Commento su Ecclesiaste 2:10

I did not deny. I did not distance myself to separate from them, and similarly, “and He held back some of the spirit [that was upon him] and he gave it unto ... the elders,”¹³Bamidbar 11:25. like a candelabrum from which many candles are kindled, and none of its light is diminished.

“Everything that my eyes sought I did not keep from them; I did not withhold my heart from any joy, as my heart was joyful from all my toil, and this was my portion from all my toil” (Ecclesiastes 2:10).
“Everything that my eyes sought…I did not withhold my heart from any joy” – this is the joy of wealth. “As my heart was joyful from all my toil, and this was my portion from all my toil” – there is one who says [this is referring to] his plate, and one who says [it is referring to] his belt.³¹This is when Solomon was banished from the throne and had no access to any of his wealth, as discussed above (section 2:3). Poor wanderers would commonly have a plate with which to collect food, and all travelers would wear a belt in which they could tuck their robes so they could walk comfortably. Alternatively, “Everything that my eyes sought,” among women, “I did not keep from them.” “I did not withhold my heart from any joy” – this is joy from women. “As my heart was joyful from all my toil” – there is one who says: This is the separation of ḥalla, and there is one who says: This is the separation of libations.³²These mitzvot are performed after many stages of toil in preparing bread or wine.

And this was my portion [reward]. And after doing all these, I have nothing more than this. Rav and Shmuel, one says, his staff, and one says, his cup.¹⁴See Maseches Sanhedrin 20b. The Gemara in Maseches Eiruvin 21b states that Shlomo established eiruvei chatzeiros [a procedure which allows carrying in courtyards on Shabbos] and netilas yodayim [ritual washing of one’s hands before eating]. Accordingly, מקלו [=his staff] alludes to eiruvei chatzeiros and קידו [=cup] alludes to netilas yodayim. (R’ Eliyahu Greiditzer) מַקֵּידָה is an earthenware cup, from which people drink.¹⁵See Rashi in Maseches Sanhedrin 20b. Others in the Midrash Aggadah interpret the entire section as referring to study halls, students, and synagogues.

The forest growing with trees. The ignorant people, for working in fields and vineyards.¹⁶This Rashi on verse 6 appears to be out of place. Some texts treat the caption as part of Rashi narrative, i.e., that “the Midrash Aggadah interprets the entire section ... and synagogues, and the forest growing with trees [refers to] the ignorant people, etc.” (Sifsei Chachomim)