Mishlei Perek 29

NachDaily: 5 Minute Perek of Tanach covering the entire Navi. Sefer Yehoshua, Shoftim, Shmuel, Melachim, Yeshaya, Yirmiya, Yechezkel, Hoshea, Yoel, Amos, Ovadya,Yona, Micha, Nachum, Chabakuk, Tzefania, Chagai, Melachi, Zecharya and Tehilim

Welcome to another episode of Nach Daily with Mishlei, Perek 19. The perek opens by telling us that it’s better to earn an honest living and be poor than to be wealthy through deceit. Verse 2 says, “Gam b’lo da’as nefesh lo tov, v’atz b’raglayim chotei – It’s not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who rushes his steps, sins.” The Malbim relates that people usually sin not because they are fools, but because they lack da’as, true knowledge and understanding. The more we understand about life, the more informed we are in our judgments and moment to moment decisions. Lack of understanding will cause a person to rush to sin. Alternatively, the Gr’a explains that “it's not good for a person to be without knowledge” refers to someone who does Mitzvos without learning Torah. Ultimately a person's nefesh won't feel satisfied without Torah learning, while he who rushes his steps is referring to those who try to act higher than their level. This is a temptation for many people. Don’t act more righteous than you are, but present yourself accurately, not any higher or lower than your reality. The higher up on a ladder one climbs, the harder the fall. Act with humility and advance in your avoda, your spiritual growth, little by little, step by step. The perek goes on to relate both the advantages and pitfalls of wealth and poverty. Those with wealth may find themselves with many new friends. It can be hard to discern who’s truly interested in them or who wants to benefit from the perceived wealth. Poor people will find companions who are truly interested in them for no ulterior motives. On the other hand, those who live in poverty are often detested by those around him, even their relatives, as others may fear that they will be asked for financial aid. A rich person is able to be philanthropic, and not seek the help of others. Wealth gives a person a sense of autonomy and independence. Further in the perek we learn that an intelligent man is able to overlook things, while a fool harbors resentment and grudges. Difficult children weigh on the heart, and a nagging wife is like an annoying drip. Financial wealth is often inherited, but a good wife is a gift from God. Those who overcome their anger and rescue their enemies will be blessed with added days and goodness. (Rashi) Accepting good advice allows one to grow in wisdom with the years. In verse 21 we learn the famous passuk of, “Rabos machashavos b’lev ish va’atsas Hashem hi sakum - Many are the thoughts in a man’s heart, but it's God's counsel that will be fulfilled.” The Gr’a explains that when people attempt to accomplish or figure something out, they have many thoughts about how to go about it. Ultimately, however, the only thing that will happen is what Hashem had decided on in the first place. Psychologically speaking, rabos machshavos, man has many thoughts. Research says that the average person has 60,000 to 100,000 different thoughts a day! Often when we try to figure something out we’re just ramping up the noise in our heads. It's like making the volume louder on a stereo until the mind is filled with a marching band. Therefore, atsas Hashem hi takum - it's God's counsel that will be fulfilled, meaning that a person must go deeper. Rav Shlomo Wolbe says that among the many thoughts in our minds is what Hashem desires. With deep thought and self discipline, with a quiet mind, we can discover the right course of action. The Meiri says that we must trust Hashem as we make our plans, aware that the outcome may be entirely different than what we had anticipated. Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily. Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.