their children do well, but being an alcoholic obviously detracts from your success in life.
I often wish people a good Shabbos before it begins, and they already smell like alcohol! Why all the drinking in shuls? Look at what it can become! When does it stop?
This leads right into the next part of the perek. Shlomo warns in engaging with the “dangerous woman,” to stay away from prostitutes and to keep our eyes clean and pure.
Verse 27 says, “Ki shucha amuka zona uv’er tzara nachriyah - For the harlot is a deep pit, and the foreign woman is a narrow well.” She is especially dangerous to one who drinks, who can be seduced by her strong desires.
The Ramad Walli explains that nothing attracts a person’s eyes more than the “esha zenunim.” She looks pretty on the outside, but is rotting away on the inside. He explains that once a person gets caught up in a cycle with her, it feels like Gehinom, and eventually he will be living in hell itself!
To end on a more positive note: If you are suffering, stay strong--there's help out there. Don't give up on Hashem’s compassion, because even the worst things in your life can be transformed to good!
Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily as we move on to perek 24.
