Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov, chapter 12.

In the previous perek, Tzofar explained that man’s knowledge is completely subjective, dependent on his 5 senses. It’s impossible, therefore, to grasp the true nature of reality. Whether a person is a Tzaddik or a Rasha is ultimately subjective, and not for us to decide.

Iyov opens the perek by maintaining the veracity of his own experience of life.

Verse 3 says, “Gam li levav k’mochem lo nofeil anochi mikem v’es mi ain k’mo eilah – But, like you, I have a heart. I am no less than you. And who does not know all these things?”

The Malbim explains that Iyov tells Tzofar that if we can’t trust our own life experience and judgment, then what can we trust? Is it possible that someone can think of himself as completely righteous, without sin, but yet is so distorted that he doesn’t even know his own soul? Would God create people to be truly incapable of knowing where they stand in life?

In verses 7 through 12, Iyov explains that wisdom is the product of life experience. He continues to deny Tzofar’s contention that humans don’t have the ability to accurately perceive and judge life experiences on their own. This can ultimately lead to a person thinking the opposite of what’s really happening.

Iyov maintained that empirical knowledge gained from experience is considered true knowledge and the proper way to gain understanding of anything in life.

In verses 11 and 12 Iyov asks, “Does not the ear evaluate words, as the palate tastes food? There is wisdom in the elderly and understanding in the aged.” Hashem set up the world for us to trust our own judgment. We can know the inner, true nature of happenings in life.

In verse 13, he returns to the argument that he made in chapter 10 about man not having free choice because Hashem creates man’s ability to choose.

Iyov says “Imo Chochma u’gevruah, lo eitza u’sevuna – God has wisdom and strength: He possesses counsel and understanding.” AsGod knows everything, we don’t have free choice.

The Alshich Hakadosh notes that there is a grain of truth here. Of course our minds are not like Hashem’s, which is incomprehensible. The Malbim explains, based on the Rambam, that the difference between a donkey’s mind and a human mind is similar to the difference between Hashem’s mind and man’s. God’s ways are ultimately unfathomable.

The perek ends with Iyov providing examples to prove that humans don’t have free choice because they are compelled to act in ways which are illogical and non-beneficial to them.

An example of this is rulers harming their constituents. Nations acting as a result of poor judgment is an obvious sign of both our lack of free will and that God runs the world.

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily, as we continue Iyov’s response to human suffering and God’s relationship to this world.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.