Mishlei 01-20
Wisdom is Calling
[Pesukim 1:20 thru 1:33]
Key Concepts
Don’t say that the wisdom of the Torah is too difficult for you or is not available to you in your situation in life. Don’t say that such wisdom is suitable only for theoretical discussions in the Bais Hamedrash but is not practical for the real world in which you must function every day.
The message of Wisdom is very serious and is critical to your life. Don’t neglect it and don’t try to evade it. You should visualize Wisdom as a dynamic spirit which is desperately eager to share and adapt its message to everyone in every situation, no matter how much they have studied in the past and no matter what other activity is occupying their attention.
Exploring Mishlei
INTRODUCTION. Wisdom is calling out to everyone and is proclaiming its accessibility in every human habitation.
כ = חָכְמוֹת בַּחוּץ תָּרֹנָּה בָּרְחֹבוֹת תִּתֵּן קוֹלָהּ
כא = בְּרֹאשׁ הֹמִיּוֹת תִּקְרָא בְּפִתְחֵי שְׁעָרִים בָּעִיר אֲמָרֶיהָ תֹאמֵר
(20) Wisdom proclaims its message in the street. It raises its voice in the squares. (21) At the head of the noisy markets, at the entrances to the city gates, and everywhere in the city, Wisdom speaks its words.
IGNORANCE. Every baby starts out in life in a state of complete ignorance. Gradually over the years he acquires the knowledge and wisdom to succeed at some level. Under normal conditions, nobody remains an imbecile. However, many Jews fail to achieve the minimal level they will need to serve Hashem properly and experience spiritual growth. What prevents believing Jews from breaking out of their state of ignorance? Unfortunately, many find it very difficult to make the sacrifices that are needed to acquire the wisdom of the Torah. Three major considerations have been identified.
(1) Despite the best of intentions, some lack the strength of character to avoid being influenced by the distractions that abound in our society. And so they waste their time in idle amusement. (2) They may also be affected by the culture of disrespect and levity which pervades many social circles. Because of their lack of seriousness they cannot commit their minds to thoughtful study over any length of time. (3) Some may have become discouraged by the challenges of the learning process itself. Instead of the sweetness of learning all they see is hard work and so they have given up.
All of these factors are dealt with by the spirit of Wisdom here in Mishlei. In effect, Wisdom advises each person to examine himself and understand what is holding him back from rising further out of the swamp of ignorance. Once a person understands what behavior patterns he has fallen victim to, he needs to work on himself to break those patterns. Here, Wisdom assures him that he will not be alone. If he makes an effort, he will have the benefit of Divine help.
ב = עַד מָתַי פְּתָיִם תְּאֵהֲבוּ פֶתִי וְלֵצִים לָצוֹן חָמְדוּ לָהֶם וּכְסִילִים
יִשְׂנְאוּ דָעַת
כג = תָּשׁוּבוּ לְתוֹכַחְתִּי הִנֵּה אַבִּיעָה לָכֶם רוּחִי אוֹדִיעָה דְבָרַי אֶתְכֶם
(22) Wisdom says: “You simple-minded people, how long will you be devoted to distractions? How long will self-styled comedians delight in teasing each other? How long will fools hate knowledge?
(23) How long before you turn back at my rebuke. Listen here! I will impart my spirit to you. I will make my words known to you.”
REJECTION. The natural state of a human being is to be a receptacle for the wisdom of the Torah and to live a life that is governed by that wisdom. When a person rejects the opportunity to acquire wisdom, it is a sign that he has been influenced by character weaknesses such as laziness or the attraction of immoral life styles.
In effect there is a voice of Wisdom within each person’s soul calling upon him to overcome his human weaknesses and adopt the purpose for which he was created. When the individual consciously ignores that voice, he is held accountable.
The voice of Wisdom notifies him that he must be ready to face the consequences of his rejection, as described in subsequent parts of this segment.
כד = יַעַן קָרָאתִי וַתְּמָאֵנוּ נָטִיתִי יָדִי וְאֵין מַקְשִׁיב
כה = וַתִּפְרְעוּ כָל עֲצָתִי וְתוֹכַחְתִּי לֹא אֲבִיתֶם
(24) Wisdom continues: “Because I called you, but you refused, because I motioned with my hand and no one paid attention. (25) Because you rejected my advice and you did not want my rebuke, you will need to accept the consequences.”
RUDE AWAKENING. People like to believe that they are right, especially when times are good. Even when things go wrong they naturally assume it is just bad luck or someone else’s fault. However, if a person always believes he is doing the right thing he will never change and he will never grow.
What does it take to puncture a person’s balloon of self-deception? Even a gradual worsening of his situation may not do it. He will continue to come up with rationalizations, desperately hanging on to his illusions because he does not want to change.
If Hashem sends him a sudden misfortune, that may shake him up. But even then, he will not be eager to consider the implications.
Mishlei advises him to look into his heart and open himself up to the voice of Wisdom that exists within each person’s soul.
If he does so, he will realize that Wisdom is showing him how ridiculous he has become because of his refusal to face the truth. He will see that Wisdom is laughing at him and is mocking him. Perhaps the shock of being an object of humor will break through his veneer of complacency!
כו = גַּם אֲנִי בְּאֵידְכֶם אֶשְׂחָק אֶלְעַג בְּבֹא פַחְדְּכֶם:
(26) Wisdom continues: “I, too. When your misfortune strikes, I will laugh at you.”
CONSEQUENCES. People who make bad choices in life often do so because they fail to think through the consequences of their actions. They react to their current feelings and influences but don’t consider that things will not always be the same. Even when they know they are not doing what they should be doing they persuade themselves that the situation is not urgent, and they will have opportunities to adjust their behavior later.
In these last pesukim of Chapter 1, Mishlei warns the reader that time is running out. Acquiring the wisdom of the Torah is a process that takes time and cannot be done at the last minute. A person who has neglected wisdom will one day be forced to face the consequences. Instead of the happiness that he hoped to achieve with his current life choices he will realize that a life without the guidance of wisdom is doomed to tragedy.
This message is conveyed by the voice of Wisdom within his own soul, which tells him that without Torah he will be at a loss when the inevitable dark day of tragedy arrives. He has made his choice and will have to face consequences.
But even at this late date Mishlei adds a postscript, reminding the reader that he has an opportunity to listen to the voice of Wisdom and change his life. Then instead of a tragic consequence he will be blessed with happiness in this world and the next.
כז = בְּבֹא כשאוה כְשׁוֹאָה פַּחְדְּכֶם וְאֵידְכֶם כְּסוּפָה יֶאֱתֶה בְּבֹא
עֲלֵיכֶם צָרָה וְצוּקָה
כח = אָז יִקְרָאֻנְנִי וְלֹא אֶעֱנֶה יְשַׁחֲרֻנְנִי וְלֹא יִמְצָאֻנְנִי
כט = תַּחַת כִּי שָׂנְאוּ דָעַת וְיִרְאַת ה’ לֹא בָחָרוּ
ל = לֹא אָבוּ לַעֲצָתִי נָאֲצוּ כָּל תּוֹכַחְתִּי
לא = וְיֹאכְלוּ מִפְּרִי דַרְכָּם וּמִמֹּעֲצֹתֵיהֶם יִשְׂבָּעוּ
לב = כִּי מְשׁוּבַת פְּתָיִם תַּהַרְגֵם וְשַׁלְוַת כְּסִילִים תְּאַבְּדֵם
לג = וְשֹׁמֵעַ לִי יִשְׁכָּן בֶּטַח וְשַׁאֲנַן מִפַּחַד רָעָה: פ
(27) Wisdom continues: “When your fear arrives like a sudden darkness and tragedy strikes like a tornado, when trouble and torment come upon you,
(28) then they will call me, but I will not answer. They will search for me, but they will not find me, (29) because they hated moral knowledge and they failed to choose the fear of Hashem. (30) They did not want my advice; they spurned all my admonitions. (31) They will eat of the fruit of their path. And they will have their fill of their own counsels. (32) For the unrestrained life of the simple-minded will do them in and the self-satisfaction of fools will destroy them. (33) But whoever listens to me will live in confident serenity, undisturbed by the fear of tragedy.”
Learning Mishlei
INTRODUCTION.
כ = חָכְמוֹת בַּחוּץ תָּרֹנָּה בָּרְחֹבוֹת תִּתֵּן קוֹלָהּ
The Torah’s Wisdom — חָכְמוֹת
proclaims its message in the street— בַּחוּץ תָּרֹנָּה
so that everyone can hear.
In the town squares — בָּרְחֹבוֹת
ִּwhere people gather to conduct business
it raises its voice —תִּתֵּן קוֹלָהּ.
כא = בְּרֹאשׁ הֹמִיּוֹת תִּקְרָא בְּפִתְחֵי שְׁעָרִים בָּעִיר אֲמָרֶיהָ תֹאמֵר
And at the head of the noisy markets — בְּרֹאשׁ הֹמִיּוֹת,
that is where Wisdom calls out its teachings — תִּקְרָא.
Also, at the entrances to the city gates — בְּפִתְחֵי שְׁעָרִים,
where the elders sit to settle disputes,
and everywhere else in the city — בָּעִיר,
Wisdom speaks its words — אֲמָרֶיהָ תֹאמֵר
to all who will listen.
IGNORANCE.
כב = עַד מָתַי פְּתָיִם תְּאֵהֲבוּ פֶתִי
Wisdom is speaking: You simple-minded people — פְּתָיִם
who are vulnerable to the attractions of “modern” culture,
how long — עַד מָתַי
will you be devoted to mindless distractions? — תְּאֵהֲבוּ פֶתִי
וְלֵצִים לָצוֹן חָמְדוּ לָהֶם
How long will self-styled comedians — וְלֵצִים
delight in teasing each other — לָצוֹן חָמְדוּ לָהֶם
and finding something to laugh about in every serious situation?
וּכְסִילִים יִשְׂנְאוּ דָעַת
How long, will fools — וּכְסִילִים
hate knowledge — יִשְׂנְאוּ דָעַת
because learning Torah doesn’t give them the pleasure that others find in it ?
כג = תָּשׁוּבוּ לְתוֹכַחְתִּי
To each of you I say: How long will it be before you
turn back — תָּשׁוּבוּ
from your foolish attitude and pay serious attention
to my rebuke — לְתוֹכַחְתִּי ?
הִנֵּה אַבִּיעָה לָכֶם רוּחִי אוֹדִיעָה דְבָרַי אֶתְכֶם
Listen here — הִנֵּה!
If you will open your mind, I will impart my spirit to you— אַבִּיעָה לָכֶם רוּחִי.
You will then be able to focus your mind on acquiring knowledge. If you do this,
I will make my words known to you — אוֹדִיעָה דְבָרַי אֶתְכֶם
so that you will be able to remember what you have learned. Once you have gained some knowledge, you can build on that and you will see the sweetness in how it all fits together.
REJECTION.
כד = יַעַן קָרָאתִי וַתְּמָאֵנוּ
The time has come to remind that you that because — יַעַן
you rejected me you will have to suffer the cost of your ignorance.
Remember that I called you — קָרָאתִי
to listen to my guidance when I was close to you, but you refused — וַתְּמָאֵנוּ.
Instead, you distanced yourself from me so that you could no longer hear my voice.
נָטִיתִי יָדִי וְאֵין מַקְשִׁיב
Even so you could still see me from the distance and so
I motioned to you with my hand — נָטִיתִי יָדִי .
But tragically, you pretended not to see me
and so there was no one to pay attention — וְאֵין מַקְשִׁיב .
כה = וַתִּפְרְעוּ כָל עֲצָתִי וְתוֹכַחְתִּי לֹא אֲבִיתֶם
You rejected all my helpful advice — וַתִּפְרְעוּ כָל עֲצָתִי
and you did not want to listen to my rebuke — וְתוֹכַחְתִּי לֹא אֲבִיתֶם.
You treated me like a troublesome stranger interfering with your life.
RUDE AWAKENING
כו = גַּם אֲנִי בְּאֵידְכֶם אֶשְׂחָק
You treated me badly and rejected my heartfelt advice
because you preferred your illusions. I, too — גַּם אֲנִי,
will act sharply in the hope that you will come to your senses.
When your misfortune strikes — בְּאֵידְכֶם ,
I will laugh at you — אֶשְׂחָק
so that you realize how foolish you are.
CONSEQUENCES.
כז = בְּבֹא כְשׁוֹאָה פַּחְדְּכֶם וְאֵידְכֶם כְּסוּפָה יֶאֱתֶה בְּבֹא עֲלֵיכֶם צָרָה וְצוּקָה
As long as things continue to go well for you, you enjoy your pleasures and disregard the need for the wisdom of Torah in your life. But you must know that there will come a time when things go wrong.
When your unseen fear arrives like a sudden darkness — בְּבֹא כְשׁוֹאָה פַּחְדְּכֶם and tragedy strikes you like a tornado — וְאֵידְכֶם כְּסוּפָה יֶאֱתֶה,
when trouble and torment come upon you — בְּבֹא עֲלֵיכֶם צָרָה וְצוּקָה,
then you will be forced to pay the consequences of your foolishness.
כח = אָז יִקְרָאֻנְנִי וְלֹא אֶעֱנֶה יְשַׁחֲרֻנְנִי וְלֹא יִמְצָאֻנְנִי
When that tragic day comes, all those who have neglected wisdom will know that they waited too long. Then they will call me אָז יִקְרָאֻנְנִי to help them with advice and sympathy, hoping that I am still nearby and can hear them, but I will not be able to answer — וְלֹא אֶעֱנֶה because they have moved too far from me. When they realize I am out of hearing range, they will start to search for me — יְשַׁחֲרֻנְנִי, but they will not find me — וְלֹא יִמְצָאֻנְנִי.
כט = תַּחַת כִּי שָׂנְאוּ דָעַת וְיִרְאַת ה’ לֹא בָחָרוּ
Because they hated moral knowledge — תַּחַת כִּי שָׂנְאוּ דָעַת
they forfeited my help. And even though they had every opportunity,
they failed to choose the fear of Hashem — וְיִרְאַת ה’ לֹא בָחָרוּ.
ל = לֹא אָבוּ לַעֲצָתִי נָאֲצוּ כָּל תּוֹכַחְתִּי
They did not want my advice — לֹא אָבוּ לַעֲצָתִי about avoiding bad influences; they spurned all my admonitions — נָאֲצוּ כָּל תּוֹכַחְתִּי about their failure to acquire wisdom.
לא = וְיֹאכְלוּ מִפְּרִי דַרְכָּם וּמִמֹּעֲצֹתֵיהֶם יִשְׂבָּעוּ
They will eat of the bitter fruit of their path in life — וְיֹאכְלוּ מִפְּרִי דַרְכָּם ,
a path which they thought would give them only pleasure. Instead of the sweetness of Torah wisdom they will have the bitterness of fear. And they will have
their fill of the bitter fruit of their own counsels — וּמִמֹּעֲצֹתֵיהֶם יִשְׂבָּעוּ
since they refused to listen to my advice. Instead they acted upon their own twisted thinking and this will lead to ultimate tragedy.
לב = כִּי מְשׁוּבַת פְּתָיִם תַּהַרְגֵם וְשַׁלְוַת כְּסִילִים תְּאַבְּדֵם
For the unrestrained life of the simple-minded — כִּי מְשׁוּבַת פְּתָיִם
will do them in —תַּהַרְגֵם .
Their disregard of consequences will lead them along the path of destructive
influences. And the complacent self-satisfaction of fools, — וְשַׁלְוַת כְּסִילִים
who are misled by their initial success, will ultimately destroy them —תְּאַבְּדֵם
because their apparent prosperity will turn to tragedy.
לג = וְשֹׁמֵעַ לִי יִשְׁכָּן בֶּטַח וְשַׁאֲנַן מִפַּחַד רָעָה
But whoever listens to me — וְשֹׁמֵעַ לִי
to follow the path of the Torah and accept its wisdom
will live in confident serenity — יִשְׁכָּן בֶּטַח
undisturbed by the paralyzing fear of mpending tragedy — וְשַׁאֲנַן מִפַּחַד רָעָה , even when he sees disaster striking elsewhere in the world.
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