- The statement of a reward for the observance of mitzvot is rare. Can you think of examples in the TorahRefers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, also called the Five Books of Moses, Pentateuch or the Hebrew equivalent, Humash. This is also called the Written Torah. The term may also refer to teachings that expound on Jewish tradition. Read more? Whose mitzvot are alluded to here (Proverbs 3:1)?
- In Proverbs 3:3, hesedThere is no perfect translation, but is generally defined as “loving-kindness.” When we act with Hesed, we are doing Gemilut Hasadim. Also spelled: chesed Read more ve-emet is translated “fidelity and steadfastness”. What is the more familiar rendering of this phrase and why is there the unusual translation here?
- What familiar ritual does “bind them about your throat” call to mind? Do you think that the writer meant this admonition to be taken literally?
- What is the point of the medical metaphor in Proverbs 3:8?
- How does one honor the Lord with his wealth (Proverbs 3:9)? Are the meaning and application different today than they were in ancient times?
- Does Proverbs 3:12 appear to be self-contradictory? Compare the Rabbinic concept of yisurin shel ahavah (chastisements of love).
- Again, why is a materialistic analogy introduced in Proverbs 3:14-15?
- Proverbs 3:17-18 are a familiar passage from the morning liturgy. What is the antecedent of “her ways” and “she is a tree of life” in the prayer book and what is the antecedent here? Is the difference significant?
- Proverbs 3:19-20 suggest that God employed wisdom in creating the world. According to Rabbinic tradition, what did God use as His blueprint? Are the two sources different and, if so, is the difference significant?
- Of what forces were the ancients typically frightened during the night? What does the writer recommend as “preventive medicine” (Proverbs 3:25-26)?
- Can you think of parallels and/or differences in the Torah with the ethical precepts in Proverbs 3:27-32?
- Do you see any similarity between the conclusion of this chapter and Psalms 1?
- What do Proverbs 3:33-35 reflect about the writer’s theological views?
