Midrash Mishlei, a collection of insightful teachings on the Book of Proverbs, begins to unpack this idea with a profound statement: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” But what does that even mean?
Rabbi Zera, in the Midrash, offers a beautiful connection. He suggests that King Solomon, the author of Proverbs, was actually echoing his father, King David! David, in Psalm 111:10, says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Rabbi Zera sees Solomon’s statement as an agreement, highlighting that wisdom and knowledge are, in essence, two sides of the same coin.
But what happens when we don't value wisdom and instruction? The verse continues, "Fools despise wisdom and instruction." The consequences, the Midrash suggests, are pretty dire. We are taught in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) that honoring the Torah brings honor, and desecrating it brings desecration.
The Midrash then dives deeper into the relationship between wisdom and instruction. Why use both words? Isn't it redundant? The answer lies in how we engage with Torah. If we truly learn and apply the words of Torah to our lives, understanding their nuances and acting accordingly, then we possess both wisdom and instruction. But if we don't... well, that's when we fall into the category of those who "despise" them.
Avot deRabbi Natan (Teachings of Rabbi Nathan) paints a vivid picture of what happens when we neglect Torah study. A person who doesn't invest effort in learning will eventually struggle to even find the beginning of a chapter, a masechet (tractate of the Talmud), or even a single verse! It's like a field overgrown with weeds, as described in Proverbs 24:30-31: "I went by the field of a lazy man... and behold, it was all grown over with thistles." Forgetfulness leads to misinterpretations, declaring the impure pure and the pure impure.
But there's hope! When we do engage with Torah diligently, when we apply its teachings to our lives, something amazing happens: our faces brighten, we become illuminated! As Daniel 12:3 says, "And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
So, how do we ensure we're on the right path?
Solomon, with his unparalleled wisdom, gives us some practical advice: “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8). The Midrash interprets this in a couple of powerful ways.
First, it connects it directly to the commandment to honor our parents, given at Sinai. "Hear, my son, your father's instruction" refers to honoring your father, and "do not forsake your mother's teaching" refers to honoring your mother. Simple, right?
But there's another layer. "Hear, my son, your father's instruction" can also be understood as referring to the Torah Shebichtav, the Written Torah. And "do not forsake your mother's teaching" refers to the Torah Sheba'al Peh, the Oral Torah – all that was explained at Sinai, including the distinctions between pure and impure, forbidden and permitted. This interpretation emphasizes the crucial role of tradition and interpretation in understanding and living by the Torah.
And if we follow these instructions? The words of Torah become “an ornament of grace to your head, and chains about your neck” (Proverbs 1:9). They adorn us, protect us, and guide us. The Midrash concludes with a beautiful image: as long as we make our voice heard in Torah, its words become like honey and milk under our tongue – sweet, nourishing, and ever-present.
So, let's embrace the fear of the Lord, the beginning of knowledge. Let’s delve into the wisdom and instruction of the Torah, honoring our parents and cherishing the traditions that have been passed down through generations. Let's strive to make the words of Torah a constant source of sweetness and light in our lives.