1)

Why does it say "Al Tirsha Harbe" - may one do a little evil?!

1.

Torah Temimah citing Shabbos 31b: If one ate garlic and gives off an offensive smell, should he eat more garlic and give off more smell?! (One who sinned a little should not sin more.)

2.

Rashi (16, citing Yuma 22b): When Sha'ul questioned why we should kill animals and children 1 of Amalek, a Bas Kol (voice from Heaven) said "Al Tehi Tzadik Harbeh 2 " (16). When he told Do'eg to kill the Kohanim, a Bas Kol said "Al Tirsha Harbeh 3 ." R. Avigdor - whoever is merciful on the cruel, in the end Midas ha'Din will strike him - "va'Yamas Sha'ul" (Shmuel I, 31:6).

3.

Rav Sadya Gaon: Do not be drawn in evil.

4.

Rashi: Even if you did a little evil, do not increase to do evil.

5.

Ibn Ezra: This 'evil' is engaging in worldly matters. Much of it brings a person to danger. Engage [only] in what will suffice for you.

6.

Rashbam: Do not be Sechel, and used to doing evil.

7.

Ri Kara #1: Do not say, since I already sinned, I will enjoy the world and sin more.

8.

Ri Kara #2: A Kal v'Chamor teaches this. Tzedek and Chachmah are eternal life, yet if overdone, they ruin him - "Al Tehi Tzadik Harbeh v'Al Tischakam Yoser Lamah Tishomem" (16) - all the more so evil and folly, which are always ruinous, and shorten man's years and make him die prematurely, we must warn about them "Lamah Samus b'Lo Itecha"!

9.

Rid: Just like I warned you not to be too Tzadik, so I warn you not to be too evil - to pursue women, not to be concerned for Dam Nidah, and to eat meat without concern for Chelev and blood.

10.

R. Avigdor: Do not go much with Resha'im - "Bni Al Telech b'Derech Itam


1

R. Avigdor: He said, Shmuel told me to destroy "ha'Chata'im Es Amalek" - if man sinned, did the animals sin?!

2

Seforno, Maharsha (22b): I.e. do not have mercy on Resha'im. Ri Kara - for this, his kingship was removed and given to David.

3

Do'eg killed "me'Olel v'Ad Yonek v'Shor va'Chamor va'Seh" (Shmuel I, 22:19)!

4

Metzudas Tziyon: This is like "uv'Chol Asher Yifneh Yarshi'a" (Shmuel I, 14:47).

2)

What is being Sachel?

1.

Ri Kara: It is saying 'since excess Chachmah makes one desolate, why should I get wise?' The verse warns against this.

2.

Rid: It is being foolish. Just like I warned you not to be too wise, I warn you not to be too foolish, to pursue Havlei ha'Olam in eating, drinking, nice clothing and a nice dwelling, without concern for the Creator at all.

3.

Seforno: It is to veer totally from engaging in temporary life, even in order to engage in Torah and Mitzvos.

4.

Metzudas David: It is to totally ignore something terrifying.

3)

What would cause you to die before your time?

1.

Rav Sadya Gaon: You will be Chayav Misah before it was time for you to die [Rashbam - if you do much evil].

2.

Rashi: This is like Sha'ul - "va'Yamas Sha'ul b'Ma'alo Asher Ma'al" (Divrei ha'Yamim I, 10:13) - [he transgressed with] Nov Ir ha'Kohanim and Amalek.

3.

Ibn Ezra: Sechel (folly). Rid - refer to 7:17:2:2.

4.

Seforno: If you veer totally from engaging in temporary life; you will not get temporary life, and not Torah and Mitzvos.

5.

Metzudas David: Excessive panic, or totally ignoring the terrifying danger.

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