Commento su Ecclesiaste 10:19

A feast is made for laughter. For the joy of the musical entertainment at a wedding, we make a feast, and an ordinary large feast is called ‘לֶחֶם,’ as it is stated, “King Belshatzar made a great feast לֶחֶם.”³²Daniyeil 5:1.

“A feast is made for laughter, wine cheers the living, and money answers everything” (Ecclesiastes 10:18).
“A feast is made for laughter” – for revelry of idol worship one makes a feast. “Wine cheers the living” – this is the Torah, as it is stated: “The precepts of the Lord are upright, cheering the heart” (Psalms 19:9).⁸⁵In contrast to idolatry, for which one must make a feast in order to stimulate joy, Torah itself brings happiness without external stimuli (Rabbi David Luria).
“Money answers everything” – Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin [said] in the name of Rabbi Levi: At times one is answered and at times one is not answered. At times, when one performs with it [money] acts of righteousness, he is answered, as it is stated: “My righteousness will speak on my behalf” (Genesis 30:33). At times, when one does not perform with it acts of righteousness, it denounces him; this is what you say: “To give false testimony against him” (Deuteronomy 19:16).
Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, a certain neighbor called him. He saw people standing, dancing, and clapping, and [the hosts] gave them food and drink. He said: This is good. I, too, will stand, dance, and sing. He stood, danced, and sang, and they gave him a wineskin of aged wine. He read in his regard: “A feast is made for laughter.”

And wine. They give to drink at the feast, that which makes life joyful.

And money answers all things. Without money, there is no feast; therefore, a person should not neglect work, so that he will have what to spend.³³Alternatively, “money afflicts [=יענה] all,” i.e., either the abundance or lack of money causes affliction to mankind. Or, “money makes everyone respond [=יענה],” i.e., money causes people to readily listen and to obey.