I hope you’re all doing well today. Welcome to NachDaily Mishlei Perek 27.
This chapter opens with the words “Al tisahallel b’yom machar, ki lo seida mah yeiled yom - Do not brag about tomorrow, for you do not know what the day will bring.” Metsudos and Rashi explain that you shouldn't be so certain about tomorrow’s occurrences because we cannot know what the next day will bring.
Psychologically speaking, why worry about tomorrow when you can live in the present? We often use our minds to think of the future, which creates anxiety, stress and worry. When we come back to the present moment and enjoy it, we feel less stress and worry plus an increase of well-being and overall happiness.
Living with Emunah really helps. Everything we have in life, including our emotional state, is what we need. Be content no matter what you’re feeling and experiencing. This helps all our extraneous thinking fall by the wayside. As the saying goes, “The present is a gift.”
Rebbe Nachman regularly said, “Ain la eleh hayom!” we only have this moment. “Mirega hazeh! From this moment onwards,” to start again, accomplish and enjoy life! No need to worry and stress.
As our passuk relates, don't worry about tomorrow because nothing is certain. Enjoy the present moment stress free!
The perek continues by relating that rebuke can be more positive than love. The more love in the relationship, the more hurt and wounds there can be as well. A man without a home is like a bird without a nest. Keep family close and try not to make any of your siblings jealous.
Shlomo then turns the lens inwards, as if he’s talking to himself. He asks for comfort from those who insulted him. He explains that a clever person hides from evil, but the naive fail to avoid evil and get punished.
Verse 15 says, “An annoying leak on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are the same.” This is a lesson on having a tranquil home. A wife's nagging is like the slow drip that eventually erodes the foundation of the house. Drip by drip, complaint by complaint, slowly eroding away on the husband's patience and confidence levels.
Passuk 19 says, “Kamayim hapanim lapanim, kein lev ha’adam la’adam - As water reflects the face to face, so is the one man’s heart reflected in another’s.” Rashi and the Gr’a explain that when your friend’s love for you is deep in his heart, you sense it and love him back.
How much must we love our brothers and sisters, only harboring positive feelings, love, not hate and cynicism. We have to care about others deeply, not being fearful of expressing our gratitude and appreciation for those we care about. If you have love in your heart, or something positive to say, share it! Let the other person know how you feel, creating a common bond and good will. It's a win-win situation because you both feel good about the relationship.
Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily when we’ll be moving on to Mishlei Perek 28.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.
