The verse "Have you seen a man diligent in his work? He will stand before kings" (Proverbs 22:29) sparked quite the debate. Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Song of Songs, delves into just who this diligent individual might be. And, honestly, the initial suggestion is pretty compelling.
One interpretation points to Moses himself, specifically in his monumental undertaking of constructing the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. Think about it: the precise measurements, the intricate designs, the sheer amount of labor involved! No small feat. And the reward? "He will stand before kings," which in this context is interpreted as Pharaoh. Remember the verse "Arise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh" (Exodus 8:16)? That's Moses, standing before the most powerful ruler of his time.
But then comes a twist! "He will not stand before dark ones," the verse continues. This is where it gets interesting. Initially, the interpretation identifies the "dark ones" as Yitro, Moses' father-in-law. But Rabbi Nechemya wasn't buying it. He felt something was…off. It felt like taking something sacred and making it ordinary, or as he put it, "You have rendered the sacred profane!"
So, Rabbi Nechemya offers a different, more profound reading. "He will stand before kings" refers not to earthly rulers, but to the ultimate King, the King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He. Think of Moses' time on Mount Sinai. "He was there with the Lord forty days" (Exodus 34:28). That’s true diligence, standing in the presence of the Divine!
And who are the "dark ones" then? Rabbi Nechemya brings us back to Pharaoh, but not just as a king. He represents darkness itself. Remember the plague of darkness? "There was a thick darkness in the entire land of Egypt" (Exodus 10:22). Some say Pharaoh is considered "dark" simply because his land was plunged into darkness. Others point to the fact that, after that plague, Moses declared he would no longer visit Pharaoh (Exodus 10:29), further separating himself from the darkness.
So, what’s the takeaway? It's not just about being diligent in our work, but about who we are diligent for. Are we striving for earthly recognition, or are we dedicating ourselves to something higher, something sacred? Are we standing before the "dark ones" or striving to stand in the light of the Divine? Maybe, just maybe, true diligence isn't just about the task itself, but about the intention behind it.