Commentaire de citation sur L’Ecclésiaste 2:5

THE GEONIC PERIOD
¹The Geonim were the sages who directed the academies of Sura and Pumbedisa in Babylonia (Iraq) from 589 C.E. until the death of R. Hai Gaon in 1038 C.E.IN COMPLETING the Babylonian Talmud, they [the Babylonian scholars] produced an expansive and awe-inspiring palace, an orchard filled with every goodness,²See Koheles Rabbah, 2:10, pertaining to the verse in Eccl. 2:5, “‘I made gardens and parks for myself’ – this is the Mishnah; ‘and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit’ – this is the Talmud which is contained in them.” namely, the Torah. It teaches whatever one’s mouth would request or mind would desire. When one becomes proficient [in the Talmud] through diligent study, he readily acquires the tools to make inferences and to define the laws clearly. Whether he obtained [this knowledge] from the concealed treasures of the sands³See Deut. 33:19. of pilpul, or whether he was making inferences from the exact wording of the scholars, these methods, when grasped by those possessing sound judgment, [assure a level of understanding] that is limited only by the power of those who can repel attacks at the gates [of the houses of study].⁴See Isa. 28:6: “He will be a spirit of justice for those sitting in judgment, and [a spirit] of bravery for those who repel attacks at the gate.” The Talmud in Sanhedrin 111b comments: “Those who repel attacks at the gate” – this is one who is involved in the give-and-take of the battle of the Torah (i.e., its discussions and arguments). “At the gate” refers to those who are involved in Torah study in the synagogues and houses of study from early morning until night.”

Scripture likewise relates concerning him, And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east.⁴²I Kings 5:10. That is to say, he was better versed than they in divination and enchanting, for this was their wisdom, as it is said, For they are replenished from the east, and with soothsayers like the Philistines.⁴³Isaiah 2:6. (The Sages similarly said:⁴⁴Pesikta of Rabbi Kahana, Parah. Bamidbar Rabbah, Chapter 19. “What was the wisdom of the children of the east? They knew and were crafty in the divination of birds.”) And all the wisdom of Egypt⁴²I Kings 5:10. means that Solomon was better versed in sorcery, which is the wisdom of Egypt, and in the nature of growing things. As is known from the Book of Egyptian Agriculture,⁴⁵Mentioned in Rambam’s Moreh Nebuchim III, 29-30. Ramban also mentions it further, 11:28. Abraham ibn Ezra refers to it in his Commentary to Exodus 2:10. the Egyptians were very well versed in the matters of planting and grafting different species. Thus the Sages have said:⁴⁶Tanchuma, Kedoshim 10. “Solomon even planted peppers in the Land of Israel. How was he able to plant them? Solomon was a wise man, and he knew the essence of the foundation of the world. Why was this? [It is written] Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, G-d hath shined forth.⁴⁷Psalms 50:2. Out of Zion the whole world was perfected. How is this known? Why was it called ‘the Foundation Stone?’ Because the world was founded from it. Now Solomon knew which of its arteries extends to Ethiopia, and upon it he planted peppers, and immediately it produced fruits, for so he says, And I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.”⁴⁸Ecclesiastes 2:5.