1)

What is "Melo Chaf Nachas"?

1.

Rav Sadya Gaon: It is a handful of rest.

2.

Rashi: It is acquiring a small amount of property from his exertion.

3.

Ibn Ezra: It is a meager amount of food, with rest.

4.

Rashbam, Metzudas David: It is a handful 1 of money with serenity.

5.

Ri Kara: It is toil needed to finance his household with serenity.

6.

R. Avigdor: It is one who learns a small amount of Halachos 2 , and he regularly reviews them.

7.

Seforno: It is what one attains via intermediate efforts. He attains what is necessary, so he has time for investigation and deeds [of Mitzvos].


1

Metzudas Tziyon: Kaf is the palm. Nachas is an expression of rest.

2

R. Avigdor: The Gematriya of "Melo Chaf" equals that of 'Zeh Halachah Echad b'Yom.'

2)

What is "Melo Chafnayim Amal u'Re'us Ru'ach"?

1.

Rashi: It is much property acquired via sin.

2.

Ibn Ezra: Much property acquired via exertion is Re'us Ru'ach. He thinks, what will I eat tomorrow? He does not know what the future will bring!

3.

Rashbam: It is a large amount of money with Amal [Metzudas David - and breaking his desire, i.e. something that he does not want to do].

4.

Ri Kara: It is excessive toil in order to find much property.

5.

Rid: It is his Ru'ach's desire, with (due to) envy.

6.

R. Avigdor: It is one who learns much, and he does not regularly review it.

7.

Seforno: Melo Chafnayim Amal is attaining excesses. Re'us Ru'ach is Kishron ha'Ma'aseh due to envy.

3)

Why is "Melo Chaf Nachas" better than "Melo Chafnayim Amal u'Re'us Ru'ach"?

1.

Rav Sadya Gaon: The Kesil says, a handful of rest is better than a double handful 1 of exertion and Re'us Ru'ach.

2.

Rashi: A small amount from his exertion is pleasant to his Maker. Much acquired via sin is Amal (refer to 4:4:1:2 and the note there) and sadness to Hashem.

3.

Ibn Ezra: The Kesil says, a meager amount of food, with rest, is better than a double handful with exertion and Re'us Ru'ach.

4.

Rashbam: The former finances himself honorably; the latter does not.

5.

R. Avigdor: A Mashal for this is, a bird in the trap is better than 100 flying. (The former will remember what he learns; the latter will not.)


1

Metzudas Tziyon: Chafnayim is two palms clasped together.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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