The Wicked Man

Rabbi Moshe Ben-Chaim

But the wicked are turbulent like the sea, who cannot rest, whose waters toss up mire and mud. (Isaiah 57:20).

What is this turbulence? What generates it in the wicked man only? What prevents his rest? What is the mire and mud?  

How does the wicked man differ from the righteous man? “Who is wise? One who knows the outcome” (Tamid 32a). The intelligent man studies the world and studies himself. He understands when complying with the operation of the world, his life is calm and his needs are easily attained. He uses sturdy wood to build his shelter and soft materials to weave his clothing. He plants from good seeds and does not oversaturate his fields, and awaits the proper season for harvest. In this manner he successfully provides for himself and his family. But one who does not follow the natural law will not have a sturdy shelter. His clothing made from coarse materials will scratch his skin and his crops will drown. 

Man naturally is endowed with numerous instinctual drives. A wicked person is one who caters to all of them as soon as he senses an urge. He runs from one fantasy to another, causing himself frustration after frustration, as every enjoyment is short-lived. He does not think that talking back to his employer will cause him to be fired, which ultimately happens and eventually he is without food and a home. Since he does not have intelligence he does not have the ability to reflect upon himself and determine where he is making mistakes. This turbulent man has no rest and the result is that he has a distasteful life, similar to mire and mud being thrown in his face at every turn. But as the previous verse states, the righteous man has peace. He knows when to speak and when not to speak. All of his actions are reviewed and strategized, just like the wise Jacob had planned the bribe when his brother was approaching him to kill him. 

The rule is that God gave us a mind to perceive natural law, which includes interpersonal relationships. If we respond rashly to every negative statement thrown our way, we lose the company of others and have difficulty in gaining friendships needed for working in society. But if we anticipate the fallout from our negative speech and actions, and we control and strategize our interactions with others, we will find peace and success.