The Book of Ecclesiastes (Koheleth) is part of the biblical Wisdom literature. It presents the journey of its author in search of the meaning of existence. The book opens with a harsh declaration: “Utter futility\u2014said Koheleth\u2014 All is futile!” The author tries in various ways to discover the secret of life, and each time reaches the same conclusion, that all of his efforts are futile. Is it the case that by the end of the book the author has found what he seeks? That’s for you to decide.<\/p>\n
The opening of the book attributes it to the son of David, king in Jerusalem, the wisest of people, in other words – Solomon. Many traditions include the reading of Kohelet as part of the Sukkot celebrations.<\/p>\n","static_cube_color":"","date_from":"20210901","date_to":"","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"96946","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"2","name":"Ultimate Rebirth ","post_title":"Ultimate Rebirth","slug":"ultimate-rebirth","old_id":"96946","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":96425,"post_title":"Debra Band","slug":"debra-band","old_id":"96425","first_name":"Debra ","last_name":"Band ","description":"Debra Band is a Hebrew manuscript artist residing in Potomac, MD. She is the author and illuminator of six illuminated books and commentaries, including The Song of Songs: the Honeybee in the Garden (2005), I Will Wake the Dawn: Illuminated Psalms (2007, with Arnold J. Band), and Kabbalat Shabbat: the Grand Unification (2016, with Raymond P. Scheindlin and Arthur Green). Her pieces on Ecclesiastes are taken from: Qohelet: Searching for a Life Worth Living, by Debra Band and Menachem Fisch (forthcoming).","short_description":"Debra Band is a Hebrew manuscript artist residing in Potomac, MD. She is the author and illuminator of six illuminated books and commentaries","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":96426,"alt":"","title":"debra band","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band.jpg","width":267,"height":247,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band.jpg","medium-width":267,"medium-height":247,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band.jpg","medium_large-width":267,"medium_large-height":247,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band.jpg","large-width":267,"large-height":247,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band.jpg","1536x1536-width":267,"1536x1536-height":247,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band.jpg","2048x2048-width":267,"2048x2048-height":247,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band.jpg","post_full_size-width":267,"post_full_size-height":247,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/debra-band.jpg","home_baner-width":267,"home_baner-height":247}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"2033","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The strength to endure despite the passing of every individual\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"
Far beneath the heavens, night falls over the palace of the philosopher-king. The golden bowl framing the scene has cracked, perhaps now even more precious for its fragile impermanence. While planning the paintings for this final chapter I luckily happened upon <\/span>Ben Qohelet<\/span><\/em> [Son of Qohelet], the book of poetry reflecting on <\/span>Qohelet <\/span>composed by the first of the two Jewish grand viziers who ruled in Granada, Shmuel HaNagid, father of the second, whose Solomonic palace lies under the present-day Alhambra. The micrographic border bears its first forty-four poems The pattern of the micrography is adapted from a tiling pattern found within the palace complex in Granada.<\/span><\/p>\r\n One brief poem from <\/span>Ben Qohelet<\/span><\/em> surrounds the text page, expressing the poet\u2019s insistence on pursuing life despite its transience:<\/span><\/p>\r\n Soul opens inside you on beauty\u2014<\/span> Heart says: you\u2019ll live forever\u2014<\/span> (trans. by Peter Cole, <\/span>Selected Poems of Shmuel HaNagid<\/span><\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\r\n Qohelet\u2019s last words are surrounded with imagery of fig branches across the four seasons\u2014spring buds, ripening summer fruits cloaked in lush foliage, ripening, even bursting autumn fruit and yellowing leaves, and finally the bare branches of winter. Here fig branches hint at the birth and passing of generations, and the value of divine law. Throughout Jewish lore figs embody many qualities of Israel, humankind and the world. In the Song of Songs young figs budding from their branches symbolize Spring rebirth while the author of the medieval midrash, <\/span>Yalkut Shimoni<\/span><\/em>, compares the fig to the divine law that Qohelet advises us to heed:<\/span><\/p>\r\n Why is the Torah likened to a fig tree? Because all other fruits contain useless [inedible] matter. Dates have pits, grapes have seeds, pomegranates have rinds. But the fig, all of it is edible. So words of Torah have no worthless matter in them\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n The oak branch embedded in the micrography of the final illumination bears the acorns that carry forward its heritage despite that tree\u2019s yellowing leaves, alluding to Israel\u2019s strength to endure despite the passing of every individual, of even the Davidic kingdom itself. Isaiah prophesied that Israel would be reborn after conquest, \u201clike the terebinth and the oak, of which stumps are left even when they are felled: its stump shall be a holy seed.\u201d Like the oak\u2019s seed and regenerating stump, long after his own death Qohelet\u2019s words persist in guiding humankind toward a realistic, yet meaningful life.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":96947,"alt":"","title":"ecc-sikk-DBand","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand.jpg","width":2500,"height":1563,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand-300x188.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":188,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand-768x480.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":480,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand-1024x640.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":640,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":960,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand-1200x750.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":750,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc-sikk-DBand-672x420.jpg","home_baner-width":672,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Ultimate 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Holding Truths In Tension ","post_title":"Kohelet: Holding Truths In 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Shira Hecht-Koller and Ruby Namdar","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/cg-ogRlXyoQ","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Reflections on Ecclesiastes","tile_main_caption":"Kohelet: Holding Truths In Tension","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"with Shira Hecht-Koller and Ruby Namdar","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/cg-ogRlXyoQ","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Ecclesiastes","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"2033"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"332","name":"24 in 24","old_id":"732"}]},{"order":3,"id":"96949","color":"#f6f5de","size":"1","name":"Mysteries Dispelled: Qohelet in Biblical and Liturgical Context ","post_title":"Mysteries Dispelled: Qohelet in Biblical and Liturgical Context","slug":"mysteries-dispelled-qohelet-in-biblical-and-liturgical-context","old_id":"96949","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":96474,"post_title":"Menachem Fisch","slug":"menachem-fisch","old_id":"96474","first_name":"Menachem ","last_name":"Fisch ","description":"Menachem Fisch is Joseph and Ceil Mazer Professor of History and Philosophy of Science Emeritus, and Director of the Center for Religious and Interreligious Studies at Tel Aviv University, and Senior Fellow of the Goethe University Frankfurt's Forschungskolleg Humanwissenschaften, Bad Homburg.\r\n","short_description":"Menachem Fisch is Joseph and Ceil Mazer Professor of History and Philosophy of Science Emeritus, and Director of the Center for Religious and Interreligious Studies at Tel Aviv University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":96482,"alt":"","title":"menachem.fisch","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_.jpg","width":200,"height":200,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_.jpg","medium-width":200,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_.jpg","medium_large-width":200,"medium_large-height":200,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_.jpg","large-width":200,"large-height":200,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_.jpg","1536x1536-width":200,"1536x1536-height":200,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_.jpg","2048x2048-width":200,"2048x2048-height":200,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_.jpg","post_full_size-width":200,"post_full_size-height":200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/menachem.fisch_.jpg","home_baner-width":200,"home_baner-height":200}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"2033","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Finding joy in temporality, lasting value in transience\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" R.B.Y. Scott\u2019s Anchor Bible version of <\/span>Qohelet<\/span><\/em> speaks for many in declaring that \"Ecclesiastes is the strangest book in the Bible, or at any rate the book whose presence in the sacred canons of Judaism and of Christianity is most inexplicable\u201d \u2013 a claim he never takes back. In addition to the mystery of <\/span>Qohelet<\/span><\/em>\u2019s<\/em> biblical status, Jewish readers are also faced with that of the book\u2019s perplexing liturgical placing. What could justify the ritual reading of such a sobering and tortured meditation on the human condition during the festival specifically marked by excessive joy?! In light of the reading proposed in my notes to Qohelet, both mysteries are dispelled.<\/span><\/p>\r\n According to Mishna <\/span>Yadaim<\/span><\/em>, 3:5, <\/span>Qohelet<\/span><\/em>\u2019s<\/em> canonization, long disputed by the \u2018Houses\u2019 of Shammai and Hillel, was decided in favor of the Hillelites on the day R. Elazar b. Azaria was appointed head of the Yavne Center. The association of <\/span>Qohelet<\/span><\/i>\u2019s religious viability with Talmudic Hillelism is an indication of how the rabbi\u2019s might have read it. Rabbinic literature has little to say about the radical and wholly unadjudicated diversity of exegetical and halakhic opinion it harbors, or of its keen argumentative style. But in the brief, well-known story of the heavenly resolution of the Hillelite-Shammaite dispute (<\/span>Eruvin<\/span><\/em> 13b), it offers a rare glimpse of how it understands its own undertaking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n The Hillelite position is endorsed, it states, because unlike the Shammaites they were <\/span>nochin<\/span><\/em> and <\/span>aluvin<\/span><\/em>. In Talmudic Hebrew <\/span>nochin<\/span><\/em> means flexible, namely, wary of being wrong and willing to change their mind , and <\/span>aluvin<\/span><\/em> means open to criticism, willing to be \u2018insulted\u2019 by others. To side with the Hillelites is hence to realize (a) the transient, fallible nature of our traditions, and (b) the need, therefore, for the kind of potentially transformative challenge only an equally dedicated opponent can provide. This, as I have argued, is precisely Qohelet\u2019s position when applied to Torah study!<\/span><\/p>\r\n By the same token, <\/span>Qohelet<\/span><\/em>\u2019s<\/em> liturgical placement also gains intriguing clarity. Read as I\u2019ve proposed, the book forcefully raises, and answers to its author\u2019s satisfaction (and relief!), the question of how we are able to live lives of real, divinely approved <\/span>yitaron<\/span><\/em> despite our time bound, temporary existence and inherently fallible knowledge. Sukkot, of course, is dedicated to leaving our supposedly permanent dwellings in favor of temporary unstable booths. It is the celebration of our essential temporality and transience, if you wish, and of the immense joy of knowing that we can pursue lives of real value despite our thorough <\/span>hevel<\/span><\/i> existence. Indeed, Maimonides\u2019s detailed description of the rabbinic elite\u2019s ecstatic rejoicing in Torah during Sukkot, depicts it as no less than a Hillelite carnival (<\/span>hilkhot Shofar, Sukkah, and Lulav<\/span><\/em>, 8:12-4).<\/span><\/p>\r\n This might also explain why Simchat Torah, the inauguration of the annual Torah-reading cycle, is appended to Sukkot, rather than, as one might have expected, to the reception of Torah celebrated on Shavuot. But that would be a topic for another day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n excerpted from: <\/span>Qohelet: Searching for a Life Worth Living,<\/span><\/em> by Debra Band and Menachem Fisch (forthcoming)<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":96953,"alt":"","title":"ecc12-dandelion transience","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience.jpg","width":1920,"height":1151,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-300x180.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":180,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-768x460.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":460,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-1024x614.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":614,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":921,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1151,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-1200x719.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":719,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-701x420.jpg","home_baner-width":701,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Mysteries Dispelled: Qohelet in Biblical and Liturgical Context","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Finding joy in temporality, lasting value in transience","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":96953,"alt":"","title":"ecc12-dandelion transience","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience.jpg","width":1920,"height":1151,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-300x180.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":180,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-768x460.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":460,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-1024x614.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":614,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":921,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1151,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-1200x719.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":719,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ecc12-dandelion-transience-701x420.jpg","home_baner-width":701,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Ecclesiastes","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"2033"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":4,"id":"96470","color":"#efefef","size":"1","name":"(The) Kohelet ","post_title":"(The) Kohelet","slug":"the-kohelet","old_id":"96470","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. 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To the extent that a church is a place where people congregate, it is a reasonable facsimile of the Hebrew <\/span>Kohelet<\/span><\/i>, from the verbal root <\/span>k-h-l<\/span><\/i>, to assemble. Indeed, the rabbinic attribution of this book to King Solomon is usually accompanied by the explanation that he was so-called because \u201cHe would address [the people] at The Assembly (<\/span>Hakhel<\/span><\/i>)\u201d (Kohelet Rabba 1:1), referring to the once in seven-year assemblage of \u201call Israel\u201d (Deut. 31:10 ff.) that was addressed by the king. The same logic that conferred the authorship of Proverbs to Solomon due to his acknowledged wisdom (1 Kings 5:12) would support this attribution as well.<\/span><\/p>\r\n And yet this attribution is also problematic. Part of the problem is reflected in the talmudic notation: \u201cThe scholars sought to conceal the Book of Kohelet because its contents were self-contradictory. Why did they not conceal it? Because it begins and ends with words of Torah\u201d (Shabbat 30b). As illustrations of self-contradiction, they cited \u201canger is better than laughter\u201d (7:3) as opposed to \u201cI consider laughter praiseworthy\u201d (2:2).) Other, perhaps more substantive problems are the use of Persian and Aramaic words that usually indicate a late composition, as well as the overall philosophy of the book, whose similarity to that of the classical Greek cynics just does not concur with the Tanakh\u2019s descriptions of Solomon\u2019s wealth, influence, and success.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Additionally, in one instance, the text refers to <\/span>ha-Kohelet<\/span><\/i> (12:7), a significant and troubling anomaly because proper nouns do not take the definite article; rather, they are affixed to common nouns, which would make Kohelet a noun of profession, usually rendered \u201cpreacher.\u201d A singular 19<\/span>th<\/span> century scholar, Nachman Krochmal (1785-1840), combined this anomaly along with the midrashic reference to the <\/span>hakhel<\/span><\/i> ceremony, to arrive at this ingenious solution: The author was truly a \u201cson of David, king of Jerusalem\u201d (1:1) by virtue of being a Nasi (Patriarch, <\/span>see our comments to Ruth 4<\/span><\/a>) a direct dynastic descendant of the Judean monarchy, who governed the province of Jerusalem during the Second Temple era under the Persians (Krochmal, <\/span>Moreh N\u2019vukhei HaZ\u2019man<\/span><\/i>, Chapter 11).<\/span><\/p>\r\n Image: King Solomon in Old Age\" by Gustave Dor\u00e9 (1866), colorized \/ 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Knowledge And Free Will ","post_title":"God\u2019s Knowledge And Free Will","slug":"gods-knowledge-and-free-will","old_id":"96548","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. He and his daughter studied the Tanach again for her bat mitzvah. Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group. When not studying for 929, Josh works as an in-house lawyer in New Jersey.","short_description":"Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group, and is an in-house attorney in New Jersey. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"810","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The difference between God\u2019s universe, and Marvel\u2019s\u00a0\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" Thanks to Pete Seeger and The Byrds, chapter three of Ecclesiastes is probably the most famous of them all. But beyond the poetic mirroring of the ebbs and flows of the seasons, chapter three posits a deep philosophical question about free will. \u201cHe brings everything to pass precisely at its time; He also puts eternity in their mind, but without man ever guessing, from first to last, all the things that God brings to pass\u201d (verse 11).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n If God knows the future, then how can man have free will? If God knows everything that comes to pass, how does man have the ability to make independent decisions? According to Solomon, God knows exactly when certain things are meant to happen, and God makes these things occur at precisely the right time. At the same time, God allows humans to be aware of the vastness of space and time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n But when humans are preoccupied with these grand questions, they often overlook the miracles that happen every day.\u00a0 The flow of the seasons and the mundane things that happen all have a real effect on the lives of humans. Free will exists within this structure.\u00a0 In Solomon\u2019s view, God sets things up that keep humans moving on a certain path. Free will is influenced, but not controlled by God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n This view sounds like the TVA in Marvel\u2019s Loki. The TVA is a group whose job it is to secure the sacred timeline, jumping in at certain points to delete any variant. Variants are people who choose to act out of free will in a way that goes against what the timeline requires setting off an alternate dangerous timeline. Is that the same answer that Solomon posits? Or is Solomon\u2019s view different? It seems like in Solomon\u2019s version humans are not restricted from acting out of the timeline, just that God creates a set of circumstances that narrow the options.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Is that free will?<\/span><\/p>\r\n Image: Loki, Cosplay at Long Beach Comic Con 2013 \/ wikimedia<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":96549,"alt":"","title":"ecc3-loki marvel tva","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","width":416,"height":599,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva-208x300.jpg","medium-width":208,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","medium_large-width":416,"medium_large-height":599,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","large-width":416,"large-height":599,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","1536x1536-width":416,"1536x1536-height":599,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","2048x2048-width":416,"2048x2048-height":599,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","post_full_size-width":416,"post_full_size-height":599,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva-292x420.jpg","home_baner-width":292,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"God\u2019s Knowledge And Free Will","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The difference between God\u2019s universe, and Marvel\u2019s\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":96549,"alt":"","title":"ecc3-loki marvel tva","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","width":416,"height":599,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva-208x300.jpg","medium-width":208,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","medium_large-width":416,"medium_large-height":599,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","large-width":416,"large-height":599,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","1536x1536-width":416,"1536x1536-height":599,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","2048x2048-width":416,"2048x2048-height":599,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva.jpg","post_full_size-width":416,"post_full_size-height":599,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc3-loki-marvel-tva-292x420.jpg","home_baner-width":292,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Ecclesiastes","chapter":"3","chapter_main_number":"810","date":"20281005","wall_id":"810"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":7,"id":"96615","color":"#e0e9ef","size":"1","name":"Two Is Human, Three Is\u2026. ","post_title":"Two Is Human, Three Is\u2026.","slug":"two-is-human-three-is","old_id":"96615","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":46656,"post_title":"Molly Morris","slug":"molly-morris","old_id":"46656","first_name":"Molly ","last_name":"Morris ","description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Her particular area of interest is biblical leadership. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":92561,"alt":"","title":"molly morris","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","width":2192,"height":2488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-264x300.jpg","medium-width":264,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-768x872.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":872,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-902x1024.jpg","large-width":902,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","1536x1536-width":1353,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","2048x2048-width":1804,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-1057x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1057,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-370x420.jpg","home_baner-width":370,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"811","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Who is the third partner that renders the unity of people so powerful?\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" At the beginning of Ecclesiastes 4, King Solomon makes an observation of something that is clearly troubling him: \u201cI saw all the oppressed\u2026and they have no consoler. From the hands of their oppressors there is power, but they have no consoler.\u201d The failure of the non-oppressed to come to the aid of the oppressed is so distressing that Solomon mentions the lack of consolers twice in this opening verse. The solution to this observed societal breakdown comes just a few verses later with the declaration that \u201cTwo are better than one (4:9).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n King Solomon provides three examples of the benefits of two over one: to raise you up when you fall, either physically or spiritually according to the Saadyah Gaon; to comfort one another; and to protect one another from adversaries (including those who seek to oppress.) But then, he goes one step further: \u201cA three-ply cord is not easily severed (4:12).\u201d So, if two is better than one, then three is better than two. Who is the third partner that renders the unity of people so powerful?<\/span><\/p>\r\n The relevance of three is embedded in our history. Three Patriarchs formed the foundation of Judaism. The Jewish nation is commanded to observe three annual pilgrimage festivals. There are three parts to our holy scripture: the written Torah, the Prophets and the Writings. The common element in all of these \u2018threes\u2019 is the presence of God building, protecting and elevating a nation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n The first collaborative achievement of the Jewish nation was the building of the Tabernacle in the desert, the predecessor to the Temple in Jerusalem built by King Solomon. From the time the Israelites left Egypt until that point, their self-absorption was evident in their constant complaints: the water was bitter, there wasn\u2019t enough food, there was insufficient water. And yet, throughout the lengthy, detailed description of the hard work of building the Tabernacle in that very same desert, we hear not one single complaint. They worked together, they supported each other and undoubtedly must have consoled one another through the laborious task. The result of this unity was that they created a place in which God would dwell.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Two were better than one. A group of individuals were transformed into a compassionate and constructive society, a nation finally free from the bonds of oppression when they worked together. Two made them a nation. But three, with God as the third partner, made them a holy nation. Perhaps King Solomon is trying to remind us of that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":77513,"alt":"","title":"amos7-three strikes","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes.jpg","width":1920,"height":1357,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-300x212.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":212,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-768x543.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":543,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-1024x724.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":724,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1086,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1357,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-1200x848.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":848,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-594x420.jpg","home_baner-width":594,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Two Is Human, Three Is\u2026.","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Who is the third partner that renders the unity of people so powerful?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":77513,"alt":"","title":"amos7-three strikes","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes.jpg","width":1920,"height":1357,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-300x212.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":212,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-768x543.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":543,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-1024x724.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":724,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1086,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1357,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-1200x848.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":848,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/amos7-three-strikes-594x420.jpg","home_baner-width":594,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Ecclesiastes","chapter":"4","chapter_main_number":"811","date":"20281008","wall_id":"811"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":8,"id":"96610","color":"#faeed8","size":"1","name":"A Single Woman Argues with Ecclesiastes ","post_title":"A Single Woman Argues with Ecclesiastes","slug":"a-single-woman-argues-with-ecclesiastes","old_id":"96610","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":45274,"post_title":"Erika Dreifus","slug":"erika-dreifus","old_id":"45274","first_name":"Erika ","last_name":"Dreifus ","description":"Erika Dreifus, a Fellow in the Sami Rohr Jewish Literary Institute, is the author of Birthright: Poems (Kelsay Books, 2019) and Quiet Americans: Stories (2011). Please visit Erika online at www.ErikaDreifus.com and follow her on Twitter @ErikaDreifus, where she tweets \u201con matters bookish and\/or Jewish.\u201d Photo credit: Jody Christopherson.\r\n","short_description":"Erika Dreifus, a Fellow in the Sami Rohr Jewish Literary Institute, is the author of Birthright: Poems (Kelsay Books, 2019) and Quiet Americans: Stories (2011). ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":72309,"alt":"","title":"Erika Dreifus photo by Jody Christopherson-1","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1.jpg","width":5184,"height":3456,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Erika-Dreifus-photo-by-Jody-Christopherson-1-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"811","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Are two really better than one?\r\n","post_main_content_content":" Two are better than one<\/em> The fifth chapter of Kohelet urges us to fulfill our vows to God (verses 1-7) and continues to insist that riches are meaningless (verses 8-16). Our Chapter ends<\/span> (verses 17-19)<\/span><\/a> on a more positive note, with the Preacher\u2019s declaration: \u201cOnly this, I have found, is a real good: that one should eat and drink and get pleasure with all the gains he makes under the sun, during the numbered days of life that God has given him; for that is his portion. Also, whenever a man is given riches and property by God and is also permitted by Him to enjoy them and to take his portion and get pleasure for his gains\u2014that is a gift of God. For [such a man] will not brood much over the days of his life, because God keeps him busy enjoying himself\u201d. The idea that one should enjoy eating and drinking is echoed in<\/span> Kohelet 2:24<\/span><\/a> and again in the famous phrase in<\/span> Kohlet 8:15<\/span><\/a>: \u201cEat, drink and be merry\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\r\n This may seem to some an unusual Biblical instruction. However,<\/span> Rashi<\/span><\/a> explains that the \u201cadditional soul\u201d (<\/span>neshamah yeterah<\/span><\/em>) which a Jew receives on Shabbat refers to an expansiveness of the heart which allows for tranquility, delight and being at ease. As a result, one can eat and drink what his soul finds appetizing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n According to<\/span> Midrash Kohelet Rabbah 5:17<\/span><\/a> (see also<\/span> 2:24<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> 8:15<\/span><\/a>) Rabbi Tanhuma taught that all the eating and drinking mentioned in the Scroll of Kohelet refers to Torah and good deeds. Rabbi Yonah added that the clearest proof of this is found in the last reference to this idea in the Scroll of Kohelet: \u201cFor the only good a man can have under the sun is to eat and drink and enjoy himself. That much can accompany him, in exchange for his labor (<\/span>ba<\/span>-<\/span>\u2018amalo<\/span><\/em>), through the days of life that God has granted him under the sun\u201d (<\/span>Kohelet 8:15<\/span><\/a>). But read not <\/span>ba-\u2018amalo<\/em> <\/span>but <\/span>be-\u2018olamo<\/em> <\/span>\u201cin his world\u201d (i.e. during his lifetime in this world). Do, then, food and drink accompany a man to the grave? What does accompany him? Torah and good deeds!<\/span> Midrash Zuta<\/span><\/a> to Kohelet 5:17 elaborates on this midrash by interpreting the phrases \u201cthat God has given him \u2013 <\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/i>asher natan lo Ha-Elohim<\/span><\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/i> as referring to Scripture (<\/span>Miqra<\/span><\/em>\u2019<\/span><\/i>, i.e. Written Torah), \u201cand property \u2013 <\/span>nekhasim<\/span><\/em>\u201d <\/span><\/i>as<\/span> referring to Mishnah (i.e. Oral Torah), so that there is nothing lacking for the soul.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Significantly, Kohelet was chosen as the Biblical Scroll to be read on the holiday of Sukkot.<\/span> Professor David Golinkin<\/span><\/a> has detailed the various reasons given for this practice. Among these various sources he cites Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe (<\/span>Levush<\/span><\/em> to <\/span>Orah Hayyim<\/span><\/em> 663:2), who reasons that Kohelet is read on Sukkot because it is referred to as \u201cthe time of our rejoicing --<\/span> zeman simchatenu<\/span><\/a><\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/i>. And Kohelet urges people to rejoice in their portion. For a person who enjoys what he has, \u201cthat is a gift from God \u2013 <\/span>zoh mattat Elohim hi<\/span><\/em>\u2019<\/span><\/i>\u201d (<\/span>Kohelet 5:18<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":96676,"alt":"","title":"ecc5-eat drink merry meal feast","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":683,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast.jpg","2048x2048-width":1024,"2048x2048-height":683,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast.jpg","post_full_size-width":1024,"post_full_size-height":683,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Gift From God","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Eating, drinking and being merry, that is","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":96676,"alt":"","title":"ecc5-eat drink merry meal feast","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":683,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast.jpg","2048x2048-width":1024,"2048x2048-height":683,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast.jpg","post_full_size-width":1024,"post_full_size-height":683,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc5-eat-drink-merry-meal-feast-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Ecclesiastes","chapter":"5","chapter_main_number":"812","date":"20281009","wall_id":"812"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":10,"id":"96702","color":"#f7e9e9","size":"1","name":"Progress ","post_title":"Progress","slug":"progress","old_id":"96702","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36669,"post_title":"Yakov Azriel","slug":"yakov-azriel","old_id":"36669","first_name":"Yakov ","last_name":"Azriel","description":"Yakov Azriel, who lives in Israel, has published five books of poetry in the USA and hundreds of poems in journals and magazines. His poems have won twenty-two prizes in international poetry competitions, and he has twice been awarded fellowships from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture.","short_description":"Yakov Azriel is an English language poet who lives in Israel","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36670,"alt":"","title":"Yakov.Azriel.Photo","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","width":1099,"height":1519,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-217x300.jpg","medium-width":217,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-741x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":741,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-741x1024.jpg","large-width":741,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","1536x1536-width":1099,"1536x1536-height":1519,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","2048x2048-width":1099,"2048x2048-height":1519,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-868x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":868,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-304x420.jpg","home_baner-width":304,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"813","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"At least there\u2019s cholent...\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"
\r\n<\/span>then tells you to seek in the world<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>and ignore its flaws.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n
\r\n<\/span>and death as it speaks<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>grasps you with claws.<\/span><\/p>\r\n
\r\nproclaimed the ancient preacher.
\r\nBecause, essentially, together they produce more income.
\r\nBut what if one cannot work?
\r\nAnd even if both are skilled and able-bodied and employable,
\r\nwho will watch the children?
\r\n
\r\nTwo are better than one<\/em>
\r\nsaid the son of David.
\r\nBecause they can lie together for warmth.
\r\nBut how can one be warm alone?
\r\nThank goodness, then, for down comforters
\r\nand modern heating.
\r\n
\r\nTwo are better than one<\/em>
\r\ndeclared the king of Jerusalem.
\r\nFor if one falls, the other shall lift; woe to the one
\r\nwho is alone when she falls.
\r\nA thought: assisted living.
\r\nAnother: Life Alert \u00ae.
\r\n
\r\nTwo are better than one<\/em>
\r\ncontinued Kohelet.
\r\nFor if an antagonist appears, the two will stand against him
\r\nwith strength one cannot possess.
\r\nHere, I have no counter-argument.
\r\nI simply\u2014singly\u2014hope for the best.
\r\n
\r\nAn earlier version of this poem was published by the Forward. Re-published on 929 with the author\u2019s permission.<\/em><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":96611,"alt":"","title":"ecc4-alone solitude one","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one.png","width":1920,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-768x768.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-1024x1024.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1920,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-1200x1200.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-420x420.png","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"A Single Woman Argues with Ecclesiastes","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Are two really better than one?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":96611,"alt":"","title":"ecc4-alone solitude one","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one.png","width":1920,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-768x768.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-1024x1024.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1920,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-1200x1200.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ecc4-alone-solitude-one-420x420.png","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Ecclesiastes","chapter":"4","chapter_main_number":"811","date":"20281008","wall_id":"811"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":9,"id":"96675","color":"#e6f5f3","size":"1","name":"Gift From God ","post_title":"Gift From God","slug":"gift-from-god","old_id":"96675","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"812","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Eating, drinking and being merry, that is\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"