B"H
Thursday, Sivan 16, 5785 / June 12, 2025
The Book of Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) begins with the following words: "The words of Kohelet, son of David, in Jerusalem: Futility of futilities! Said Kohelet, futility of futilities, all is futile. What profit does man have for all his labor which he toils beneath the sun?"
The Book of Ecclesiastes was said by King Solomon (Kohelet), the wisest of all people, before he passed away. One of King Solomon's names was Kohelet, which means to assemble. Our sages explain that King Solomon was called Kohelet, because he assembled great wisdom.
In the Book of Kohelet, King Solomon reminds us to be careful to put worldly matters and worldly values into proper prospective. In this book, King Solomon makes us aware of the vanity of material things.
The Midrash says, "If someone else would have said that all is futile, we might say perhaps this person was poor and thus didn't know the value of material things. This is why King Solomon interjects his name here ("The words of Kohelet son of David") to tell us that none other than the wise and wealthy King Solomon was the one who said this.
If everyone would realize how true these wise words are, there would be no jealousy, theft, wars or strife; for in the end, everything is vain and not worth fighting over. One does not leave this world with any of the material wealth they amassed during one's life. In many cases, the greater the material wealth left behind, the greater the jealousy, strife and fighting it causes amongst siblings and relatives.
The only possessions that are everlasting and which are truly eternal are the mitzvot and good deeds we achieved in this world.
The Magid of Dubna gives the following parable: A group of blind beggars were standing in the street asking for alms. A man approached one of them and in a loud voice said, "Here is some money to share with the others." But instead of giving, he walked away and gave him nothing.
The others, overhearing his conversation, demanded from the beggar their share of the money which they thought he received. When he claimed that he received nothing they didn't believe him and a melee broke out...
This parable explains the importance of the last of the Ten Commandments, which were read on Shavuot; not to be jealous of what our neighbor has. People think that the other person has more and thus they are jealous of what the other one has. But in reality, one doesn't know what the other person really has or doesn't have; and if he/she does have it, whether, in the short or long run, it brings them happiness or grief!
We should always remember the wise words of our sages in Pirkei Avot, “Who is a rich person? Whoever is happy with his lot!”
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW