I hope you’re all doing well today. Welcome to another episode of NachDaily, with Mishlei Perek 25.
The perek opens with the words “Gam eileh Mishlei Shlomo asher heitiku anshei Chizkiah, melech Yehudah - These, too, are Shlomo’s proverbs, which were copied down by the men of King Chizkiah of Yehudah.”
The Meforshim differ about the history behind this. We know from the end of the last perek that Mishlei contains words of wisdom from people other than Shlomo. The Gr’a notes that this verse actually ends the wisdom of others and we return to the words of Shlomo. The Ibn Ezra notes the opposite…this verse actually ends the words of Shlomo and adds the wisdom of Shevna, who was Shlomo’s personal scribe.
The Metsudos explains that these words were actually taught by Shlomo but written down by Chizkiah when he became king. It makes sense, adds the Meiri, that Chizkiah inserted these wise words because there were tremendous enlightenment and Torah learning during his reign.
In a similar vein, the Ramad Walli explains that Chizkiah attained so much chochma because he chased after it with all his heart. He was able to reveal what was buried deep below and hidden away. This is why the passuk uses the word “hetika” from the word “ancient,” meaning that Chizkiah revealed the ancient words of Shlomo Hamelech.
Verse beis says, “K’vod Elohim haster davar uch’vod melachim chakor davar - The honor of God is to conceal a matter, but the honor of kings is to probe a matter.”
The Ramad Walli explains the connection between these verses to say that Shlomo Hamelech, who was on a higher level, hid these words of wisdom. They remained hidden until King Chizkiah was able to probe the depth of wisdom to reveal Shlomo’s words.
Alternatively, Rebbe Nachman in Lekutei Maharan lesson 6 explains that people need to lower and hide their honor to increase the kavod of Hashem. In putting our needs and ideas before Hashem’s honor by trying to increase our own, we will have the kavod melachim - honor of mortals, which can be interpreted as the rabbis. People are constantly investigating and questioning whether or not others are fitting for their positions. We often find that people who are leaders but really aren't suitable for their positions are constantly investigated and scrutinized. Therefore, we must lower ourselves and run away from any sort of honor at all!
Moving on, the chapter deals with the reverence and honor one must have for a king, the damage of infighting and shaming others, the need for proper social boundaries, and the grave sin of testifying about something you didn't actually see.
Verse 21 says, “Im ra’ev sonacha ha’achileihu lechem, v’im tzame, hashkeihu mayim - If your enemy is hungry, feed him bread, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
I believe that this verse sheds a deep light on relationships. Most people think it takes two to engage in a proper relationship, but I would suggest that one reason to help your enemies is that by showing a spirit of generosity and good will to them, you’ll improve the relationships and turn them around.
Although it is really counter-intuitive, it only takes one person to help the relationship to improve. As the saying goes “Be the change you want to see.”
Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily. We’ll be moving on to Mishlei Perek 26.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.
