March 27, 2019 · 00:04:01
Welcome everybody, to Nachdaily, covering the entire Tanach one perek at a time. Today we’re learning Mishlei, perek 10. Chapters one through 9 are considered one unit. We now begin the second section. The primary theme of the previous chapters was our obligation to obtain wisdom, understanding, and insight throughout our lives. Those chapters explained the value and many benefits that wisdom brings, and how leading a life based on Torah values and wisdom will lead to true fulfillment in this world and immense pleasure for all of eternity in the next world. The second section goes from perekim 10 through 24, and primarily teaches mussar. It speaks about the value of working on our character, staying true to what we know to be right and conducting ourselves in a proper manner. While there are overall topical themes to each chapter, most of the pessukim contrast opposites with each other. They speak about the value of walking in the proper path and the pitfalls of leading a life of ill repute. It should be obvious that Mishlei begins with the value of wisdom and then moves on to “tikkun hamidos,” correcting our moral characteristics, because our entire lives will be oriented around whatever we value as essential. When we understand, therefore, how much we need to obtain chochma, bina and daas, our actions will hopefully follow our minds. The primary theme of the perek is the way that the intelligent, wise son brings happiness to his parents, works during the proper time, gives