What is the grammatical form of "Tachas"?
Rashi: This is the only place in Tanach where the first syllable of Tachas is accented. I say that it is a noun, like Chitas.
R. Yonah: There should have been a Dagesh in the Ches in Tachas, like Taka. The root is Nachas; it is an expression of descent, like "va'Tinchas Alai Yadecha" (Tehilim 38:3). The Targum of va'Yered is v'Nachas.
Who is a "Mevin"?
R. Yonah: It is one who wants to understand what he hears, and he has a heart to understand it. If he lacks either, he is not a Mevin - "Es Pnei Mevin Chachmah" (24), "v'Dal Mevin Yachkerenu" (28:11). It is not the same as Navon, which is one who acquired Binah. First he acquired Chachmah, and then he understood a matter amidst another matter. Navon does not need Ge'arah (harsh rebuke) - "v'Hochi'ach l'Navon Yavin Da'as" (19:25).
What do we learn from "Tachas Ge'arah v'Mevin me'Hakos Kesil Me'ah"?
Brachos 7a: One chastisement in the heart of man is better than 100 lashes.
Rashi: The submissiveness due to rebuke is recognized in one who understands, more than that from 100 lashes given to a Kesil.
R. Yonah: A rebuke descends and dwells in the heart of a Mevin. A Kesil does not like to hear the ways of Binah, only to fulfill his desire - "Lo Yachpotz Kesil bi'Svunah" (18:2). He is the opposite of a Mevin. Therefore, Ge'arah does not help him. Lashes are proper for him. The only Tikun for Nevalim is lowering and disgrace.
Orchos Tzadikim (Sha'ar ha'Chanifus DH v'Yachanif): If one thinks that he can draw his colleague to heed him to guard Mitzvos, but if he comes against him with anger, he will not heed him, and if he flatters him, he will accept his rebuke, it is a great Mitzvah to flatter him. This enables extracting dearness from disgrace. One does not accept rebuke amidst rebuff, rather, gently - "Divrei Chachamim b'Nachas Nishma'im" (Koheles 9:17). Some need harsh rebuke - "Tachas Ge'arah v'Mevin", and some need lashes - "u'Mahalumos l'Gev Kesilim" (19:29). For some, even lashes will not help - "me'Hakos Kesil Me'ah." There is no solution for him - expel him!
Malbim: Hitting does not help a Kesil. He knows the laws of Chachmah, just he departs from them because his desire overpowers him. It helps only for a Chasar Lev - "v'Shevet l'Gev Chasar Lev" (10:13). He does not rebel with contempt, just his heart is lacking. He is like an animal; one hits it with a staff to veer it to the path. One need not hit a Mevin; Ge'arah suffices for him. It is better than 100 lashes to a Kesil.
