Mishlei Perek 11

Welcome everybody to Nachdaily, covering the entire Tanach one perek at a time. Today we’re learning Mishlei Perek 11. Similar in style to the previous perek, this chapter contains verses that contrast each other with good and bad. Shlomo Hamelech tells us that false scales are disgusting to Hashem, but proper ones are pleasing. As it says in the first passuk, “Moznei mirma to’avas Hashem v’even sh’laimah r’tzono, False scales are an abomination to God, but a full weight is pleasing to Him.” It should be noted that it's actually an issur, forbidden in the Torah, to use or own inaccurate scales. The Sefer Hachinuch counts using proper scales as Mitzva 259. The Vilna Gaon warns us that we shouldn't be lenient with ourselves while judging other people strictly. All too often we hold a double standard for ourselves vis-a-vis other people. We’re quick to use our scales of judgment to weigh in on other people’s behaviors before looking inwards and weighing ourselves. Rebbe Nachman explains that first we need to search out the good in all people, seeking to find even a smidgen of something favorable in them. Only after having done that can we turn the lenses inwards to search for the good in ourselves. The Gaon continues to caution us to look at the world in a balanced manner. We shouldn't take the leniencies of Beis Hillel or Beis Shammai nor their chumras, strictness, but seek the middle road. The famous Rambam in the beginning of Sh’moneh Perakim advises us to take that middle ro