My weekly Sunday morning class is called “Mishlei” in Hebrew, “Proverbs” in English. I find the class fascinating. The teacher is motivated, unusually intelligent, and speaks in an animated manner. I am amazed at how deep each weekly abstruse two-sentence proverb is, how the Torah commentators, from King Solomon in about 900 BCE to the 20th century, were able to give meaning to each proverb. There are 31 chapters, and 915 verses (Proverbs).
Last Sunday I asked the teacher if he would kindly email me the chapter and verse of the proverb he would be discussing next week. I just received that email, and quickly went to my Mishlei book, to the Internet, and I began reading.
I do not usually make comments in my Proverbs class, but next Sunday I hope to contribute information I expect to glean from reading about the Proverb of the week, Mishlei 12:25. In English, the proverb can be translated:
When there is worry in a man’s heart, he should suppress it,
and let a good thing convert it to gladness.
Even before I do more research, let’s see what famous Torah commentators have to say about the proverb [taken from the ArtScroll Series book, Mishlei]. Finally, I will add personal comments. It will be interesting to see what emphases and interpretations of the proverb come out of my class on Sunday morning.
Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi) [1040-1105]: He suggests one should remove worry from his mind by diverting attention from it. If he involves himself in Torah, this will change his worry to happiness. Rashi suggests that it is good if a man’s friend can comfort him and transform his worry into happiness.
David ben Shlomo Ibn Zimra (RADBAZ) (author of Metzudos David) [1480-1573]: He suggests that if a person worries, he should lower and minimize his concern. It is good if one is able to change the worry to gladness by realizing that whatever happens is for the good.
Meir Leibush ben Yechiel Michael (MALBIM) [1809-1879]: He suggests that if a person visualizes worrisome images, his anxiety can become all-encompassing. It can destroy his entire body. Therefore he must take his mind off these worries.
Yonah ben Abraham Gerondi (Rabbenu Yonah) [1200-1263]: He and the Vilna Gaon suggest that the phrase “suppress it” (from the first line of the proverb) refers to the heart. If there is worry in a person’s heart, it lowers his heart.
Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman Kremer (Vilna Gaon) [1720-1797]: He suggests that the “good thing” mentioned in the second line, alludes to the Torah, which he says is the greatest good. He suggests that he who accepts the Torah is relieved of his worries.
Samson Raphael Hirsch [1808-1888]: He suggests that we, as friends of a worried person, can speak an apt word. We can bring him a balm of healing and calm.
Menachem Meiri [1249-1310]: He suggests that, realizing the futility of this world, one neither should rejoice excessively at his successes nor be overly anxious about his failures. One should turn his worry into happiness by reflecting upon, and immersing himself in, the ways of God.
To deal with worry, it seems the commentators believe one should:
Involve oneself in the Torah (Rashi)
Although I do not follow all the laws in the Torah, I am “involving myself” in the Torah by trying to follow certain of the laws, taking classes, learning about the Torah commentators, and living what I believe to be a good life.
Have man’s friend comfort him (Rashi)
My wife is my best friend. When I have a worry, I can tell her about it. She helps to comfort me. For concerns that my wife and I cannot effectively deal with, we seek the advice of a good counselor/psychologist.
Believe whatever happens is for the good (RADBAZ – Metzudos)
I do believe that God has a plan, that things happen for the best. I try to tell myself that there is no worry or fear in me. I trust in God all the time.
Not visualize worrisome images (Malbim)
I understand the power of visual imagery. I have mastered the peg memory system, which relies on the power of exaggerated visual imagery. It allows me to remember up to any of a hundred things in or out of order. If I were to visualize my worries, they would become exaggerated and last for a long time.
Realize that worry can affect the condition of your heart (Rabbenu Yonah)
Worry, it seems to me, can make one feel depressed, i.e., have a heavy (lowered) heart. Another reason not to worry.
Accept the Torah, and relieve yourself of worries (Vilna Gaon)
Yes, if I had complete faith and accepted the entire Torah as the word of God, I believe I would be free of all worries. I believe I would also become a rabbi, or at least a very pious individual. Alas, I am who I am.
Speak an apt word to others. Bring them healing and calm (S. R. Hirsch)
I do speak what I hope are apt words to others when I believe they are in distress or worried. I can hear myself saying, “Everything will be okay. God is looking after you. I will say a prayer for you.”
Immerse oneself in the ways of God (Meiri)
Yes. From childhood, the ways of God included following eight of the 10 Commandments. I did not then understand the commandments not to take God’s name in vain, and to keep the Sabbath day. I believe, too, in what I’ll call the 11th commandment: Do not do to others what you do not want done to you.
Finally, I believe speaking affirmations regularly is analogous to utilizing exaggerated visual imagery. Both are means of reminding ourselves about what is important for us to remember. That is, by saying, “I have no worry or fear in me because I trust in God,” over and over throughout my life, has helped me to transform any incipient worries into the gladness this proverb speaks about. That gladness is the comfort that God is with me.
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com
