What is the meaning of "Lakachas Musar Haskel"?
R. Yonah #1: One should know Musar ("Lada'as Chachmah u'Musar" - 2) in order to take Musar. This is to fulfill it in practice; he straightens his Midos according to Musar, like "Ra'isi Lakachti Musar" (24:32). It is as if it says Musar v'Haskel; also "Nofech Sapir v'Yahalom" (Shemos 28:18, is as if it says v'Sapir 1 ). Haskel is supervision and investigation in every deed, like "va'Yhi David l'Chol Derachav Maskil" (Shmuel I, 18:14).
R. Yonah #2: To take and receive Musar that his Sechel (intellect) instructs and teaches his understanding. This is like "Af Leilos Yiseruni Chilyosai" (Tehilim 16:7). He is drawn after the Musar and counsel of the intellectual Nefesh, and abandons the way of desire. Via knowing Chachmah u'Musar expounding them from this Sefer, afterwards he will heed Musar that his Sechel instructs in his deeds and ways. He will tilt to them and cling to them, and veer from the ways of the Yetzer.
Malbim: Haskel is unlike Binah. It is a sharp power in man that can grasp matters that Binah cannot grasp. E.g. there are matters of Chachmah that proofs of Binah do not clarify them, and to understand Ma'ase Bereishis, Ma'ase Merkavah, and the greatness of the Creator. Stam Musar comes from fear of Hashem's punishment. Musar that comes from fear of Hashem's grandeur, and fear of going against His laws of Chachmah, is Musar Haskel. It is via Sechel; sometimes Ru'ach ha'Kodesh accompanies it, and it is called Sechel Tov.
Often, when the Torah lists three or more matters, it does not put a Vov before all after the first, e.g. all four rows of Avnei ha'Choshen. Why did R. Yonah cite the second row? And why didn't he cite "Shemesh Yare'ach" (Chabakuk 3:11) to prove that a Vov can be omitted even when there are only two matters? (PF)
What are "Tzedek u'Mishpat u'Mesharim"?
Rashi: They are giving Tzedakah from one's money, judging Emes, and compromise - a smooth Mishor (straight path) equal for both parties.
R. Yonah: Tzedek is going beyond the letter of the law. Mishpat is letter of the law. In some matters it is proper to go beyond the letter of the law 1 - "ha'Ma'aseh" is the law. "Asher Ya'asun" is going beyond the letter of the law (Bava Metzi'a 30b). Mesharim is to conduct based on the straight and the way of Sechel, in matters to which Mishpat and obligations of Beis Din do not apply. In many places, Chachamim said 'one is exempt bi'Ydei Adam and liable bi'Ydei Shamayim.'
Malbim: Tzedek u'Mishpat teach how to conduct Bein Adam l'Chavero and civil conduct. Mesharim applies to straightness of mindset in matters of investigation, and straightness of deeds, both to matters of Chachmah and of Binah. All this one can learn from these Meshalim.
Malbim: This is based on the place, time and the matter.
