Mishlei Perek 12

Welcome everybody to NachDaily, covering the entire Tanach one perek at a time. Today we’re learning Mishlei, perek 12. The perek opens with the words, “Ohev mussar, ohev da’as, v’soneh tochachas ba’ar - One who loves moral instruction loves knowledge, but one who hates rebuke is a boor.” Accepting constructive criticism can be very difficult for many, as it's not always easy to hear mussar and focus on our shortcomings. Let’s focus for a moment on the person giving the mussar and rebuke. So many times, constructive criticism is given over in the wrong way, which can cause the other person to become defensive and may even exacerbate the problem. Rebbe Nachman compares this to a person poking a bag of excrement. Sometimes the smell has settled but comes out even stronger when poked and prodded. So too, giving rebuke in the wrong way can cause a considerable amount of damage. The inverse is true as well. We all contain a re’ach of Gan Eden, a fragrance of Gan Eden. A person who gives proper mussar and rebuke to others can increase their good fragrance, leading to inner strength, courage, and the resolve to mend their ways. Moving on in the chapter, Shlomo Hamelech contrasts the behavior of the righteous with that of the wicked. Good people use their words to build others up, don't bend the truth, have a pure heart, can face themselves, and are humble and kind. They live satisfied, fulfilling lives. Reshaim, evil people, use their words to create divisiveness, tear people down,