Kohelet

The Book of Kohelet is read on Shabbat Chol Hamoed. It was written by King Solomon and reflected his perspective on the physical, natural world.

It is read on Succot, because this was traditionally, a time when people felt wealthy, after harvesting their crops. It was a kind of wake up call that people needed to reflect on what was truly important in this world.

King Solomon said, “Behold, I have increased and added wisdom, beyond all who were before me over Jerusalem.” He was hinting to the episode where Hashem granted him great wisdom, because he asked only for, “an understanding heart,” and did not ask for wealth.

He used this knowledge to carefully analyze all that exists “under the sun.” He not only analyzed the world, but experienced many of man’s pursuits in this world.

He studied the sciences, he built buildings, he attempted laughter and frivolity. He claimed to have tried most of the pursuits of man.

His conclusion was that everything “under the sun,” in this physical world, led to futility. The world was filled with so many injustices, and difficulties.

The only thing that made sense was to, “Fear G-d and keep His commandments, for this is all that there is to man.”

It is amazing to see a transformation in the world, where there is a collective realization that all pursuits in this world that do not include Hashem, are destined to fail. We must reflect on what is “above the sun,” which are spiritual pursuits, rather than what is “under the sun,” the futile physical and material pursuits.