Hebräische Bibel
Hebräische Bibel

Quotation zu Kohelet 9:10

כֹּ֠ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּמְצָ֧א יָֽדְךָ֛ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת בְּכֹחֲךָ֖ עֲשֵׂ֑ה כִּי֩ אֵ֨ין מַעֲשֶׂ֤ה וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן֙ וְדַ֣עַת וְחָכְמָ֔ה בִּשְׁא֕וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֖ה הֹלֵ֥ךְ שָֽׁמָּה׃ (ס)

Alles, was du vermagst mit deiner Kraft zu tun, tue! Denn es gibt keine Tat und Berechnung und Kenntnis und Weisheit in dem Grabe, wohin du gehst. —

Footnotes to Kohelet by Bruce Heitler

Perhaps the realm of reward and punishment is not only after life, but also a different side of our current perception. "Sheol", which is translated here as "the abyss", conveys the idea that after death is impenetrable darkness. In contemporary physics, we find the notion of “dark matter” and “dark energy”. They cannot be directly detected, but we assume they must exist if the rest of this paradigm is to hold together. Similarly, no one can report reliably from where you are going, yet we believe in the existence of a realm we cannot directly observe. We are advised not to look to what will happen after life runs its course, any more than we can expect to find simple justice under the sun. Fantastic eschatology is a distraction, yet focusing merely on the uncertain rewards of this world is inherently unsatisfactory. The uplifting theme of Kohelet sounds throughout: Accept the portion which has been allocated to you. Diligently undertake the tasks which present themselves. Be confident that the task which lies before you is appropriate. Fulfilling the assignment to the best of your ability is the source of real joy. The consequence of this perspective is that you will be able to enjoy your days. Moreover, your worthwhile deeds may even qualify to be remembered -- probably more than any monuments you may build or fortune you may acquire. This is the gift of God, the fulfillment of the human spirit is here and now, yet it is not under the sun. Compare Pirke Avot, 4:19-22.
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