We are excited today to begin our series on explaining the Pesukim (verses) of Mishlei. Mishlei was written by Shlomo HaMelech, alav hashalom (peace be upon him). As we know, Shlomo HaMelech was the wisest man of his generation. So, as we study the Pesukim of Mishlei, we must keep in mind that although the Pesukim can be understood in their literal sense, in the simple definition of the words, they also allude to much deeper ideas and much deeper concepts. Be'ezrat Hashem, we hope to be able to tap into Shlomo’s wisdom to guide us on many, many topics in life, and to draw and learn many important lessons from his wisdom—lessons that will perfect our character, polish our souls, and make us better people.
I would like to begin with two Pesukim from Mishlei, two Pesukim that are in two different chapters but complement one another beautifully. The first Pasuk (verse) is in Perek (chapter) Yud Zayin (17), Pasuk Kaf Bet (22). Shlomo HaMelech says, “Lev sameach yeitiv geha, ve-ruach neke'ah te'yabesh garem.” This means: Lev sameach, a glad heart, a happy heart; yeitiv geha, is as beneficial as a cure. Ve-ruach neke'ah, but a broken spirit; te'yabesh garem, will wither the bone.
The second Pasuk is in Perek Yud Chet (18), Pasuk Yud Dalet (14). Shlomo HaMelech says, “Ruach ish yechalkel machalehu, ve-ruach neke'ah mi yisa'ena.” This means: ruach ish, a man’s spirit; yechalkel machalehu, will sustain him in his sickness. Ve-ruach neke'ah, but a broken spirit; mi yisa'ena. Who can carry it? Who can support it?
Shlomo HaMelech here is teaching us that happiness of the heart is the greatest cure for the body. When a person is happy, he benefits spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Just like a cure benefits the body, happiness also benefits the entire being. On the contrary, a depressed spirit—a person who has a broken heart, who is down and depressed—has a negative effect on his body, bringing emotional distress to the heart and causing sickness. Therefore, Shlomo HaMelech tells us here, “Lev sameach”: a heart that is happy. “Yeitiv geha”: that is the greatest cure for the body.
Shlomo HaMelech here means that when the body is sick, as he says in the second Pasuk, “Ruach ish yechalkel machalehu”: a person’s spirit has the ability—the ability to cure his sickness. But “ve-ruach neke'ah,” if a person’s spirit is broken, “mi yisa'ena”—who is going to be able to support that body? Who is going to be able to give it the strength to withstand the illness?
In short, Shlomo HaMelech here is teaching us that it is not a healthy body that sustains the spirit. Rather, it is a healthy spirit that supports and sustains the body.
They say about a Holocaust survivor, who suffered in the Holocaust from starvation and many illnesses, and I quote: “I used to think my body kept my soul alive. Then I realized that my soul kept my body alive.” Ever since he became a fighter, as long as we have a healthy heart, we can see that we... “As long as we had the will to live and knew we had something to live for, our chances were infinitely better than those of the people who gave up hope.”
You know, Rav Hirsch says that the word sameach, which means to be happy, and the word tzomeach, which means to flourish, are similar. They sound the same, and the letters also seem to be very close to one another, and he says there must be a connection between them. And what is the connection? Sameach means to be happy. Tzomeach means to flourish. In order for a person to be tzomeach, in order for his body to flourish, his heart must be sameach. His heart must be happy and joyful.
So Shlomo HaMelech has taught us a most important and fundamental principle: it is not the body that sustains the spirit. Rather, it is the spirit that supports the body. Therefore, Shlomo HaMelech says, each person must try to bring his heart to be a heart that is happy and joyful, Lev sameach, and try to bring his spirits to be uplifted, happy, and joyful. With that, he will merit having a body that is healthy and well. Have a wonderful day.