Tafsiran yang Mengutip untuk Amsal 15:16

What appears most correct to me in explaining this is that the earth always appears as if it has opened its mouth to swallow everything, as it is said, Three things are never satisfied: the grave, the barren womb, etc. (Proverbs 30:15-16). And as it is said, Therefore the grave has enlarged itself and opened its mouth without measure, etc. (Isaiah 5:14). From all this, there is proof that the earth’s mouth is always open to swallow, and one who places something in its mouth appears to be flattering it. This can be said about murderers who spill innocent blood, for through this blood they flatter the earth by giving it something to swallow in its mouth. Correspondingly, the earth also flatters them by giving to those who are unworthy all their needs that come from the ground. These are two things: (1) all food that is eaten and other human needs that come from the earth, and (2) the dwelling place and rest available to those who live upon it. Therefore, for future generations, the earth can only be atoned through the blood of the murderer, so that they won’t say that both are flattering each other — the wicked giving something for its mouth to swallow, and the earth flattering them by providing for their needs. The earth requires atonement for the small benefit that the murderer received from the earth before he was killed, because it was not rightfully given to him. However, in this case, for the sake of populating the world, Cain was not killed. If so, how does the earth escape suspicion that they’re not mutually flattering each other, and why doesn’t it need atonement? Rather, it’s because it fulfilled its Creator’s will who said, When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. You shall be a wanderer and a nomad on the earth (Genesis 4:12). For once you committed this act, the earth comes with authorization and claims from you your brother’s blood, whose voice cries out to Me from the ground. It too will execute judgment against you by no longer providing you with the two benefits available to all who dwell upon it: all necessities [about which He said it shall no longer yield its strength to you] and dwelling and rest [about which He said you shall be a wanderer and nomad on the earth]. No place will want to accept you. Through this, the earth escapes the suspicion of flattery because it will not flatter you, and therefore it also doesn’t need atonement. However, to go back and kill you now is impossible because of the need to populate the world, as Adam had no other son at that time.

ונתן לי לחם לאכול ובגד ללבוש, “and He will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear, etc.” This is what the righteous ask of G’d. They are only allowed to pray for necessities, the definition being things which a human being cannot do without. We are all aware that man has a tendency to ask for things which he could do well without and these are the very things which are liable to cause him problems, confusion, aggravations. This is why it befits a truly G’d-fearing individual to practice the advice of our sages (Avot 4,1) that the truly wealthy person is he who enjoys the portion G’d has allotted to him. Solomon expressed the same sentiment when he said (Proverbs 15,16) “better a little with fear of the Lord, than a great treasure with trouble.” Solomon immediately provides an illustration of what he means when he said in verse 17 of the same chapter: “better a meal of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened ox where there is hate.”

טוב מעט ביראת ה' מאוצר רב ומהומה בו. טוב ארוחת ירק ואהבה שם משור אבוס ושנאה בו, “Better a little with fear of the Lord, than a great treasure with trouble. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened ox where there is hate.” (Proverbs 15, 16-17).