Questions tagged [mishlei]

the book of Mishlei (Proverbs)

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
3 votes
1 answer
41 views

Is there anyplace online where I can find the te'amim for Iyov, Mishlei, and Tehillim?

Is there anyplace online where I can find a reliable recording for the te'amim for Iyov, Mishlei, and Tehillim?
eliezer's user avatar
  • 93
0 votes
1 answer
28 views

Proverbs 17:9 confusion on the alienation of friends

"He who seeks love overlooks faults, But he who harps on a matter alienates his friend" - Proverbs 17:9 What does this verse mean exactly? I take it as those who love one tend over look ...
naarter's user avatar
  • 110
0 votes
0 answers
31 views

In what sense "the wicked are ransom for the righteous" Proverb 21:18?

WEB Prov 21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright. כֹּ֣פֶר»[shall be] a ransom לַצַּדִּ֣יק»for the righteous רָשָׁ֑ע»The wicked וְתַ֖חַת»the place יְשָׁרִ֣ים»...
Michael16's user avatar
  • 313
1 vote
2 answers
146 views

Is the pursuit of chokhmah something that can only be done for one’s own sake (and not Heaven’s)?

Shalom. A simple question: In Mishlei (9:12) it is written that one who has become wise has become wise for their own sake or for their own good. Does this imply that one cannot be wise for the sake ...
Tom W's user avatar
  • 1,376
0 votes
1 answer
43 views

Looking for mussar on not thinking oneself wise

Shalom. Mishlei makes clear that one should not think oneself wise and that it is very dangerous to do so. From what I can see (from Mishlei 26:16), diligence is one way - the only way? - of ...
Tom W's user avatar
  • 1,376
0 votes
0 answers
42 views

Are the commandments in Mishlei Torah she-baal peh that was later written down?

Shalom. I have for a long time been confused about what exactly Sefer Mishlei is. Were the commandments in this book - 'Acquire Chokhmah' / 'Get discernment' etc. - revealed to Moshe at Har-Sinai? ...
Tom W's user avatar
  • 1,376
0 votes
1 answer
49 views

Enigmatic interpretation of Mishlei 4:23 - "More than all that you guard, guard your heart, For it is the source of life."

Mishlei 4:23: מִֽכׇּל־מִ֭שְׁמָר נְצֹ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ כִּֽי־מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ תּוֹצְא֥וֹת חַיִּֽים׃ More than all that you guard, guard your heart*, For it is the source of life. The basic understanding of this ...
Rabbi Kaii's user avatar
  • 7,202
1 vote
0 answers
73 views

Meaning of the word בר in Proverbs 31:2

I'm a ben Noach. I was studying the use of the word בר in the Mishlei Shlomoh and I noticed that many important translations translate Proverbs 31:2 as follows: "What, my son? and what, son of ...
Pier's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
2 answers
487 views

Why is Proverbs 22:6 omitted in the Septuagint?

Why is Proverbs 22:6 omitted in the Septuagint? I don't see anything offensive about Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.&...
ninamag's user avatar
  • 43
4 votes
2 answers
113 views

Can anyone recommend a peirush on the peirush haGra on Sefer Mishlei?

I sat in a weekly shiur on the peirush haGra on Mishlei for years and I took out a tremendous amount - my Rosh Yeshiva gave over many deep yesodos of life but I found it was very hard to pick up a ...
Shaul's user avatar
  • 383
1 vote
1 answer
182 views

Is Chokhmah Inquiry?

Shalom. I am seeking chokhmah and having difficulty (for my sins - Mishlei 1:24-26). My question is: is chokhmah inquiry? In other words, is it the pursuit of answers to questions in one’s heart, ...
Tom W's user avatar
  • 1,376
2 votes
0 answers
42 views

The difference between Reisheet and T'chilat

I am trying to understand the difference between the initial words in the following p'sukim: Mishlei 9:10 תְּחִלַּ֣ת חׇ֭כְמָה יִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וְדַ֖עַת קְדֹשִׁ֣ים בִּינָֽה and Tehillim 111:10 ...
rosends's user avatar
  • 37.8k
0 votes
0 answers
48 views

Does the scope of "נערה/Naarah" used in Mishle/Proverbs 31 include wives and/or concubines?

In Mishlei/Proverbs 31:15 it states: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens. וַתָּקָם, בְּעוֹד לַיְלָה--וַתִּתֵּן טֶרֶף לְבֵיתָהּ; ...
יהודה's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
107 views

Based on Mishlei 11:30 - Was the עֵ֤ץ הַֽחַיִּים֙ Ets HaChayim in Bereishit 2:9 a Tsadiq?

In Proverbs 11:30, we read an interesting statement regarding a Tsadiq's fruit being the Tree of Life. Proverbs | Mishlei 11:30 states : פְּֽרִי־צַ֖דִּיק עֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים The fruit of a righteous man is ...
חִידָה's user avatar
  • 1,378
2 votes
2 answers
100 views

Is Mishlei 16:4 saying that Man does not have free-will / freedom of choice?

Shalom. My JPS English Tanakh translates Mishlei 16:4 as 'The LORD made everything for a purpose, even the wicked for an evil day'. This rendering implies (to me) that the wicked were made wicked, ...
Tom W's user avatar
  • 1,376
2 votes
1 answer
147 views

Where can I get Malbim on Mishley in English?

I am trying to find "Malbim on Mishley: The Commentary of Rabbi Meir Leibush Malbim on the Book of Proverbs". The book seems to be out of stock. I cannot even find a used version. Any ideas ...
glaucon's user avatar
  • 121
1 vote
1 answer
641 views

Why is sleep spelled with an aleph in Tehillim 127?

In Tehillim 127:2, the author spells the word for sleep as שנא: Source: Wikisource I found this unusual, as the word is usually spelled שנה in Tanach (Tehillim 90:5, Mishlei 6:4, and Mishlei 20:13). ...
DonielF's user avatar
  • 34.1k
5 votes
1 answer
121 views

Where is the first time that Tehillim, Mishlei, Iyov are referred to as ספרי אמ"ת?

The books of Tehillim, Mishlei, Iyov are often referred as ספרי אמ"ת. Where is the first source making this reference?
Renato S. Grun's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
584 views

No atonement for adultery without punishment?

If I understand correctly, proper teshuva for sins between man and G-d removes punishment (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:9): Neither repentance nor the Day of Atonement atone for any save for sins committed ...
Dan Weisberg's user avatar
  • 1,175
6 votes
1 answer
134 views

Grammatical difficulty in root אשר (happy)

The root אשר seems to act weirdly in relation to number. On the one hand, it takes on plural morphology in situations that are clearly singular, here in the form of a plural (const.) noun (...
Joshua's user avatar
  • 141
3 votes
2 answers
344 views

Eshet Chayil in the Tunisian service

I was in a Tunisian-custom synagogue recently. As many synagogues do, it had signs hanging on the walls containing texts that people will often need to say while not holding a prayer book (a generic ...
msh210's user avatar
  • 73.7k
2 votes
1 answer
166 views

What is the meaning of "וְדַעַת קְדֹשִׁים בִּינָה"?

The book of Mishlei contains deep wisdom with many layers of meaning which is often hard to grasp. Fortunately, such great commentators as Rashi provide clear explanations of the true meaning. However,...
Dan Weisberg's user avatar
  • 1,175
1 vote
0 answers
47 views

Change of the heart

In some places (like Mishlei 3:3 and 7:3) our hearts are compared to luchot (tablets) on which one should inscribe the words of HaShem. In another places our hearts should be circumcised: Devarim 10:...
Levi's user avatar
  • 7,328
2 votes
1 answer
171 views

Is there a way to lein Taamei Emes that includes mesharsim?

I learned to lein Taamei Emes a few years ago using this link, which I found in a comment here on MY. However, the tradition recorded there only takes the mafsikim into account, and all the mesharsim,...
Heshy's user avatar
  • 9,116
5 votes
1 answer
193 views

Comparing the Heart and Luchot

I was reading in Mishlei (3:3, 7:3) the other day and noticed that our hearts are sometimes compared to tablets, and that on it the Words of HaShem should be inscribed. This reminded me of Yirmiyahu ...
Levi's user avatar
  • 7,328
2 votes
3 answers
193 views

Small Dalet in Mishlei (Proverbs) 28:17

In Mishlei (Proverbs) 28:17, the letter dalet is small in the word "adam". Why is this?
ezra's user avatar
  • 18.5k
3 votes
1 answer
61 views

Does Mishlei not see the good in being a Guarantor for a Gemach loan?

Mishlei 22 (26, 27) says אַל־תְּהִ֥י בְתֹֽקְעֵי־כָ֑ף בַּ֝עֹרְבִ֗ים מַשָּׁאֽוֹת׃ אִם־אֵֽין־לְךָ֥ לְשַׁלֵּ֑ם לָ֥מָּה יִקַּ֥ח מִ֝שְׁכָּבְךָ֗ מִתַּחְתֶּֽיךָ׃ Do not be one of those who ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
43 views

Difference between Mishlei 11:13 and 20:19

Mishlei (proverbs) 11:13: הוֹלֵ֣ךְ רָ֭כִיל מְגַלֶּה־סּ֑וֹד וְנֶאֱמַן־ר֝֗וּחַ מְכַסֶּ֥ה דָבָֽר׃ A base fellow gives away secrets, But a trustworthy soul keeps a confidence. Mishlei (proverbs) 20:19: ...
RibbisRabbiAndMore's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
107 views

Two roots applied to the same verses

I was looking up the word להורות on the pealim.com website, from the root ירה. And it gave all kinds of conjugations. But it also gave some related words one of those was: הוראה. Both seem to have to ...
Levi's user avatar
  • 7,328
3 votes
1 answer
100 views

Mishlei Proverbs 16:4

I found some different translations of Mishlei 16:4. On the chabad.org website it is translated as: 'The Lord made everything for His praise - even the wicked man for the day of evil' While the ...
Levi's user avatar
  • 7,328
4 votes
2 answers
295 views

(Why) Does Mishlei 25:23 say that "the north wind begets rain"?

A relative of mine who works in the aviation and meteorology industry is grappling with the pasuk in Mishlei 25:23, which reads: "As the north wind begets rain, so a backbiting tongue [begets] an ...
Qoheles's user avatar
  • 351
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

Proverbs 8:22-31. Woman Wisdom personified or actual being?

In Proverbs 8:22-31, a figure known as "Woman Wisdom" is described as being present when G-d was creating the world. Obviously, "Woman Wisdom" serves as a great personification to teach about the ...
Butterfly and Bones's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
161 views

What's special about grasshoppers?

Why do the spies compare themselves to grasshoppers Bamidbor 13 (33) we saw the Nephilim there—the Anakites are part of the Nephilim—and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
204 views

As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. pedagogic Talmud Torah

The Gemara in Yebamot 117 tries to explain the reciprocity of sentiment between a mother-in-law (X) and her daughter-in-law (Y). As an illustration of this phenomenon, the Gemara quotes a verse in ...
kouty's user avatar
  • 22.7k
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

For a righteous man can fall seven times and rise - why seven?

Shelomo HaMelekh (King Solomon) famously wrote in Mishle'i 24:16 (Proverbs): כִּי שֶׁבַע יִפּוֹל צַדִּיק וָקָם וּרְשָׁעִים יִכָּשְׁלוּ בְרָעָה For a righteous man can fall seven times and rise, but ...
Lee's user avatar
  • 7,423
1 vote
2 answers
121 views

"'Uf" is Torah?

Mishlei (Proverbs) 23:5 states: הֲתָעִיף עֵינֶיךָ בּוֹ וְאֵינֶנּוּ כִּי עָשֹה יַעֲשֶׂה לּוֹ כְנָפַיִם כְּנֶשֶׁר וָעיּף יָעוּף הַשָּׁמָיִם Should you blink your eyes at it, it is not here; for it will ...
Lee's user avatar
  • 7,423
3 votes
2 answers
145 views

Order of כִּי נֵר מִצְוָה וְתוֹרָה אוֹר

Mishlei 6:23 says כִּי נֵר מִצְוָה וְתוֹרָה אוֹר. By the Mitzva it first says Ner and then Mitzva, however by the Torah it first says Torah and then Or. Why is there a change in the order, why not ...
Gershon Gold's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
82 views

strength to women

It says in Mishlei 31:3, "Do not give your strength to women." What does this mean?
Chiddushei Torah's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Source for "אין שמחה כשמחת התרת הספקות"

Some people in my synagogue this morning were discussing the aphorism אין שמחה כשמחת התרת הספקות there's no joy like the joy of the resolution of doubts or words to that effect. Specifically, ...
msh210's user avatar
  • 73.7k
1 vote
1 answer
751 views

Difference Natzar and Shamar?

What is the difference between נצר natzar (keep, gaurd, watch, preserve) and שמר shamar? Their meaning looks so similar that I would like to know what makes the difference between these two. (For ...
Levi's user avatar
  • 7,328
0 votes
2 answers
166 views

Reference to Moshiach in Proverbs Chapter 8? [closed]

I've been reading about Moshiach for about a year. Then the other day, I read the above 9 lines (Proverbs 8:22-31). It seems like Wisdom is saying what people are pouring over Isaiah, etc, looking ...
ruthgeller's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
365 views

1st century Hellenistic Jewish interpretation of Proverbs 8:22( LXX)?

Proverbs 8:22 says that Wisdom is created by God. If so, is God without wisdom before he created wisdom? Other Jewish texts ( though uninspired),also talks about God's wisdom as created by God. I ...
R. Brown's user avatar
  • 121
3 votes
1 answer
213 views

How should one answer a fool asking about Torah matters?

My question comes from Shabbat 30b (Koren Talmud Bavli). Two contradictory proverbs are mentioned: Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Proverbs 26:...
Mariana R.'s user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
149 views

Why reverse Mishle verses' order?

When putting the Torah scroll back in its cabinet, we — at least most Ashk'nazim — say (among other things) "עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ וְתֹמְכֶיהָ מְאֻשָּׁר. דְּרָכֶיהָ דַרְכֵי ...
msh210's user avatar
  • 73.7k
10 votes
7 answers
358 views

What's her husband doing at the gates in the middle of her song?

Eishes Chayil is a song sung traditionally on Friday nights. It's the last 22 verses of Mishlei/Proverbs. It speaks about a "Woman of Valor", and literally does nothing but sing her praises. ...
HodofHod's user avatar
  • 21k
8 votes
2 answers
227 views

Do we care or do we not care about beauty?

Rashi Breishis 23:1 says that when Sarah was 20 she was beautiful as when she was 7. Mishlei 31:30 says שקר החן והבל היפי אשה יראת ה' היא תתהלל. Why is Rashi saying that Sarah was beautiful if it is ...
Gershon Gold's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
202 views

Difference between Yegiah and Hipus

The Gemara in Megila 6b says that if someone tells you that they understood a piece of Torah and they didn't work hard for it you shouldn't believe them. The Ramha"l says in the Hakdama to his magnum ...
Hacham Gabriel's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
263 views

Please clarify Mishlei 24:21 regarding mingling with dualists

Mishlei 24:21 "My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not mingle with dualists" source (1) please define "dualist" from the perspective of Judaism. If it is "someone who believes/practices dualism" ...
Sam's user avatar
  • 489
18 votes
1 answer
693 views

Why do Sifrei Emes use different taamim?

I know that the Sifrei Emes (Tehillim, Mishlei, Iyov) use a different system of taamim. Why is this? What is it about these books that makes it that they cannot — or should not — use the ...
jake's user avatar
  • 28.5k
3 votes
1 answer
136 views

Aishes Chayil double talk

Why do we say "He Tishalell":She Shall Be Praised if we can just say "Isha Yiras Hashem Tishallel": Woman who fears is Praise worthy what does the extra specification of "HE"(she) add?
simchastorah's user avatar
  • 9,041