We continue our series on family life through the lenses of Mishlei and the wisdom of Shlomo HaMelech alav hashalom (peace be upon him). Today, we will be discussing a Pasuk (verse) in Perek (chapter) Tet Vav (15), Pasuk Kaf Gimel (23). Shlomo HaMelech says, “Simcha la'ish bema'aneh fiv, ve'davar be'ito mah tov,” which means: Simcha la'ish bema'aneh fiv. A man has happiness and joy through the reply of his mouth. Ve'davar be'ito mah tov. And how good is a word in its right moment, in its right time.
We are going to explain this Pasuk in two very, very similar ways, but slightly different. One way we are going to explain this Pasuk is the following. Simcha la'ish bema'aneh fiv: A person brings happiness and joy to himself through the way he talks, through the way his mouth replies to things. If a person's mouth speaks positively, if a person talks about happy things, good things, things that bring joy, this is what will bring him Simcha. Simcha la'ish. Happiness to a person comes from the way he speaks. He talks positively, he'll feel positive. He talks in a happy way, he will feel happy. He talks with joy, he will feel joy and happiness. This is what Shlomo HaMelech is teaching us over here: that Simcha la'ish, the way a person brings happiness to himself, is based on and dependent on the way he speaks. If he talks in a happy way, he will feel happy.
Ve'davar be'ito mah tov. And a word in its right time—how beautiful and how good it is. A person is sometimes down and feels that he needs words of encouragement to strengthen himself, inspire him, and lift his spirits. He can do that for himself. Ve'davar be'ito mah tov. Give yourself words of encouragement at the right time, the time that you feel you need it most. Talk to yourself. Be a therapist for yourself. Talk to yourself, and bring out the happiness that you so much need. Bring it out for yourself from within yourself. Ve'davar be'ito mah tov. Give yourself the right word at the right moment, in the right time. The word of Chizuk (encouragement) that you need, give it to yourself at the right moment to give yourself the encouragement that you need. This is one way we can learn this Pasuk.
But we are going to learn this Pasuk in a very, very similar way, but this time not referring to oneself, but referring to another person. Simcha la'ish. If you want to bring joy to another person, to your friend, you know how you do that? Bema'aneh fiv: with your words. A person could take his friend's hard day—a person who sees his friend going through a difficult time and needing some joy, needing some words of encouragement. Simcha la'ish: the way you bring joy to another person, to your friend, is bema'aneh fiv, with what you tell him. The words that you choose to inspire him, the words that you give him to lift his spirits, will bring him joy. And the right word at the right moment, when your friend really needs it—how beautiful and how precious it is for your friend to give him that right word at the right time, when he really, really needs it.
So Shlomo HaMelech has taught us the following: Simcha la'ish—happiness to oneself and happiness to others—comes about bema'aneh fiv, in the words that are on a person's tongue. A person's positive words will make him feel positive. A person who gives over words of positivity and encouragement to others will make others feel positive. He'll make them feel encouraged and lift their spirits. Ve'davar be'ito, the right word at the right moment, whether it's for yourself or for others, mah tov. How beautiful and how precious that word is at the right time. Have a wonderful day.