Proverbs 3:5-10 - Misuse of Logic

The second paragraph (פְּתוּחָה) in the third chapter of Proverbs urges a person not to rely on their own understanding. This is unexpected considering that the book of Proverbs emphasizes development of the intellect especially the characteristic of understanding. Adding to this difficulty, shortly thereafter after it says one should not be a wiseman in his own eyes.

The concern is that the intellect can be exploited to justify anything that is considered pleasing. The mind can always be used to provide some sort of a rationale. People will say things like you never really know, black is white, or it's all nonsense; often at great length while speaking rapidly. Therefore all their actions are entirely proper, even ones that are bad; maybe obviously, maybe subtly.

The warnings against misuse of knowledge and logic are paired with exhortations to trust in God with a whole heart and abandon evil. Although it is not said explicitly, the Torah and its precepts are considered the definition of good. Therefore trusting in Hashem is reckoned as keeping the Torah and believing that good things will happen because of it. This section of Proverbs gives the example that it will heal your flesh and quench the thirst of your bones. The implication is that the Torah provides nourishment and cures a person's ills.

The section ends by saying, “Honor Hashem with your wealth and the best that you can produce”, (Proverbs 3:9). The simple understanding is to be charitable. It also suggests that the best that a Jew can produce should be proudly given to religion. The question is what does this have to do with don't be too smart for your own good? The answer is that when it comes to charity, this is where people come up with all sorts of clever excuses. It's even more extreme if the idea is that a contribution, even a generous one is not enough. Rather religion gets the best of everything.

It is here that one needs to contemplate the words of King Solomon. Is he saying that a Jew should be dedicating his life to Judaism and not try to get out of it by making excuses. Or is he saying if you want to get a good look at excuses, stories, and sophistry, pay attention to how people behave when asked to give charity. It's probably a bit of both.

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