Read the text of Daniel 1
Transcription
Welcome back to another episode of NachDaily with the first chapter of Sefer Doniel. The main theme in this chapter is how Doniel and his friends became servants to Nevuchadnetzer.
The Ramad Walli opens with 2 reasons why the Anshei Kenneset HaGadolah wrote Sefer Doniel. One, to teach Am Yisrael that even in galus where the “chitzonim,” impeding negative spiritual forces, rule, and we are living in a land that’s not ours, Hashem has not left His nation. There are many miracles that took place in exile which are recorded in this sefer.
Two, to teach that tzaddikim are under God’s direct hashgacha, providence, bringing them, often behind the scenes, to areas of significant influence. Tzaddikim stand strong in their emunah and possess the ability to rule over the chitzonim and natural world.
Obviously, this is a chessed from Hashem who gave us great
tzaddikim like Doniel and his friends.
During the 3rd year of King Yehoyakim of Yehudah’s reign, Nevuchadnetzer of Bavel laid siege to Yerushalayim. Hashem allowed him to defeat Yehoyakim and take some of the vessels of the Beis Hamikdash. He brought them to the land of Shinar, and used them for his idols.
Rashi and Rav Sadya Gaon explain that historically, the 3rd year of Yehoyakim’s reign really means the 3rd year of his rebellion against Nevuchadnetzer. Nevuchadnetzer eventually captured Yeohyakim and carried him off with the vessels.
The Ramad Walli adds that Nevuchadnetzer was certainly only a pawn used by Hashem. It’s quite possible that if Yehoyakim hadn’t been such a bad king, Hashem would have allowed his rebellion to be successful.
As Yehoyakim had turned to Avodah Zarah, tuma had spread to even the vessels of the Beis Hamikdash, which led to them being taken away to be used for idol worship.
The Ramad Walli feels that although Yehoyakim was evil, eventually he must have had thoughts of teshuva. In that zechus, Hashem had placed in the heart of Nevuchadnetzer to take great people, such as Doniel and his friends with him into exile.
Nevuchadnetzer ordered Ashpanaz, head of the Eunuchs, to take some of the best and brightest of Jews to be brought with him.
Verse 4 says, “Yeladim asher ain bahem kol mum, v’tovei ma’areh, u’maskilim b’chol chochma, v’yodea da’as, u’meivini mada, v’asher koach bahem, la’amod b’jeichel hamelech, u’lilamdam sefer u’lashon casdim – Good looking youths, without a blemish, versed in every wisdom, perceptive in knowledge, understanding in counsel, and capable in serving in the royal palace – and teach them the writing and language of the Chaldeans.”
Among the children taken were Doniel, Chananya, Mishael and Azariah. They were all reassigned new names, as was the custom for people raised to royalty. Yosef had been renamed Tsafnas-Paneach (Ibn-Ezra). Doniel was called Bellshatsar which was actually the name of an idol. Chananya was called Shadrach, Mishael called Meshach and Azariah became Aved-Nego.
Some of the Meforshim note that the fact Doniel was singled out to be named after Nevuchadnetzer’s idol shows how he was already singled out for greatness. While the Ramad Walli notes, the person in charge of them saw just how intelligent they were and wanted to give them a new identity by changing their names as if they were born in Bavel. And not like a prisoner of war. This was Hashem’s hashgacha pratis. Because had they gone by their original names perhaps, they never would have made it far in the royal ranks.
Verses 8 through 15 interject a story telling us that Doniel, despite living in the King’s proximity, maintained his level of kedusha and purity.
The King had them served a royal meal referred to as “pas bag bamelech,” which according to the Zohar was a hearty dish which included meat and milk, along with wine.
Doniel resolved not to eat any of this. The Malbim explains that as he was named after an idol, he worried that he was being prepared for such worship as well.
Hashem had caused the head of the Eunuchs, under whom Doniel was placed, to like him and be kind to him. The Eunuch told Doniel that if the King notices that he looks poorly due to not eating the food, he fears that his own life will be in danger.
Doniel made a deal with him. He and his friends would consume only legumes and water for 10 days. If their appearance improved in relation to the other youths, then they wouldn’t have to eat the treif food.
Verse 15 tells us that after the 10 days were up, the boys’ appearance had dramatically improved. In fact, “they looked better and healthier than all the youths” who had eaten the regular diet. The attendant agreed to give their rations of pas-bag out to the others.
There is a debate among the Meforshim whether or not this was considered a miracle. Some explain that the diet of legumes was indeed a better diet while others learn that this was a direct miracle from Hashem.
The Alshich notes the satisfaction Doniel and his friends received from fulfilling the word of God, caused them such joy they physically looked better as a reflection of their inner peace.
While the Ramad Walli explains, the Tzaddik Doniel was trying to bring a tikkun to the Malchus – Kingship through the 10 sefiros. Which is why he asked for 10 days. The Ramad Walli goes on to say an amazing thing. Like we just said Doniel was really trying to bring about a spiritual rectification. Which would inadvertently change his appearance. He did not actually need to eat food to this! But in his
great wisdom he asked for legumes, to hide the very fact he was able to do without food. This way no one would suspect him and his great level of Kedusha.
Now in verse 17 it says, “God granted the four youths intelligence and proficiency in all writings and wisdom, and Doniel possessed understanding of all kinds of visions and dreams.”
Now the preparatory time period ended, Doniel, Chananya, Mishael and Azariah were brought before the king. They became appointed to serve the king because when he spoke with them, he found none their equal. They answered his questions 10 times better than all the magicians and physicians in the kingdom.
Sefer Mishbatzos Zahav brings, this is because the Torah incorporates all wisdom. Additionally, he brings the Ramban’s intro to Torah which also explains how all wisdom derives its vitality from the Torah.
Doniel remained in his high-ranking position until the first year of King Cyrus.
The Ramad Walli notes, Doniel and his friends saw this as a good sign. Standing in front of the king below on earth is just a representation of standing in front of the God, the King above.
I hope you enjoyed this episode of NachDaily. Stay tuned to the next episode when we will be learning about Nevuchadnetzer dream of the 4 kingdoms.
Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.