In the story of Rus, we encounter the tragic decisions of Machlon and Kilyon, two brothers who sinned by marrying Moabite women. The Alshich points out a striking difference between them: Kilyon, the younger brother, essentially disappears from the narrative. He is forgotten, erased from the annals of Jewish legacy. Machlon, on the other hand—despite committing the very same transgression—is remembered. More than that, he becomes the ancestor of Dovid Hamelech and, ultimately, Moshiach. Through his wife Rus, and the spiritual force of yibbum, malchus beis Dovid (the royal lineage of King David) itself emerges.
This should make us pause. They both committed the same sin. So why is Machlon rewarded with such extraordinary merit, while Kilyon vanishes?
The Alshich offers a remarkable insight.
By the natural order of things, the older sibling typically marries before the younger. Yet in this case, it was Kilyon, the younger, who married first. What does that tell us?
It tells us that although Machlon ultimately succumbed to the same sin, he initially resisted. He held himself back. He knew it was wrong, and so he waited. He struggled and he fought. Even if only briefly, he told his yetzer hara: No. He did not act immediately. It was during that hesitation, that inner conflict, that his younger brother proceeded and married first.
In other words, Machlon didn’t fall right away. He tried, and he delayed. He battled within. And even though he eventually gave in, that brief resistance was enough to change everything.
From that small act of restraint came the merit that led to the birth of Dovid, to kingship, to the lineage of Moshiach.
The implications of this are staggering.
He failed, but not immediately. He tried to stand strong. And that moment of resistance was eternally significant.
Just imagine the power of a single moment of self-control. The spiritual impact of delaying an impulse. We’re not even talking about total victory; just the refusal to give in right away.
Think of a daily struggle. Take one moment at a time, one decision at a time. Each small act of control accumulates. Each pushback carries spiritual weight. Each delay could open the gates of tremendous beracha.
Who among us doesn’t need more blessing in their lives? Who wouldn’t want more spiritual merit on their side?
We can do this. You can do this.
