Commentaire sur L’Ecclésiaste 6:2

Wealth [and] possessions. Its simple explanation, is its apparent meaning.

“A man to whom God gives wealth, assets, and honor, and he lacks nothing for his soul of everything that he desires, but God does not give him power to partake of it; rather a stranger partakes of it. This is vanity, and it is a grave disease” (Ecclesiastes 6:2).
“A man to whom God gives” – Rabbi Abba bar Kahana entered a synagogue and he heard the voice of Rabbi Levi sitting and expounding this verse: “A man to whom God gives wealth” – this is one well-versed in Bible; “assets” – this is one well-versed in Mishna; “and honor” – this is one well-versed in Tosefta; “and he lacks nothing for his soul of everything that he desires” – like the mishna of Rabbi Akiva, the mishna of Rabbi Ḥiyya, of Rabbi Hoshaya, and of bar Kappara;³Each of these sages had extensive collections of organized teachings referred to here as “mishna.” “but God does not give him power to partake of it” – as it is prohibited to issue halakhic rulings on their basis; “rather a stranger partakes of it” – this is one well-versed in Talmud, who impurifies and purifies, prohibits and permits. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana rose and kissed him on his head. He said to him: ‘Had I entered only to hear this homily from you, it would have sufficed.’ Rabbi Yishmael says: “The wealthy is wise in his eyes” (Proverbs 28:11), this is one well-versed in Talmud; “and the impoverished one who understands will examine him” (Proverbs 28:11), this is one well-versed in aggada.

Yet God does not give him the power to eat thereof. That he should be happy with his portion to find satisfaction in his wealth, for he strives to oppress and to accumulate much wealth, as the matter is stated, “and he is like death and is never satisfied,”²Chavakuk 2:5. and also He does not give him the power to perform charity, from which to eat in the future, but a stranger will take that money and perform charity and he will benefit from it.³According to Targum, the verse is dealing with a person who dies on account of his sins without leaving heirs. His wife marries a stranger who enjoys the estate that he left. However, the Midrash Aggadah explains it as referring to Torah study.

Wealth, possessions and honor. Scripture, Mishnah, and Aggadah.

Does not give him the power. Because he did not achieve [knowledge of] Gemara, he consequently has no benefit from his studies in any practical decision making.

For instead a stranger will enjoy them. The one who is versed in Gemara.