Quotation к Мишлей 8:37

3. The first introduction in the matters of the kings memorialized in this book and it appropriate that we discuss ten topics: The first topic is the ??? according to their dates. For of the kings mentioned in these books, only a few ruled the whole nations: Shual, David, and Solomon who reigned over all the tribes united. You will see that all three were Men of Valor, G-d fearing and Men of Truth. As I explained in the Book of Samuel that the reigns summed to 100 years, keep this memory aid to hand (Kings 1, 20:31) "Magnanimous kings are they" for 'Melchi' adds to 100. These kings were unique in reigning over all the tribes without divisions because once the kingdom was divided in the days of Rechavem and Yeravam. King Rechavam and all the progeny of House of David ruled over the tribes of Yehuda and Binyamin, majority of the tribe of Levi and the fraction of the tribe of Shimon whose patrimony was amid the patrimony of the sons of Yehuda. You will see in their stories, which of them walked in peace and wealth along the path of their father, David and which among them ?betrayed? G-d and went wayward to serve other gods. The length of the reign of the Kings of Judah, good and bad, was 393 years. A hint to this (Proverbs 15:3) "The eyes of G-d observe both bad and good, since the words 'raim and tovim' sum to 393 [translator's note: the gemateria is 392 +1 for the phrase]

Rabbi Rahumai sat and expounded: What is the meaning of the verse (Deut 33:23), "And full of the LORD’s blessing, Take possession on the west and south."? This means that wherever we find the letter bet, it is blessed. This is the Filling referred to in the verse, "And full of the LORD’s blessing" From there it nourishes those who need it. It was from this Filling that God sought advice. What example does this resemble? A king wanted to build his palace among great cliffs. He mined into the bedrock and uncovered a great spring of living water. The king then said, "Since I have flowing water, I will plant a garden. Then I will delight in it, and so will all the world." It is therefore written (Pro. 8:30), "I was with Him as a confidant, A source of delight every day, Rejoicing before Him at all times," The Torah is saying, "For two thousand years I was in the bosom of the Blessed Holy One as His delight." The verse therefore says, "every day" Each day of the Blessed Holy One is a thousand years, as it is written (Ps. 90:4), "For in Your sight a thousand years are like yesterday that has passed, like a watch of the night." From then on, it is at times, as the verse states, "Rejoicing before Him at all times" The rest is for the world. It is thus written (Is. 48:9), "I control My wrath; To My own glory," What is the meaning of "My own glory"? As it is written (Ps. 145:1), "A song of praise. Of David. I will extol You..." Why is this a praise? Because "I will extol You". And what is this extolling? Because "Every day will I bless You and praise Your name forever and ever." [Ps. 145:2]

The sages taught in the language of the mishnah. Blessed be He who chose them and their teaching. Rabbi Meir said: Whoever occupies himself with the Torah for its own sake, merits many things; not only that but he is worth the whole world. He is called beloved friend; one that loves God; one that loves humankind; one that gladdens God; one that gladdens humankind. And the Torah clothes him in humility and reverence, and equips him to be righteous, pious, upright and trustworthy; it keeps him far from sin, and brings him near to merit. And people benefit from his counsel, sound knowledge, understanding and strength, as it is said, “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, strength is mine” (Proverbs 8:14). And it bestows upon him royalty, dominion, and acuteness in judgment. To him are revealed the secrets of the Torah, and he is made as an ever-flowing spring, and like a stream that never ceases. And he becomes modest, long-suffering and forgiving of insult. And it magnifies him and exalts him over everything.

Rabbi Bun said: What is the meaning of the verse (Proverbs 8:23), "In the distant past I was fashioned, At the beginning, at the origin of earth." What is the meaning of "in the distant past"? (m'Olam) This means that it must be concealed (he-elam) from the world. It is thus written (Ecclesiastes 3:11), "He also puts eternity (ha-Olam) in their mind." Do not read ha-Olam (eternity), but he-elam. (concealment) The Torah said, "I was first, so that I might be the head of the world." It is thus written, "In the distant past I was fashioned, At the beginning," You may think that the earth was before it. It is therefore written, "before the earth." It is thus written (Gen. 1:1), "In the beginning, when God began to create heaven and earth" What is the meaning of "created"? He created everything that was needed for all things, and then God, only after that is it written "the heaven and the earth."