פירוש על קהלת 5:19

For there are not many. For there is no longevity in this world.

“For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many, as it is God who responds with the joy of his heart” (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
“For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many” – this is the generation of Eli.⁷⁶This is a reference to the prophecy that Eli’s descendants would not have long lives, due to the behavior of Eli and the sins of his sons. See I Samuel 2:27–36 (Etz Yosef). “As it is God who responds with the joy of his heart” – this is Elkana, who would guide Israel and take them up to Jerusalem⁷⁷This is a textual error, and should read Shilo instead of Jerusalem (Maharzu). each and every year on a different route. That is why the verse lauds him: “This man ascended from his city from year to year” (I Samuel 1:3).

Let him remember the days of his life. For they are few and not many; so why then should he bother to accumulate wealth? Let him labor with something that endures for him in the World to Come during his lifetime.