Mishlei 9:1 and the Three Books of Bamidbar
חכמות בנתה ביתה חצבה עמודיה שבעה" - משלי ט:א"
The two verses of ויהי בנסוע הארון & ובנוחה יאמר are offset by 2 inverted nuns. Rav Tzadok HaKohen says that the inverted nuns make Bamidbar into 3 books and the Torah into seven books. This is alluded to in Mishlei 9:1.
Why is Bamidbar divided so unevenly? The first book is the ideal, book three is the negative reality (beginning with the sins of the מתאוננים, מרגלים, and קרח) and the second book is the transition. How did we get from the ideal of the first section to the harsh reality of the third section and how is this reflected in the middle book of Bamidbar?
Why are the three books separated by inverted nuns? What does nun represent?
Delivered at the OU Israel Center, June 23rd, 2019 (20 Sivan 5779) This shiur is sponsored by Mel David.