Welcome back to another episode of NachDaily, with Doniel, chapter 3. The primary topic in this chapter is Nevuchadnetzer ’s second dream.

The previous chapter ended after Nevuchadnetzer witnessed the miracle of Chananya, Azariah and Mishael leaving the fiery furnace completely unscathed and Nevuchadnetzer writing a letter to all his kingdom, acknowledging the greatness of Hashem.

This chapter begins in the first person, with Nevuchadnetzer himself speaking. There’s a debate among the Meforshim as to whether or not this perek continues the letter that he was writing in the previous perek, or if it’s a new story completely.

Nevuchadnetzer began by recounting a disturbing dream. No wise man on his staff was able to tell him the interpretation until he asked Doniel, from whom no mystery was hidden.

Alshich notes that what made the dream particularly disturbing is that it occurred at a time when Nevuchadnetzer had peace of mind.

The vision began with Nevuchadnetzer lying in bed. He saw a tree grow to be enormous and very strong. It was so tall that its top reached the heavens and was visible from across the earth. It had beautiful foliage, with enough fruit for everyone. Animals and birds took shelter in its shade and branches.

Suddenly he saw an angel coming down from Heaven, shouting to cut down the tree and its branches. The animals scattered, leaving the stump and roots of the tree intact.

Cryptically, the dream switched from referring to “it” to talking about “he,” as if there was a person in the vision.

“Let him be bound in iron chains and thrown onto the grass,” the angel continued, “let him be drenched with dew. Replace his heart with an animal one. Seven seasons will pass over him. This way all will

know that the Supreme One (Hashem) rules over man and can do whatever He wishes.”

After relating his dream, Nevuchadnetzer told Doniel that no one knew the meaning, but he was confident that Doniel would know. Doniel was left speechless, as he was alarmed by the dream.

Nevuchadnetzer told him not to be alarmed or disturbed.

The Malbim explains that Doniel feared retribution until Nevuchadnetzer reassured him. The Ramad Walli adds that he was not afraid of Nevuchadnetzer. He had complete emunah, especially after seeing how his friends were saved from the fire, but he was concerned that Hashem wouldn’t send him the interpretation.

Doniel’s interpretation is as follows: The magnanimous tree with all its fruits, foliage and shelter was Nevuchadnetzer, who had become so powerful. His dominion had spread throughout the world and even reached the heavens.

The angel calling out for the tree to be cut down and the “man” to be bound up in chains, drenched, and treated lower than an animal is Nevuchadnetzer. He will be fed grass like cattle. Seven seasons will pass over him until he truly learns that God is the one who lifts people up and puts them down.

The stump is left intact with its roots because the kingdom will be his to reclaim once he has recognized Hashem’s rule.

Doniel advised Nevuchadnetzer to give much tzeddaka and be generous with the poor so that his riches would last.

The Meforshim explain that Doniel saw that the reason why Nevuchadnetzer was to be thrown down like an animal was to cause him to recognize God. His giving of tzeddka would be an acknowledgement of God which would mitigate the harsh decree against him.

The Ramad Walli adds that Doniel gave Nevuchadnetzer advice to show that he was not kafuy tov, ungrateful, for all the good that the

King had done for him. He thought that the Jews would also benefit from the tzeddaka.

The Gemarah in Bava Basra 4a brings that Doniel was actually punished for giving unsolicited advice to Nevuchadnetzer.

Verses 25 until 34, which end the perek, explain that Nevuchadnetzer gave charity until he no longer feared his dream. At the very moment that Nevuchadnetzer began to brag about his great kingdom, a heavenly angel appeared, stating that he would be cast down to the status of the beasts in the field. His dream was fulfilled.

Indeed, Nevuchadnetzer was driven from royalty and ate grass like an animal. His grew feathers like vultures, and his nails grew like birds. Essentially he became insane.

After acknowledging that God is Supreme above all, he was returned to his senses. Nevuchadnetzer ended by praising and thanking Hashem for all the kindness he’d received.

It should be noted that there is much debate in the Meforshim about when in history this actually took place, because it seems that this is the only place where Nevuchadnetzer ’s insanity is recorded.

The Ramad Walli asks why Hashem didn’t just kill Nevuchadnetzer. Why did He allow him to be restored to his throne? The Ramad Walli answers, al pi kabbala, that Nevuchadnetzer was considered the head of all the klippos, evil negative forces. While eradicating evil would certainly be a high level, it’s an even higher level to force evil to recognize Hashem and kedusha. Once Nevuchadnetzer recognized God’s Hand, he was restored. Having evil recognize kedusha ultimately makes a bigger sanctification of God’s name.

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