Welcome back to another episode of NachDaily with Nechemiah perek 3. In the previous chapter we learnt about how Nechemiah aroused desire in the nation to rebuild the walls of Yerushalayim. This chapter records the names of the people who actually reconstructed the wall.

[May this segment be a merit for the aliyas neshamos of Raizel bas Moshe, Avraham Aharon ben Yisroel Yitzchok, and Refael ben Yehoshua Falek.]

It should be noted that in order to facilitate and expedite the construction, Nechemiah appointed different families over each section of the wall, thereby building a tremendous structure in a short amount of time. Despite the many obstacles, this project only took 52 days, which Rav Schwab notes testifies to the Heavenly assistance Nechemiah’s work merited.

The first 32 pessukim of this chapter lists the names of the people and families who were involved in the rebuilding, immortalizing them forever. Rav Schwab adds that these names are literally in every copy of the Bible ever translated in dozens of languages. This points to how valuable and precious they are.

Furthermore, Rebbe Nachman explains in Sefer HaMidos that when you say the names of Tzaddikim you are able to cause a change in nature by drawing down from the power which is contained in these names into the world.

Based on this, Reb Nosson of Breslov compiled all the names in Chazal, including the ones in Sefer Nechemiah, into a small kuntres, pamphlet, known as Shemos HaTzaddikim. People can recite these holy names and bring tikkun to the world.

We should therefore realize that the names here are not only recorded for historical purposes, as all books of Tanach are relevant to all of us at all times.

Now to move along in the perek.

The Jews are mocked by their enemies.

When Sanballat heard about the Jews rebuilding the city walls, he became enraged and taunted them. He didn’t want to speak directly against the permission granted by the Persian government, so he made it seem as if the Jews were planning a rebellion. What’s going to be, he questioned, when they finish their walls? Are they going to bring sacrifices?

Sanballat joined with Toviah H’Amoni and mocked the walls, saying that the Jews were building a weak structure which would topple quickly. Despite his predictions, the walls Nechemiah built lasted about 400 years.

Hashem, Nechemiah prayed, we’ve become a mockery! Please, let the mockers be mocked and let them be taken away from us! Do not look the other way, and let their sins be upon them!

The chapter ends with stating that despite the naysayers, the walls were finished and Am Yisrael was extremely happy about their accomplishments!

The Ramad Walli adds that it was precisely because these reshaim taunted them that they felt more encouraged to finish building the wall. They strengthened themselves with extra desire and fortitude to complete the project. The purpose of Hashem sending us obstacles in life is for us to increase our desire until our yearnings burst forth and we’re able to materialize what we need to accomplish.

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily. Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.