Pipeline Torah Gem #882, 2025-05-16: Worry
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Vaughn Seward
May 18, 2025, 12:12:28 PM5/18/25
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Worry
"When there is worry in a man's heart, he should suppress it, and let a good thing convert it to gladness." (Proverbs 12:25)
Worry is never beneficial; it can only cause harm. An intelligent person should realize that anxiety about something that is only transitory is insanity. Rather than worry about it, he should trust in Hashem (Ralbag).
Rashi offers two explanations for the word Yandkhena (remove): Either he should remove it from his mind and not think about it; or he should tell others about it; i.e., sharing the problem with others will ease one's concern (see Yoma 75a). If a person does not share his concerns with someone else, his anxiety will probably get worse and overcome him. Metzudos relates the word to bowing and bringing down.
"And let a good thing convert it to gladness." — He should involve himself in Torah which is the ultimate good (Avos 6:3), and this will change his worry to happiness (Rashi). King David, whose life epitomized the suffering of the righteous, exclaimed, Had Your Torah not been my preoсcupation, then I would have perished in my affliction (Psalms 119:92). The Vilna Gaon elaborates: One who accepts the yoke of Torah is relieved of his worries. Thoughts of sword, hunger, and immorality are removed from one who inscribes the words of Torah into his heart (see Avos D'Rabbi Nassan 20:1).
According to the view that the first half of the verse counsels one to share his concerns with others, the verse concludes that it is good if his friend can comfort him and transform his worry into happiness (Rashi). An apt word can bring consolation, healing, and calm to our agitated neighbors (R' Hirsch). Realizing the futility of this world, one should neither rejoice excessively over success nor be overly anxious about failure. If worries overcome him, he must try to subdue them by immersing himself in the ways of God (Meiri), and by realizing that whatever Hashem does is for the good (Metzudos).
Adapted from Artscroll's "The Writings; Proverbs" by Rabbi N. Scherman & Rabbi M. Zlotowitz, page 100-101.
Torah Gem Archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/torahtidbits
_________________
Yiddish Corner
Shraybn tnoyim Entering into betrothal Lit. Writing the terms and conditions (tnoyim = terms and conditions) Brekhn teler Entering into betrothal Lit. Breaking plates (from the folk custom) Shidekh Match (for marriage) Khasene Wedding [From "In Praise of Yiddish" but Maurice Samuel]
"When there is worry in a man's heart, he should suppress it, and let a good thing convert it to gladness." (Proverbs 12:25)
Worry is never beneficial; it can only cause harm. An intelligent person should realize that anxiety about something that is only transitory is insanity. Rather than worry about it, he should trust in Hashem (Ralbag).
Rashi offers two explanations for the word Yandkhena (remove): Either he should remove it from his mind and not think about it; or he should tell others about it; i.e., sharing the problem with others will ease one's concern (see Yoma 75a). If a person does not share his concerns with someone else, his anxiety will probably get worse and overcome him. Metzudos relates the word to bowing and bringing down.
"And let a good thing convert it to gladness." — He should involve himself in Torah which is the ultimate good (Avos 6:3), and this will change his worry to happiness (Rashi). King David, whose life epitomized the suffering of the righteous, exclaimed, Had Your Torah not been my preoсcupation, then I would have perished in my affliction (Psalms 119:92). The Vilna Gaon elaborates: One who accepts the yoke of Torah is relieved of his worries. Thoughts of sword, hunger, and immorality are removed from one who inscribes the words of Torah into his heart (see Avos D'Rabbi Nassan 20:1).
According to the view that the first half of the verse counsels one to share his concerns with others, the verse concludes that it is good if his friend can comfort him and transform his worry into happiness (Rashi). An apt word can bring consolation, healing, and calm to our agitated neighbors (R' Hirsch). Realizing the futility of this world, one should neither rejoice excessively over success nor be overly anxious about failure. If worries overcome him, he must try to subdue them by immersing himself in the ways of God (Meiri), and by realizing that whatever Hashem does is for the good (Metzudos).
Adapted from Artscroll's "The Writings; Proverbs" by Rabbi N. Scherman & Rabbi M. Zlotowitz, page 100-101.
Torah Gem Archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/torahtidbits
_________________
Yiddish Corner
Shraybn tnoyim Entering into betrothal Lit. Writing the terms and conditions (tnoyim = terms and conditions) Brekhn teler Entering into betrothal Lit. Breaking plates (from the folk custom) Shidekh Match (for marriage) Khasene Wedding [From "In Praise of Yiddish" but Maurice Samuel]
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