Kommentar zu Kohelet 1:6

The wind. The sun’s desire,²⁷Ordinarily רוח means wind, but because the “sun” is the subject of this verse, Rashi defines רוח as “desire” or “will,” i.e., the sun’s desire. (Sifsei Chachomim) talent in O.F., as in, “toward wherever there was the will הָרוּחַ to go.”²⁸Yechezkeil 1:12.

“The wind goes to the south, and turns to the north; around and around the wind turns, and on its rounds the wind returns” (Ecclesiastes 1:6).
“The wind goes to the south, and turns to the north.” It “goes to the south” during the day, “and turns to the north” at night. “Around and around the wind turns, and on its rounds the wind returns” – toward the east and the west. “And on its rounds the wind returns” – Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya said: This wind, when it emerges into the world, the Holy One blessed be He weakens it in the mountains and breaks it on the hills, and He says to it: ‘Be careful that you do not harm My creations.’ What is the reason? “Because the wind, from before Me ya’atof” (Isaiah 57:16) – [I] make it faint, as it is stated: “When my soul was faint [nitatef] within me” (Jonah 2:8). Why to that extent? Because “and souls I have made” (Isaiah 57:16).
Rabbi Huna said: In three places the wind emerged disproportionately, and the wind sought to destroy the entire world with all its inhabitants: Once in the days of Job, once in the days of Elijah, and once in the days of Jonah. Once in the days of Job, as it is stated: “And behold a great wind came from across the wilderness [and smote the four corners of the house]” (Job 1:19). Once in the days of Elijah, as it is stated: “Behold, the Lord passed, and a great and strong wind, smashing mountains and breaking rocks” (I Kings 19:11). And once in the days of Jonah, as it is stated: “The Lord cast a great wind upon the sea” (Jonah 1:4). Rabbi Yehuda bar Shalom said: That wind that was during the days of Job was in the world only for that house alone. That of Jonah was in the world only for that ship alone. You do not have one that was worldwide other than that of Elijah, as it is stated: “He said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord” (I Kings 19:11).³¹This phrase indicates that the wind was everywhere, as the entire world is “before the Lord” (Midrash HaMevoar). Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Tanḥum [said], and some say it in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: The messianic king will never come until all the souls that entered His mind to be created will live, and these are the souls that are stated in the book of Adam the first man, as it is stated: “This is the book of the descendants of Adam” (Genesis 5:1).

And upon its circuits [the wind] returns. Also tomorrow, the entire circuit and encircling that it went around yesterday, it encircles and goes around today.²⁹The expression הולך [goes] is used for moving toward the south [symbolic of wisdom] and סובב [goes round, circles] is used for moving toward the north [symbolic of wealth]. הולך denotes going without purpose whereas סובב implies a determined action. Koheles hints that man pursues wisdom with indifference, whereas his pursuit of wealth he does with great effort and determination. (Toldos Aharon)

And upon its circuits [the wind] returns. Also tomorrow, the entire circuit and encircling that it went around yesterday, it encircles and goes around today.²⁹The expression הולך [goes] is used for moving toward the south [symbolic of wisdom] and סובב [goes round, circles] is used for moving toward the north [symbolic of wealth]. הולך denotes going without purpose whereas סובב implies a determined action. Koheles hints that man pursues wisdom with indifference, whereas his pursuit of wealth he does with great effort and determination. (Toldos Aharon)

It [the wind] goes toward the south. Always by day.

And it turns about toward the north. Always by night.

Round and round goes [the wind]. To the eastern and western sides, which it sometimes goes through by day, and sometimes circles at night. In Tammuz it goes through them, and in Teves it circles around them. Also the wicked, no matter how much their sun rises, they will ultimately set. No matter how much they gain power, they will ultimately return to their stench. From filth they came, and to filth they will return. And so —