How did Hashem make Nebuchadnetzar rule over animals and birds?
Rashi: If he decreed that a horse not neigh (scream), or that a bird not fly, they obeyed ? "v'Es Chayas ha'Sadeh Nasati Le'avdo."
Why does Nebuchadnetzar correspond to the gold head?
Rashi: Your kingship is strong, lasting and very esteemed. Malbim (37) - gold has three advantages over other metals. (a) It lasts ? it does not rust. (b) It is stronger than other metals 1 ? his kingship was Tukfa. (c) It is dear and esteemed.
Malbim: The head influences Sechel and Da'as, which pertains to people, to the entire body. It influences also sensation and motion to the body ? these apply also to animals and birds. Nebuchadnetzar ruled over all of them.
Malbim (37): He is the king of kings. He was the first to rule over the world; all kings were under him. And just like the head houses the intellect and spiritual Neshamah [which is from Hashem], so this kingship came to him from Hashem.
Also Maharal (Ohr Chadash on Esther 1:6) says that gold is stronger than silver. What is their source? Abarvenel (Shemos 26:31) says oppositely! Experts bite gold to test it (feel its softness)! Perhaps gold is stronger after great refining; refer to Shemos 25:11:152:1. (PF)
