1)

What is the meaning of "Ki Mi Asher Yechubar ["El Kol ha'Chayim]"?

1.

Rav Sadya Gaon: One who joins with the living, he has hope and Bitachon. Ri Kara - after death, hope is lost, like Yisrael said "Yavshu Atzmoseinu v'Avdah Sikvasenu Nigzarnu Lanu" (Yechezkel 37:11).

2.

Rashi: While he is alive, even if he is a Rasha and connected to Resha'im - "El Kol ha'Chayim" is even to Resha'im - there is Bitachon 1 . Perhaps he will repent before he dies.

3.

Ibn Ezra #1: People think that anyone connected to life has Bitachon.

4.

Ibn Ezra #2: Which of the dead 2 can connect to the living?! One cannot join to all who separate from him.

5.

Ri Kara: Who will live forever, and not see death, and he will be connected to the living, and not to the dead?

6.

Rid: This refutes the folly in people's hearts (that since everyone will die, a Tzadik's virtue did not help him). One who is connected to all (eternal) life, he has Bitachon for this world!

7.

R. Avigdor: This refers to Tzadikim, who are called alive even when they are dead (Brachos 18a).

8.

Seforno: What is connected to all aspects of living beings - sense, motion, nourishment and growth, even if some is lost.


1

Metzudas David: He has Bitachon (a chance) to inherit the world to come.

2

Magihah (in Toras Chayim): This refers to "ha'Mesim" at the end of verse 3.

2)

We pronounce "Yechubar". Why is written "Yivchar"?

1.

Ibn Ezra: It is written Yivchar, for the dead cannot choose.

2.

R. Avigdor: It says "u'Vacharta ba'Chayim Lema'an Tichyeh" (Devarim 30:19). Refer to 9:4:3:1. This is the source of a Mitzvas Aseh to choose the living, and not those who died, for there is no Bitachon in the dead.

3)

Why does it say "El Kol ha'Chayim Yesh Bitachon"?

1.

Ibn Ezra: There is Bitachon only with the living, but not with the dead. R. Avigdor - "Tov Lachasos ba'Shem mi'Beto'ach ba'Adam" (Tehilim 118:9).

2.

Seforno: Refer to 9:4:1:8.

4)

What is the significance of "l'Chelev Chai Hu Tov Min ha'Arye ha'Mes"?

1.

Shabbos 30b, cited partially in Rashi: David died on Shabbos. Shlomo asked Chachamim - my father is dead, in the sun (the body is prone to decay), and his dogs are hungry. What should I do? They said, cut up a Nevelah for the dogs to eat. Put a loaf or child on top of your father. You may move his body together with it. (Rashi 30b - he could feed the dogs normally, but David's body (Muktzeh) he could move only via a loaf or child. Alternatively, they answered about the dogs before about David.)

2.

Rav Sadya Gaon: It is better to join to a live dog than to a dead lion [for one who joins with the living, he has hope and Bitachon].

3.

Rashi: Both of these refer to Resha'im. Nevuzaradan was an Eved 1 Rasha, and he converted; death did not precede [his Teshuvah]. His master Nebuchadnetzar is called a lion - "Alah Arye mi'Subecho" (Yirmeyah 4:7), and he died in his evil. He is in Gehinom, and his servant is in Gan Eden.

4.

Rashbam: After death, there is no ability and strength.

5.

R. Avigdor: Via Ru'ach ha'Kodesh, this is a disgrace of a future false Mashi'ach. A live dog can help man; the dead cannot help at all.


1

I.e. like a dog.

5)

Above (4:2), he praises the dead more than the living. Here, it says "l'Chelev Chai Hu Tov Min ha'Aryeh ha'Mes"! Also David said "Lo ha'Mesim Yehalelu Kah" (Tehilim 115:17)!

1.

Refer to 4:2:3:1-2.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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