Kohelet

Moadim Lesimcha. On שבת חול המועד, we read the book of Kohelet. It continues on the theme that we need to rethink our priorities and know what is important and what is not.

King Solomon gives vivid details about how he tried every possible pursuit in the physical world, and found that “all is vanity.” All that matters is to “Fear Hashem and keep the commandments for that is all there is to man.”

He also repeats the idea that “there is nothing new under the son.” All that we see about human nature and human endeavors has been seen before. Our Rabbis say that there may not be anything new “under” the sun, but there is a whole world that awaits us “above” the sun. This is the world of Kedusha and spirituality that knows no bounds and is available to all who pursue it.