I hope that everyone is doing well today. Welcome to NachDaily, covering the entire Tanach one perek at time. Today we’re discussing Mishlei, perek beis.

The chapter opens with Shlomo speaking as if to his child, whom he urges to accept his words and take his advice. You should seek wisdom as you would for silver and hidden treasures. Your search for understanding will bring you to know and fear God.

Shlomo explains that Hashem is the One who grants wisdom, but you must first seek it out. The wisdom of the Torah will shield you from harm’s way.

Passuk 10 says, “Ki tavo chochma b’libecha v’daas lenafshecha yinaam – Wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will delight your soul.” This is really a beautiful thought. By deeply connecting to true chochma, we’ll experience deep levels of noam, pleasure, resonating throughout our being.

The Metsudos explains that once chochma enters into your heart, you’ll be filled with an amazing desire and longing for more knowledge.

The Sifrei Mussar tell us that often a person can know something intellectually, but not take it to heart. Shlomo is teaching us that it’s not enough to merely ‘know’ something. We need to inculcate what our knowledge into the very fiber of our beings.

Rav Yisrael Salanter used to say that the longest distance in the world is the distance between the head and the heart! Yes, they are only a few inches away from each other, but it can take a lifetime for them to connect. It is not enough to be merely intellectual Jews. We need to serve Hashem with passion, desire, great simplicity, sincerity, and happiness.

We cannot be complacent with what we know; we need to be constantly upgrading our knowledge and understanding of life. It is necessary to always re-evaluate our old ideas, searching for the truth and striving to rise to the next level.

Later in the chapter, Shlomo warns us of the “isha zarah, evil female stranger,” who uses her power of speech to place doubts in your mind and lead you away from Torah.

Rashi says that the isha zarah refers to those who can “talk the talk,” but really use their words to be condescending and divert you from truth.

On a different note, this woman will lead to depression, and ultimately to death. It is well known that people who fall into various sins with women often get stuck in a vicious cycle of addiction which wreaks havoc on their personal lives and emotional well-being.

Rebbe Nachman explains that the isha zarah is none other than Lilit trying to bring a person down in the arena of Kedushas Habris. We are aware that so many people struggle in this area. One should never give up, however, no matter what he’s done in life. A person can find the wisdom of God no matter where he is holding.

The perek ends with Shlomo reiterating the value and protection that wisdom affords. It leads to a deeper, more meaningful life, inheriting the land of the righteous, and a good portion in the world to come.

Stay tuned for the next episode of NachDaily. Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.