Mishlei 12-06 Deceptive Speech Key Concepts Hashem gave man the precious power of speech so that he can share wisdom, do kindnesses, and communicate with his Creator. (See Segment 10-11.) However, some people use this wonderful gift as a tool to camouflage evil...

Mishlei 12-07 Foundations Key Concepts Righteous people (tzadikim) build their lives on firm foundations. They are like a house that is designed to endure. Even when they encounter a setback, they do not lose their confidence and their trust in Hashem. In contrast,...

Mishlei 12-08 Intellect and Heart Key Concepts Mishlei has been emphasizing that the duty of every person is to acquire wisdom (chochmah). He needs to use that wisdom to direct his actions in a way that pleases his Creator. There are two related instruments of the...

Mishlei 12-09 Dignity and Toil Key Concepts It is natural to want to work in an occupation which allows you a sense of dignity and self-esteem. Such an environment can motivate you to live up to the noble image you have of yourself as a child of Hashem. This is a good...

Mishlei 12-10 Compassion and Cruelty Key Concepts The Torah teaches us to emulate our Creator and show compassion to those less fortunate or less capable than we. Our compassion must extend to the poor who are dependent upon us, to all the members of our household,...

Mishlei 12-11 Idleness and Toil Key Concepts People who work hard all their lives often see their goal as being able to idle away their final years. They see the ideal state of a person as passivity because it is undemanding. This is a perverted attitude because...

Mishlei 12-12 Greed Key Concepts The character of an individual determines his approach to earning his livelihood. The wicked person (rasha) is greedy by nature and so he focuses his attention on attaining the object of his desire in the quickest way possible, without...

Mishlei 12-13 Unguarded Speech Key Concepts Some people think of talking as merely a pleasant way of passing the time. They fail to consider the great damage that can occur as a result of careless speech. A person should always think about the implications of what he...

Mishlei 12-14 Speech and Action Key Concepts Although the power of speech can be a source of great harm as discussed in the previous segment, it can also be a source of great good. In fact. just as a person can do good through physical action, such as giving charity...

Mishlei 12-15 Wisdom - Humility Key Concepts It is a sign of wisdom to question your own thinking and consult with someone else who is even wiser. It is also a sign of humility because your instinctive pride causes you to assume you are right and there is no need to...

Mishlei 12-16 Anger. Consequence Key Concepts The emotion of anger is aroused when a person feels a threat to his sense of self, that is, when he feels belittled by the words or actions of another.  However, the very act of displaying anger has the effect of bringing...

Mishlei 12-17 Credibility Key Concepts A person earns credibility by habituating himself to always speak the truth, even when he is talking of less important matters. A deceitful person is not sensitive to the value of honesty and so, even when people depend on his...

Mishlei 12-18 Destructive Speech Key Concepts People use their power of speech so commonly that it is almost like breathing. Just as there are no restraints on breathing, a person may be under the impression that there should be no restraints on his ability to say...

Mishlei 12-19 Lasting Value Key Concepts In comparing the value of truth over falsehood Mishlei looks at the durability of a true statement versus the short life span of a lie. The truth stands on a firm foundation and will not waver no matter how much time has...

Mishlei 12-20 Treacherous Counsel Key Concepts If a person has earned sufficient credibility that disputants will accept his counsel, he must avoid using this opportunity to achieve some personal benefit or to nourish some pet peeve. The counsellor has a special...

Mishlei 12-21 Precedents Key Concepts A righteous person (tzadik) makes a conscientious effort to do the right thing in every situation. As a result, he influences his surroundings (his home, family, and friends) and thereby builds a support system which protects him...

Mishlei 12-22 Betrayal Key Concepts Some people misuse the great gift of speech, making promises or commitments that they do not intend to honor. In so doing they are betraying the trust that innocent people give to them. By taking unfair advantage in this way they...

Mishlei 12-23 Discretion Key Concepts When people acquire knowledge, they are immediately tempted to reveal it to others. In this way they gain influence and draw attention to themselves. However, there are great risks involved in revealing sensitive knowledge to...

Mishlei 12-24 Diligence Key Concepts Each person has been given the physical and spiritual powers he needs to meet the challenges of his life so that he can fulfill his mission in this world. However, it is up to the individual to develop and make use of those powers....

Mishlei 12-25 Anxiety Key Concepts Although people tend to lead a structured existence, no one can be certain of the future. Thus, we all live with uncertainty and this can affect our mood. The problem is that moods induced by thoughts of the future have a direct...

Mishlei 12-26 Role Models Key Concepts Each person’s character is constantly being molded and adjusted by the example of the people with whom he comes in contact. Mishlei advises him to make a conscience effort to choose a tzadik as his role model. He should be...

Mishlei 12-27 Wealth and Value Key Concepts When wealth is acquired deceptively and dishonestly it will not have lasting value.  The person who acquired it will not get the opportunity to benefit from his efforts. Furthermore, he will have to keep it hidden lest he be...

Mishlei 12-28 Life Key Concepts One of the essential characteristics of life is the need for continuous growth and change. When a person becomes stagnant in his personal development, he is closer to death. The process of change may be compared to travelling on a road...

Mishlei 13-01 Moral Discipline Key Concepts A child cannot be expected to develop into a responsible, Torah observing adult without focused attention and guidance on the part of his parents and teachers. It is important that this training begin at a young age and...

Mishlei 13-02 The Fruit of Wisdom Key Concepts Wisdom (chochmah) is the knowledge that guides a person in making good choices in life. Because such wisdom often runs counter to the person’s instinctive nature, it cannot be derived from human experience and must be...

Mishlei 13-03 Vigilance in Speech Key Concepts Human speech is a marvelous gift from Hashem. However, because it is so accessible, people don’t realize its power and are often careless in how they use it. They forget that that while speech can accomplish great things...

Mishlei 13-04 Idleness and Frustration Key Concepts Mishlei teaches that to achieve any objective in life, whether physical or spiritual, a person must be prepared to expend a degree of effort. This becomes a challenge for any individual who is inclined to be lazy and...

Mishlei 13-05 Truth and Falsehood Key Concepts Truth is a theoretical ideal that most people admire. However, in practice people are constantly tempted to utter falsehoods without even being aware of it. They lie through exaggeration and through making unjustified...

Mishlei 13-06 Stability and Mitzvos Key Concepts As we have seen in Segment 04-10, Mishlei compares the wisdom of the Torah to a road through life. Our mission is to faithfully stay on that road as we continue our journey of personal development and spiritual...

Mishlei 13-07 The Illusion of Wealth (Pesukim 13:7 and 13:8) Key Concepts This segment addresses the kind of person who amasses wealth without giving sufficient consideration to the price he may be paying. Will the value that he gains from the possession of wealth...

Mishlei 13-09 Light and Life Key Concepts We are granted the gift of life anew each day. As the darkness of night draws to a close and we are greeted by daylight, we know that we are alive, and our life force has been restored by our Creator. That life force is our...

Mishlei 13-10 Strife Key Concepts Small differences of opinion between people can lead to serious quarrels, and these can even come to physical violence if the parties have a bad attitude. The human quality that promotes conflict is found in a close-minded and selfish...

Mishlei 13-11   Wealth and Wisdom Key Concepts Mishlei teaches us to engage in constructive habits and lifestyles. We are reminded that through methodical and steady work habits a person can build up his material wealth. However, this is not to suggest that acquiring...

Mishlei 13-12   Misery and Heartache Key Concepts Tragically, many people lead lives of misery and heartache. They are not happy with events and circumstances that are important to them.  It may be that they are disappointed in the behavior of people close to them or...

Mishlei 13-13   Scorn Key Concepts There is an instinctive mechanism in human nature for a person to protect his high opinion of himself by disdaining anything or anybody that places a demand upon him, either directly or indirectly. If he is warned to avoid a danger,...

Mishlei 13-14   Vitality Key Concepts Many people think of the Torah as an integrated collection of laws and principles of behavior. That is saying a lot, but it is only part of the truth. When the Torah is drawn into the soul of an individual, it becomes a living...

Mishlei 13-15   Intelligence / Character Key Concepts Every person is created with a degree of intelligence which is needed in solving the problems of everyday life, especially those concerned with human relationships. Intelligence is especially important to a chacham...

Mishlei 13-16  Prudence Key Concepts When a person wants to take a course of action, he is naturally tempted to go forward immediately, neglecting to make sure he is doing the right thing. Is he reasonably certain of the facts? Is he exposing himself to unwise risk?...

Mishlei 13-17   Faithfulness Key Concepts When a person takes on an assignment, the attitude that he brings to his mission will determine how effective he will be.  If he respects the one who charged him with the mission and is faithful to its purpose, he will do more...

Mishlei 13-18   Willful Stubborness Key Concepts The purpose of Mishlei is to offer guidance in perfecting moral character and acquiring wisdom. This is a process which involves changes in a person’s thinking and behavior. Since change is difficult for most people,...

Mishlei 13-19   Physical Desire Key Concepts Since sinful behavior and sinful thoughts may be driven by unrestrained physical desire, it is important for a person to be able maintain control over such desire at all times. A wise person feels a sense of gratification...

Mishlei 13-20   Culture Key Concepts The culture of a population describes its values and its ways of thinking and acting. We cannot help but be influenced by the social environment in which we live. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the cultural patterns...

Mishlei 13-21   Habituation Key Concepts When a person decides to follow his conscience and do the right thing, he makes it easier for himself to repeat that behavior and do another good deed. In effect he habituates himself to doing good. By the same token if he...

Mishlei 13-22   Legacy Key Concepts Being able to pass on a legacy to one’s children and their children after them is a form of immortality than can even be achieved in this world. By means of that legacy a person can make a positive difference in the lives of his...

Mishlei 13-23  Law and Prosperity Key Concepts To earn an honest living, a person does not have to be rich. But it is important that he be law-abiding and live in a law-abiding society. The blessing of Hashem can bring prosperity even to a poor man’s small...

Mishlei 13-24   Parental Love Key Concepts The duties that come with being a parent are awesome. To raise a child properly requires an outpouring of continuous love. One of the reasons this can be so difficult is that it calls for a measured application of discipline....

Mishlei 13-25  Appetite Key Concepts As an essential condition of life, Hashem has given all creatures an appetite for food. The act of satisfying that appetite gives each creature a sense of pleasure. However, animals instinctively limit the amount of food they eat...

Mishlei 14-01 Women's Wisdom Key Concepts The wisdom that a Jewish woman brings to building her home involves a whole combination of knowledge, insight, abilities and skills, as well as moral virtue and spiritual excellence. These qualities are recognized by Mishlei...

Mishlei 14-02  Fear of Hashem Key Concepts In his behavior a person inadvertently reveals much about his personal attitude towards the Creator. If he conducts himself in a disciplined, consistent manner he is demonstrating that a sense of awareness of Hashem is an...

Mishlei 14-03   Conceit Key Concepts Every person instinctively compares himself to other people. Thus, he tends to judge his own achievements and personal qualities relative to those of others. Naturally, he would like to come out ahead in as many areas as possible...

Mishlei 14-04   Tolerance Key Concepts A person who wishes to accomplish anything in life must be prepared to tolerate nuisances and annoyances. He must manage his priorities and overlook inconveniences because being too fastidious and demanding may distract him from...

Mishlei 14-05   Truth and Deception Key Concepts A person should be self-disciplined in regard to speaking the truth at all times and in every circumstance. The ultimate image of truth telling is the role of a witness giving testimony in court. Giving false testimony...

Mishlei 14-06   Attitude Key Concepts A person must have the right attitude if he wishes to learn any subject, but especially if the subject is the wisdom of the Torah. The attitude that is called for is one of humility and respect for what is being taught.  Because...

Mishlei 14-07   Prudence Key Concepts There is a great risk in associating with people who have a distorted sense of right and wrong. Mishlei teaches that the prudent thing to do is to avoid such people whenever possible. Mishlei is especially concerned with the...

Mishlei 14-08   Shrewdness Key Concepts The wise person is mentally alert, and his mind is involved in proactive thought processes. Thus, he considers what may reasonably be expected to happen under present conditions and how conditions are likely to change. He also...

Mishlei 14-09   Thoughtlessness Key Concepts Some people go through life expressing the first thought that comes into their mind. This often results in embarrassment because they have unintentionally insulted someone, hurt someone, or brought up an awkward memory. As...

Mishlei 14-10   Empathy Key Concepts True chesed (kindness) requires the ability to offer comfort when someone is dejected and to share their pleasure when they are experiencing joy. However, it is sometimes difficult to sense another person’s mood, especially when we...

Mishlei 14-11  Endurance Key Concepts People who sacrifice their principles to gain personal advantage should realize that there is a high price to be paid for their momentary pleasures. They have put their hopes for security and peace of mind at risk. Their good...

Mishlei 14-12   Discernment Key Concepts The wise person realizes that we live in a world of cause and effect. Everything that happens is associated with one or more earlier events that caused it or influenced it. Ultimately, the entire sequence of cause and effect is...

Mishlei 14-13   Laughter Key Concepts It may seem that laughing and smiling are similar expressions of pleasure, but they are actually very different. A smile is a conscious act of kindness, which establishes a bond between people. In contrast, laughter is an...

Mishlei 14-14   Complacency Key Concepts It is natural for people to want to feel good about themselves and to be happy with whatever level of effort they are expending on doing mitzvos. This attitude can be helpful in supporting the mental stability everyone needs to...

Mishlei 14-15   Judiciousness Key Concepts We are all exposed to continuing flows of information, opinions, and advice. Some of it comes from parents, and teachers. But in addition, there is a variety of input from friends, acquaintances and the media. Much of what we...

Mishlei 14-16  Anger. Forbearance Key Concepts It is not easy to remain calm in a difficult situation. However, a person with sufficient forbearance doesn’t let himself be provoked into anger, no matter how frustrated he is by someone elses’s behavior. It takes a wise...

Mishlei 14-17   Impatience Key Concepts A short-tempered man is quickly frustrated if his expectations are not met. Because he is impatient to have things his way, he will try to force the issue and behave in a way that strikes most people as foolish. If he wants to...

Mishlei 14-18  Value Key Concepts A person’s true character is not always evident, even to himself. However, a good indication can be obtained by looking at what types of activities he values. An intelligent or clever person is quickly bored by inane pastimes that...

Mishlei 14-19 Recognition Key Concepts A man’s worth is not always evident from outward appearances. People who have succeeded in wealth and position are often thought of highly. But if they are inherently bad people, their true nature will ultimately be recognized....

Mishlei 14-20   Social Classes [Pesukim 14:20 and 14:21] Key Concepts The attitude of one person toward another is often affected by class. People tend to be more at ease with others of the same social class, whether in terms of wealth or education. As a result, they...

Mishlei 14-22   Secrecy Key Concepts People who are planning on doing harm often do so in secrecy, hoping that their evil intentions will not be discovered. If they were wise, they would realize that their secretive behavior is self-destructive and because their...

Mishlei 14-23   Effort Key Concepts Experience teaches that to achieve a worthwhile result, a person needs to expend effort. The trouble is that real effort involves the pain of having to expend physical and mental energy. Accordingly, many people are willing to...

Mishlei 14-24   Distinction Key Concepts A wise person who is impoverished may find it difficult to share his wisdom with others because of the false impression that poverty makes. They don’t give him the respect and attention that facilitate transmission of...

Mishlei 14-25  Reputation Key Concepts A person with a sensitivity for truth cannot permit himself to utter a falsehood even in minor matters. Such a person develops a reputation of integrity and people rely on what he says. He is symbolized by the truthful witness...

Mishlei 14-26 Devotion (Pesukim 14:26 and 14:27) Key Concepts The Jewish nation survives today because of the promise that Hashem made to our forefather Avraham. Hashem made that promise in response to the selfless devotion that Avraham showed to Him, as it says, “Now...

Mishlei 14-28  Participation Key Concepts An individual’s commitment to a cause is reinforced when other people have the same opinion. It is especially strengthened when the people who share ideals come together in one place. Seeing the many people that support the...

Mishlei 14-29   Forbearance Key Concepts A major test of character occurs when a person is treated unfairly. The instinctive reaction is be offended at the insult to his dignity. In fact, a person who tolerates insult without resentment in our competitive world is...

Mishlei 14-30   Envy Key Concepts The destructive emotion of envy occurs when a person resents the fact that someone else is blessed with a quality or posession that he thinks he is lacking. That resentment may be fueled by a wish for any one of a number of things...

Mishlei 14-31  Interdependence Key Concepts Hashem did not create man to be self-sufficient. In fact, the first woman was created because Hashem determined that man could not live alone. From an economics point of view every man must look to others to provide...

Mishlei 14-32   Steadfastness Key Concepts A person’s true character is tested when misfortune strikes. If he shows steadfastness and perseveres in his righteous way of life, he is worthy. But if he becomes quickly discouraged and allows himself to be dislodged from...

Mishlei 14-33  Thoroughness Key Concepts When a person engages in an important project or task, he must know that the result depends on the quality of the effort he puts into it. A random series of uncoordinated actions lurching from one short-term goal to another...

Mishlei 14-34   Justice Key Concepts Any good system of government depends on the application of uniform justice in which every member of society is equal before the law both in rights and obligations. The law prevents any individual from imposing his will on another....

Mishlei 14-35   Competence Key Concepts The quality of an individual who takes on responsibilities in an enterprise or a home is measured by that person’s competence at fulfulling his duties. In that sense competence is not a matter of skill or manual dexterity, but...

Mishlei 15-01   Forbearance Key Concepts A person with forbearance doesn’t let himself get provoked into anger. This concept was introduced in Segment 14-16. But what do you do when faced with verbal abuse by an angry person? Mishlei encourages you to respond with a...

Mishlei 15-02   Eloquence Key Concepts The wisdom of the wise rests not only in the knowledge they have acquired over the years, but in the skills they have developed to impart that knowledge in a meaningful manner. The eloquence of the wise man is an essential...

Mishlei 15-03 Transparency Key Concepts Mankind has been given the ability to appreciate the wonderful world in which we live. However, we often find this difficult to do. There is so much that is hidden from us in terms of the mysteries of the universe and in terms...

Mishlei 15-04   Empathy Key Concepts When treating an ill person, sympathy and understanding can be more effective than medication. Having empathy means listening to the troubled person and showing him that you really care about what he is going through. If the person...

Mishlei 15-05   Disrespect Key Concepts In Segments 10-17 and 12-01 we have seen how Hashem intervenes in the smooth flow of events and introduces customized lessons into a person’s life. These serve to remind him of his failings and encourage him to elevate himself...

Mishlei 15-06   Contamination Key Concepts A righteous person’s home is like a warehouse filled with all the spiritual treasure that he has amassed over the years. It includes the wisdom he has acquired and the mitzvos he has performed. It includes all the devotion,...

Mishlei 15-07 Consistency Key Concepts In order to share wisdom with others a person needs to maintain integrity in the way he develops and reveals it. For this purpose, the source of wisdom is understood to be the heart (or the mind). Ideas are developed in the heart...

Mishlei 15-08   Hypocrisy (Pesukim 15:8 and 15:9) Key Concepts Most people, whether good or bad, seek the approval and admiration of others. It enables them to view themselves through a prism of admiration and allows them to feel good about themselves, even if it is...

Mishlei 15-10   Intervention Key Concepts Because we have been given free will we are under the illusion that we are in control of our lives. However, we regularly experience unexpected events that may impact us in minor or major ways. These events may cheer us up or...

Mishlei 15-11   Mystery Key Concepts There is a certainty about the inevitability of death. But although our spiritual existence continues beyond death, we know very little about it. Death is the great unknown. We know there will be some kind of judgment, but we can...

Mishlei 15-12  Willfulness Key Concepts Free will is one of the greatest gifts granted to us by Hashem. We treasure it as we should, but we often abuse it by rejecting advice and criticism. Many people fiercely resist any constraints on what they perceive as their...

Mishlei 15-13   Cheerfulness Key Concepts When you are in a contented state of mind your heart is likely to feel the joy of life. That means you are happy because you expect good things to happen to you. Why? Because you feel that good things have happened to you in...

Mishlei 15-14   Discernment Key Concepts A person who develops an appreciation for the value and power of wisdom will be motivated to think deeply into the knowledge that he has acquired. He will learn to distinguish between similar concepts and will be able to apply...

Mishlei 15-15   Envy Key Concepts A person’s success in life depends not only upon his own initiative, but upon the blessings that were granted to him by his Creator. Those blessings include his physical, intellectual, emotional and financial resources as well as the...

Mishlei 15-16   Value (Pesukim 15:16 and 15:17) Key Concepts Every person should think about the relationship between the effort he expends to earn his living and the value of what he acquires. Depending on the vocation he chooses, the amount of effort may be...

Mishlei 15-18   Forbearance Key Concepts When a person is irritated by a challenging remark, he feels a great compulsion to answer back and demonstrate that his point of view is right. Giving the other party the last word implies that he admits being wrong and it...

Mishlei 15-19   Responsibility Key Concepts A responsible person sets goals for himself and focuses his energies on doing what it takes to achieve them. He is decisive and determined. When he encounters obstacles, he is not discouraged, but works with perseverance to...

Mishlei 15-20   Parenting Key Concepts The Jewish father has a duty to educate his son in the wisdom of the Torah. He does so through personal and professional instruction, through the application of consistent loving discipline, and by setting a good example.  The...

Mishlei 15-21   Self-Control Key Concepts A person with self-control has trained his heart to be guided by his intelligence. He is then referred to as a chacham lev (wise of heart). Without this guidance, the person is free to follow the passions of the moment. He is...

Mishlei 15-22   Advice Key Concepts It is unpleasant to admit ignorance and therefore people often assume they know as much about an issue as there is to know. Because they know it all there is no reason to ask for advice and admit ignorance. However, when a person is...