전도서 5:21의 주석

To utter a word before God. To speak critically toward [God] above.¹Alternatively, “do not let your heart be hasty” to voice complaints before God, “for He is in heaven and you are on earth,” i.e., He alone knows what is good for you and whatever he does is for the best. See Maseches Berachos 61a and Maharsha there.

For God is in heaven and you are on earth. And even if the weak one is above, and the strong one below, the fear of the weak one is upon the strong one, how much more so when it is the strong one [=God] Who is above and the weak one who is below.

For a dream comes with many subjects. For it is usual for a dream to come because of the many thoughts upon which a person ponders and thinks during the day, and it is usual for the speech of a fool to come with excessive words, because by increasing his words, he utters foolishness from his mouth, for transgression is inevitable; therefore I say, “let your words be few.”²Scripture in Mishlei [17:28] states, “even a fool who is silent will be considered wise, [and] when he seals his lips [he will be considered] understanding.”

“For the dream comes with much concern; and a fool's voice with many words” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
“For the dream comes with much concern” – all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon the generation of the Flood were due to the many evil concerns in which they engaged. “And a fool’s voice with many words” – due to the many words that they expressed from their mouths, and said: “What is the Almighty that we should serve Him…” (Job 21:15).
Another matter: “For the dream comes with much concern” – all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon the generation of the Dispersion were due to the many evil concerns in which they engaged. “And a fool’s voice with many words” – as they said: “And we will make a name for ourselves…” (Genesis 11:4).
Another matter: “For the dream comes with much concern” – all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon the Sodomites were due to the many evil concerns in which they engaged. “And a fool’s voice with many words” – as they said: Let the convention of passersby be forgotten from among us;¹Let us not allow the welcoming of guests or the performance of kindness to passersby. that is what is written: “And it forgets that a foot may crush it or a beast of the field trample it” (Job 39:15).
Another matter: “For the dream comes with much concern” – all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon the Egyptians were due to the many evil concerns in which they engaged. “And a fool’s voice with many words” – as they said: “Who is the Lord that I should heed His voice…” (Exodus 5:2).
Another matter: “For the dream comes with much concern” – all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon Sisera were due to the many evil concerns in which he engaged. “And a fool's voice with many words” – as it is stated: “He oppressed the children of Israel…” (Judges 4:3).
Another matter: “For the dream comes with much concern,” all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon Sennacherib were due to the many evil concerns in which he engaged. “And a fool's voice with many words” – because he cursed and blasphemed, as it is stated: “Who among the gods of all these lands rescued their land [from my hand, that the Lord will rescue Jerusalem from my hand?”] (Isaiah 36:20).
Another matter: “For the dream comes with much concern” – all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were due to the many evil concerns in which they engaged, as it is stated: “They denied the Lord” (Jeremiah 5:12).
Another matter: “For the dream comes with much concern” – all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon Nebuchadnezzar were due to the many evil concerns in which he engaged, as it is stated: “Who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Daniel 3:15).
Another matter “For the dream comes with much concern” – all the pain and suffering that the Holy One blessed be He brought upon Belshatzar were due to the many evil concerns in which he engaged, as it is written: “They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver…” (Daniel 5:4).
Likewise, you find regarding Pharaoh,²You find a dream that comes with much concern. as it is stated: “It was at the end of two full years [that Pharaoh dreamed]” (Genesis 41:1). Pharaoh said:³This is stated concerning the conclusion of the verse from Ecclesiastes, “and a fool’s voice with many words.” Who watches over whom; is it I over my god or my god over me? Is it not I who watches over my god? That is what is written: “It was at the end of two full years [that Pharaoh dreamed, and behold, he was standing over the Nile].”⁴Pharaoh was standing watch over the Nile, his god.
Likewise you find regarding Aḥashverosh; Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon said: All night, Aḥashverosh was seeing Haman standing over him, with his sword drawn in his hand, removing his royal garment from upon him and his crown from upon his head, and seeking to kill him. He would awaken and say: What is this dream? This is a vision.⁵This is a prophetic vision from Heaven (Etz Yosef). Alternatively, this is but a vision, an inconsequential dream (Maharzu). Until when? Until the morning came. The king said: “Who is in the courtyard?” (Esther 6:4). They said to him: “Behold, it is Haman standing in the courtyard” (Esther 6:5). He said: ‘This is the dream’; “for the dream comes with much concern.” “Haman had come to the outer courtyard of the king’s palace, to say to the king to hang Mordekhai on the gallows that he had prepared for him” (Esther 6:4), [for himself] and for his comrades.⁶The verse could have sufficed with “that he had prepared.” “Him” is an allusion to Haman himself and his sons. [Similarly] it is written: “He prepared weapons of death for himself; his arrows will act against pursuers [ledolekim]” (Psalms 7:14).⁷These evildoers prepared weapons, but they themselves will ultimately be killed by them. What is ledolekim? Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] said: These are the wicked who cast fire [delek] upon them. Rabbi Yaakov of Kefar Ḥanan said: These are those who ignited the fire in the destruction of the Temple. The Rabbis say: These are the pursuers of Israel, as it is written: “On the mountains they pursued us” (Lamentations 4:19).
“Haman said in his heart” (Esther 6:6) – the wicked are under the control of their heart, as it is stated: “Esau said in his heart” (Genesis 27:41), “Yerovam said in his heart” (I Kings 12:26). However, the righteous, their hearts are under their control, as it is written: “Hannah, she was speaking to her heart” (I Samuel 1:13), “David said to his heart” (I Samuel 27:1), “Daniel resolved in his heart” (Daniel 1:8).⁸Literally: Daniel placed upon his heart. They are similar to their Creator, as it is stated: “The Lord said to His heart” (Genesis 8:21).
Rabbi Levi and the Rabbis: Rabbi Levi said: They think evil in their heart, and I think good in My heart.⁹This is stated from the perspective of God. The wicked plan to do evil to the righteous, but I ensure that the righteous will not be harmed. They think evil in their heart, and I judge them regarding their heart, as it is stated: “Their sword will come into their heart” (Psalms 37:15).
“Haman said in his heart” (Esther 6:6) – immediately, Haman responded and said: “Let them bring a royal garment” (Esther 6:8). He said to [Aḥashverosh]: ‘You have many garments, but [have them bring] the “royal garment,” the one that you wore on the day that you were crowned.’ “And a horse upon which the king has ridden” (Esther 6:8) – he said to [Aḥashverosh]: ‘You have many horses, but [have them bring] the horse upon which you rode on the day you were crowned.’ “And on whose head the royal crown was placed” (Esther 6:8) – when [Haman] mentioned the crown to him, his face contorted. [Aḥashverosh] said: ‘His time has come.’ That is what is written: “For the dream comes with much concern; and a fool's voice with many words.”

He has no desire in fools. The Holy One, Blessed Is He, has no pleasure in the wicked who vow and do not pay.

“It is better that you do not vow, than that you vow and do not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:4).
“It is better that you do not vow” – Rabbi Meir said: Better than both is one who does not vow at all, but rather brings his sheep to the Temple Courtyard, consecrates it, and slaughters it, as it is stated: “If you refrain from vowing, [there will be no sin in you]” (Deuteronomy 23:23).
Rabbi Huna said: There was an incident involving one who vowed and did not pay. He set sail in the Mediterranean Sea, and his ship sank in the sea and he died. Rabbi Shmuel said: Anyone who vows and does not pay causes for himself that his wife will die, as it is written: “I, when I came from Padan, Rachel died on me…” (Genesis 48:7).
Rabbi Shmuel bar Yitzḥak said: Anyone who vows and does not pay causes [himself] to come to four transgressions: Idol worship, forbidden sexual relations, bloodshed, and slander, and all of them are derived from Jacob.¹⁰While fleeing Esau, Jacob took a vow that he was to fulfill upon his return to Canaan (see Genesis 28:20–22), but he did not fulfill it immediately upon his return. Idol worship, as it is written: “Remove the foreign gods” (Genesis 35:2). Forbidden sexual relations, as it is written: “That he had defiled Dina his daughter” (Genesis 34:5). Bloodshed, as it is written: “Jacob’s two sons, […each] took [his sword…and killed all the males]” (Genesis 34:25). And slander, as it is written: “He heard the words of Laban’s sons [saying: Jacob has taken everything that was our father’s]” (Genesis 31:1).
Rabbi Mana said: Anyone who vows and does not pay causes death to come upon him, as it is stated: “For the Lord your God will demand it of you [and it will be a sin for you]” (Deuteronomy 23:22), and Rabbi Ami said: There is no death without sin, and there is no suffering without iniquity. There is no death without sin, as it is stated: “The soul that sins, it will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). And there is no suffering without iniquity, as it is stated: “I will punish their transgressions with a rod and their iniquity with plagues” (Psalms 89:33).

Do not permit your mouth. [By uttering] a vow.

Do not permit your mouth. [By uttering] a vow.

“Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was unwitting; why should God grow angry at your voice, and destroy your handiwork?” (Ecclesiastes 5:5)
“Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin” – Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi interpreted the verse regarding those who pledge charity in public, but do not give it. “And do not say before the messenger” – this is the pledge collector; “that it was unwitting” – and I have reconsidered. “Why should God grow angry at your voice” – at that voice with which you uttered [your pledge]. “And destroy your handiwork” – the few mitzvot that this man has, the Holy One blessed be He introduces a curse in them and eradicates them from him.
Rabbi Binyamin interpreted the verse regarding those who engage in Torah disingenuously: “Do not allow your mouth” – do not give your mouth permission; “to cause your flesh to sin” – to cause your body to sin in your study.¹¹This means: Do not speak in such a way that you cause yourself to sin, as the midrash will continue to explain. Alternatively, it may be interpreted to mean that you cause your body to suffer, as you will be punished for your sin. “And do not say before the messenger” – this is the rabbi; “that it was unwitting”¹²This is referring to one who claims to be expert in his studies although he is not. If he is discovered to have made a mistake, he claims to the rabbi who made this discovery that his statement was accidental and he really knows the issue at hand. – he renders himself as though well versed in Bible, but he is not well versed in Bible, well versed in Mishna, but he is not well versed in Mishna. “Why should God grow angry at your voice” – at the voice with which you said: This halakha he told me, this chapter he told me; “and destroy your handiwork” – the few halakhot that this man knows, the Holy One blessed be He introduces forgetfulness and curse in them and eradicates them from him.
The Rabbis interpreted the verse regarding one who takes a vow. “Before the messenger” – this is the Sage; “that it was unwitting” – I did not take a vow.¹³I did not realize how circumstances would develop when I took my vow, and therefore you should accept this claim as an extenuation to absolve me of my vow. “Why should God grow angry” – that you introduced an extenuation to the vow; “and destroy your handiwork” – even the limited property that is in the possession of that man, the Holy One blessed be He introduces a curse in him and eradicates it from him.
Rav Huna interpreted the verse regarding slander. “Do not allow your mouth” – to speak slander; “before the messenger” – this is the body; “that it was unwitting” – I did not [intend to] speak slander; “and destroy your handiwork” – the sinews and bones that are in the body of that man, the Holy One blessed be He introduces consumption and fever in them and eradicates them from him.
Rabbi Mani interpreted the verse regarding Miriam. “Do not allow your mouth” – this is Miriam; “to cause your flesh to sin” – as she spoke slander regarding Moses: “Was it only with Moses [that the Lord spoke]?” (Numbers 12:2). “Before the messenger” – this is Moses, as it is stated: “He sent a messenger [and took us out of Egypt] (Numbers 20:16). “That it was unwitting” – [as it is stated:] “that we have been foolish and we have sinned” (Numbers 12:11). “Why should God grow angry at your voice” – [as it is stated:] “Miriam…spoke [against Moses]” (Numbers 12:1). “And destroy your handiwork” – [this is] Miriam, who spoke with her mouth and all her limbs were stricken.
Rabbi Yehoshua taught: A word for a sela, silence for two, like a jewel.¹⁴Silence is very valuable, like a jewel; more valuable than speech. Rabbi said: The remedy of the matter is silence, as it is taught there in Avot (1:17): Shimon his son says: All my days I grew among the Sages, but I found nothing for the body better than silence.

To bring guilt on your flesh. That He should visit the iniquity upon your children.³According to Rashi, בשרך means children, as in, “and do not hide yourself from your kin [ומבשרך],” in Yeshayahu 58:7. Alternatively, it can be understood literally, i.e., do not let the vain vows made by your mouth to bring punishment upon your flesh [=yourself=בשרך]. See Maseches Shavuos 39a.

Nor say before the angel. The representative who comes to demand of you the charity that you publicly pledged.⁴Alternatively, “an angel of God” who keeps and records all of man’s utterances (Ibn Ezra); or מלאך refers to “a Torah scholar” who is called upon to annul vows. (Sforno)

That it was an error. I pledged it in error, I thought that I would have the ability to give.

And destroy the work of your hands. [I.e.,] the commandments that were in your hands, that you had already performed, will cause them to be lost [=destroyed].⁵Alternatively, מעשה ידיך refers to the “children” of one who fails to fulfill his vows, who die as a result. It is expounded in this manner in the Midrash.

By your voice. Because of your voice.

For in the multitude of dreams, etc. For all that they tell you — dreams, false prophets, and idle chatter — to separate from the Omnipresent.

“So it is with a multitude of dreams and vanities and many words; rather, fear God” (Ecclesiastes 5:6).
“So it is with a multitude of dreams and vanities and many words; rather, fear God” – Rabbi said: If you saw harsh dreams or harsh and unnatural visions, or if you fear them, jump to three matters and you will be saved from them, as Rabbi Yudan said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: There are three matters that abrogate evil decrees, and they are: Prayer, charity, and repentance. All three are in one verse; this is what is written: “My people, upon whom My name is called, will submit, and pray, and seek My countenance, and repent their evil ways; I will hear from the heavens, and forgive their sin and heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14). “And pray” – this is prayer; “and seek my countenance” – this is charity, as you say: “I will behold your countenance in righteousness” (Psalms 17:15);¹⁵The same Hebrew root, tzedek, or tzedaka, can be translated as either charity or righteousness. “and repent their evil ways” – this is repentance. Then, “I will hear from the heavens…” Rabbi Mona said: Fasting as well, as it is stated: “The Lord will answer you on your day of trouble” (Psalms 20:2).¹⁶From the fact that the verse says, “day,” and not time of trouble, the midrash understands that the reference is to a day of fasting.
Rabbi Ḥiyya and Rabbi Yosei say: A change of name and a change of action, as well. Some say even a change of place, as it is written: “Go for yourself from your land” (Genesis 12:1). A change of name [is derived] from Abraham our patriarch, as it is stated: “Your name will no longer be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham” (Genesis 17:5). Abram cannot beget, Abraham can beget; Sarai cannot bear a child, Sarah can bear a child.¹⁷God changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah when they were ninety-nine and eighty-nine years old respectively and bereft of children. In the same context, He promised them that they would have many descendants (see Genesis 17:1–16). The implication is that although Abram and Sarai could not have children, their name changes would enable them to do so. A change in action, from Nineveh, as it is stated: “God saw their actions, [that they turned from their evil way; and God reconsidered the harm that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it]” (Jonah 3:10).
Rabba bar Meḥseya and Ḥama bar Gurya say: A fast is effective for a dream like fire for tow. Rav Ḥisda said: On that day. Rav Yosef said: Even on Shabbat. Likewise, you find regarding Hezekiah king of Judah; when Hezekiah fell ill, the Holy One blessed be He said to Isaiah: ‘Go say to him: “Set your house in order, as you will die and will not live”’ (Isaiah 38:1). Hezekiah said to Isaiah: ‘Isaiah, the way of the world is that a person who goes to visit the ill says to him: May they have mercy upon you from Heaven, and the doctor goes to him and says: Eat this item and do not eat that item; drink this and do not drink that. Even if he sees him approaching death, he would not say to him: Set your house in order, so he will not be discouraged; yet you say to me: “Set your house in order, as you will die and will not live”? I, too, do not ascribe importance to you and I will not heed your words, and I adopt only what my ancestor¹⁸Solomon said: “So it is with a multitude of dreams and vanities and many words…”’¹⁹Even prophetic dreams can be nullified and thereby rendered vanity, if one fulfills the conclusion of the verse, which states to “fear God.” This can be expressed via prayer, fasting, and repentance (Maharzu).
Immediately, “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall [hakir] [and prayed to the Lord]” (Isaiah 38:2). To which wall did he direct his face? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: He directed his face to the wall of Raḥav, as it is written: “Because her house was upon the side of [bekir] the wall” (Joshua 2:15). He said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, Raḥav rescued two souls for You and how many souls did You rescue for her?’ It was taught that Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai says: Even if her family numbered two hundred people and they cleaved to two hundred [additional] families [through marriage], they were all rescued by her merit. It is not written here, “all her family,” but rather, “they took out all her families” (Joshua 6:23). ‘My ancestors who assembled all the converts to You,²⁰See II Chronicles 2:16. all the more so.’²¹By their merit, You should rescue me.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: It was to the wall of the Shunamite woman that he directed his eyes, as it is written: “Let us make a [small] walled attic” (II Kings 4:10). He said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, this Shunamite woman made one wall for Elisha, and you revived her son; my ancestors who did all this tribute for you,²²This is a reference to the building of the Temple. all the more so.’
Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Yosei: It was to the walls of his heart that he directed his eyes, as it is stated: “My innards, my innards, I am trembling; the walls of my heart, my heart is murmuring” (Jeremiah 4:19). “His heart”²³This is interpreted as an allusion to the fact that Hezekiah turned to his own heart. is written.²⁴In standard editions of the Bible, it is in fact written “my heart,” not “his heart” as stated in the midrash. He said before him: ‘Master of the universe, I have surveyed the two hundred and forty-eight limbs that You formed in me, and I did not find that I angered You with any of them; all the more so that my life should be granted to me.’²⁵He said: Since it is Your way to forgive those who sin to You, all the more so should You grant me life given that I have not sinned (Etz Yosef).
The Rabbis say: He directed his eyes to the walls of the Temple, as it is written: “By their placing their threshold near My threshold…[with but a wall between Me and them]” (Ezekiel 43:8). He said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, my ancestors were great men, but were unable to pray in the Temple at all times;²⁶As they were married, they would become impure when they would have relations with their wives, and it would then be prohibited for them to enter the Temple. rather they would stand in their houses and pray, with a wall between them and the Temple. I, when I pray, have no wall between me and the Temple;²⁷Hezekiah had not married; see Berakhot 10a. all the more so that my life should be given to me.’
Immediately, “the word of the Lord was to Isaiah” (Isaiah 38:4),²⁸The following verses state: “Go, and say to Hezekiah…thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold.… I will add to your days fifteen years.” [when] he had not [even] departed from there. Isaiah said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Master of the universe, initially, you said this to me and now you say that to me. How can I go and say so?’ [God] said to [Isaiah]: ‘He is humble and will accept it from you. Moreover, what you spoke has not yet become public, as it is written: “It was, Isaiah had not departed…”’ (II Kings 20:4). When Isaiah went to him, [Hezekiah] said to him: ‘Did I not say this to you initially: I do not ascribe importance to you and I will not heed your words; [I adopt] only what my ancestor said: “So it is with a multitude of dreams and vanities…”’

Man should fear God. [The word] כִּי is an expression of “rather,” [i.e.,] do not obey the dreams, rather, “fear God.”

Oppression of the poor, perversion of justice and righteousness, etc. If you see in the province that they oppress the poor and deprive justice and righteousness.

“If you see exploitation of the poor, and the perversion of justice and integrity in the state, do not marvel at the purpose; for one higher than high is watching, and there are high ones over them” (Ecclesiastes 5:7).
“If you see exploitation of the poor” – if you see one exploiting the poor and the indigent, and the Righteous One, who lives forever, bestows tranquility and good upon him, “see…in the state [bamedina],” see in him the sentence²⁹Bamedina is expounded as a portmanteau of bam dina, they will be sentenced. of Gehenna. “For one higher” – these are the angels; “and there are high ones over them” – this is the Holy One blessed be He.
Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina interpreted the verse regarding Esau. If you saw Esau in the great city of Rome³⁰The Sages considered the Romans to be descendants of Esau. exploiting the poor and robbing the indigent, and the Holy One blessed be He bestows tranquility upon him, you will [yet] see in him the attribute of justice.³¹Rome will eventually be punished. “Do not marvel” regarding what the old man³²Isaac said and his wish was fulfilled, as it is stated: “Behold, of the fat of the earth will be your dwelling” (Genesis 27:39). “For one higher” – these are the ministers, governors, and commanders. “And there are high ones over them” – this is the King who lives forever. Rabbi Aḥa said: From the “behold” of flesh and blood you learn of the “behold” of the Holy One blessed be He. Just as the “behold” of flesh and blood provided life for an entire people in this world, as it is stated: “Behold, I have given Haman’s house to Esther” (Esther 8:7), when the “behold” of the Holy One blessed be He comes, as it is stated: “Behold, a day of the Lord is coming, [and your spoil shall be divided in your midst]” (Zechariah 14:1), all the more so.³³If the “behold” of Aḥashverosh granted the Jews great wealth from Haman, who was a descendant of Esau, all the more so that the Jews will benefit when God upholds His prophecy beginning with “behold.”

Do not be astonished. About the will of the Omnipresent, when He exacts retribution upon them.

For One higher than the high watches. And sees their deeds, and there are higher ones⁶I.e., angels. over them who carry out the mission of the Omnipresent, and their hand is strong to punish them.

Perversion of justice. Deprivation of justice. Since it is in the construct [i.e., possessive] state, גֵּזֶל is vowelized with a small patach [=segol],⁷Apparently Rashi’s text is not like our edition where גזל is vowelized with a tzeireh. for were it not possessive, גָּזֵל would be vowelized with a kametz. Another explanation: If you see that they oppress the poor and deprive [them of] justice, and you see charity coming toward the city, [i.e.,] that the Holy One, Blessed Is He, lavishes goodness upon them and does not mete out retribution upon them, do not wonder about the will of the Omnipresent, for so is His custom, to be slow to anger.

For One higher than the high watches. He waits until their measure is filled.

And there are high ones. He has [many agents] over them to punish them when their time of visitation arrives, as in, “you do not wait תִּשְׁמוֹר for my sin,”⁸Iyov 14:16. [and as in,] “awaiting שֹׁמֵר the realization,”⁹Yeshayahu 26:2. [and as in,] “awaited שָׁמַר the matter.”¹⁰Bereishis 37:11. God waits, but ultimately He will punish them in the proper time.

The profit of the earth is desired by all. And the loftiness of the earth’s dwellers, who are haughty and provoke the Omnipresent; “is desired by all,” in everything, he performs His mission to punish them, even through gnats, as He did to Titus.¹¹See Maseches Gittin 56b for details of Titus’ punishment. When God created His world, He did not create a single thing without a purpose, according to the Gemara in Maseches Shabbos 77b.

“The advantage of land is in every way, a king is subservient to a field. One who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor one who loves abundance with produce; this too is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:8–9).
“The advantage of land is in every way” – Rabbi Yehuda says: Even matters that you consider superfluous in the world are [an important] part of the existence of the world, like fiber to make rope, a thorn bush to fence a garden; they are [an important] part of the existence of the world.
“A king is subservient to a field” – even a king who reigns from one end of the world to the other end, “he is subservient to a field” – he asks and says: Has the field produced? Has the field not produced? Therefore, “one who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor one who loves abundance with produce,” as anyone who avidly pursues riches, but does not have land, what benefit does he have?
Rabbi Yishmael ben Rabbi Yosei and Rabbi Ḥanin say: It is written: “Everyone who grasps an oar will disembark from their ships; sailors and all navigators of the sea will stand upon the land” (Ezekiel 27:29). Do we not know that it is land on which they stand? Rather, if the ship of one of them sinks and he has land ashore, it supports him.³⁴If one’s livelihood is only from trade, he can easily lose everything if his ship goes down at sea. If he owns land, he can plant crops and be sustained in a less risky manner. If he has no land, there is no greater vanity.

The king himself is subject to the soil. The Holy One, Blessed Is He, became subservient to Tzion to demand from her destroyers for [their] mistreatment [of Tzion], and to reward her builders.

Rabbi Neḥemya says: “The advantage of land is in every way.” Matters that appear as though they are beyond the scope of the Torah, like the addenda³⁵This is a reference to tannaitic literature not included in the Mishna. of the study hall of Rabbi and the addenda of the study hall of Rabbi Natan, the laws of converts and slaves, they too were given to Moses from Sinai. And like the laws of ritual fringes, phylacteries, and mezuzot, they are included in the Torah, as it is written: “The Lord gave me the two tablets of stone inscribed with the finger of God, and on them were all the matters [kekhol hadevarim]” (Deuteronomy 9:10), and it is written: “All the mitzva [hamitzva] that I am commanding you…” (Deuteronomy 8:1), Kol, kekhol; devarim, hadevarim; mitzva, hamitzva³⁶These words contain superfluous prefixes, as the verses could have said kol, devarim, and mitzva, but instead says kekhol, hadevarim, and hamitzva. All these prefixes are amplifications that serve to include the types of Torah study detailed in the midrash. – [to teach that] Bible, Mishna, halakha, Talmud, addenda, aggadot, and even what a distinguished disciple is destined to say before his teacher, all these were given as a halakha to Moses from Sinai. “King” – this is a master of Talmud; “Subservient to a field” – this is the master of the Mishna, who hoes the halakha before him.³⁷Just as one hoes in order to eventually reap the crops, one who masters the Mishna is then able to analyze the mishnayot and apply them as necessary. Rabbi Yaakov bar Avuna said in the name of Rabbi Yosei: One who learned but did not teach, there is no greater vanity than this.
The Rabbis say: Even things in the world that you consider to be superfluous, like flies, fleas, and gnats, they too are included in the creation of the world, as it is stated: “[The heavens and the earth] were completed, [with all their host]” (Genesis 2:1).

“King” – this is the Holy One blessed be He; “is subservient [ne’evad] to a field” – this is Zion, as it is stated: “Zion will be plowed like a field” (Micah 3:12).³⁸The midrash interprets this to mean that God, the King, is worshipped [ne’evad] in the Temple, in Zion. Therefore, “one who loves silver,” who loves mitzvot, “will not be satisfied” with the mitzvot.³⁹He will want more mitzvot. And if one does not have a mitzva that is fixed for the generations,⁴⁰That will have a long-term effect. what benefit does he have?⁴¹After his death. As Moses, how many mitzvot and acts of righteousness did he perform, and he has a mitzva fixed for the generations, as it is written: “Then Moses designated three cities” (Deuteronomy 4:41).⁴²Although Moses had done many mitzvot during his lifetime, and the three cities he designated as cities of refuge would not function in that capacity until the Israelites settled the Land of Israel, he nonetheless made sure to designate them before he died so as to fulfill a mitzva with a lasting effect.

Another matter: “The advantage of land [is in every way]…” – the Holy One blessed be He said to the prophets: What do you believe, that if you do not go on My mission that I have no emissary? That is, “the advantage of land is in every way”; I can accomplish My mission with anything. Rabbi Aḥa said: Even by means of a snake, by means of a scorpion, by means of a gnat, and even by means of a frog.
The wicked Titus entered the Holy of Holies with a drawn sword in his hand and he cut the curtain. He seized two prostitutes in his hand and engaged in relations with them atop the altar. He emerged with his sword full of blood. Some say that it was blood of sacrifices and some say it was the blood of the Yom Kippur goat.⁴³The reference is to offerings whose blood is sprinkled on the curtain dividing between the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies. He began cursing and blaspheming and saying: There is no comparison between one who wages war with a king in the wilderness and defeats him and one who wages war with a king in his house and defeats him. What did he do? He gathered all the Temple vessels into a net and boarded a ship. When he set sail, a large wave struck him in the sea. He said: It appears that the God of this nation has power only in the water. He exacted retribution against the generation of Enosh only with water,⁴⁴See Bereshit Rabba 90:6. and I, too, when I was in His house, He was unable to stand against me; now, He has confronted me here. The Holy One blessed be He said: Oh, wicked one son of a wicked one, by your life, with the smallest creature I created during the six days of Creation, I will exact retribution from this wicked one.
Immediately, the Holy One blessed be He scolded the sea and it calmed from its raging. [Titus] emerged from there. When he reached Rome, all the residents of Rome emerged and lauded him: Capturer of the barbarians. Immediately, they heated the bathhouse for him and he bathed. When he emerged, they blended him a goblet of a post-bath elixir of wine. The Holy One blessed be He arranged a gnat for him in the cup; it entered into his nostril and began gnawing at his brain. It continued eating until it grew and was like the fledgling of a dove weighing two litra. [Titus] said: ‘Call doctors for him and they will split the brain of this man⁴⁵Titus referred to himself in the third person. to ascertain with what the God of this nation exacted retribution from him.’ They called the doctors, they split his brain, and found [a creature] like the fledgling of a dove weighing two litra. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Yosei said: I was there in Rome, and they placed that [gnat that was the size of a] dove on one side of the scale and two litra on one side, and they balanced each other. They placed it in a bowl; as the condition of this one changed, the condition of that one changed.⁴⁶As the condition of the gnat improved, Titus’s condition worsened. The gnat flew away, and Titus’s soul flew away to destruction and to eternal disgrace; that is, “the advantage of land.”

Rabbi Tanḥuma and Rabbi Menaḥama were relating these incidents. There was an incident involving a certain man who was standing near a river. He saw a frog laden with a scorpion and taking it across the river. He said: This one is certainly prepared to fulfill its mission. It took it across, and it fulfilled its mission.⁴⁷It bit a person. And it took it back to its place. The sound of a cry was heard in the city: So-and-so, a scorpion bit him and he died.
Rabbi Pinḥas [said] in the name of Rabbi Ḥanin of Tzippori: There was an incident involving a certain man who was reaping in the valley of Beit Tofat. He saw a shrub and crafted [it into] a wreath for his head. A certain snake came and he struck it and killed it. A certain man⁴⁸Apparently, he was a snake charmer. came and stood and examined the snake. He said: ‘I wonder, who was it who killed the snake?’ That man said: ‘I killed it.’ He saw the shrub on his head [and] said to him: ‘Can you remove that wreath from your head?’⁴⁹The second man understood that the first man was protected from the snake’s venom only due to the wreath he was wearing on his head. He said: ‘Yes.’ He said to him: ‘Can you come here [and touch] this snake with this staff?’ He said to him: ‘Yes.’ When he approached that snake, immediately his limbs fell off.
Rabbi Yannai was sitting and teaching at the entrance to the city and saw a certain snake that was agitated and was approaching. [When] he would pursue it from here, it would return from here, from that side. He said: This one is certainly prepared to fulfill its mission. Immediately the sound of a cry befell the city: So-and-so was bitten by a snake and died.
Rabbi Elazar was sitting in the bathroom; a certain Roman came and made him stand up and [the Roman] sat down [in his stead]. [Rabbi Elazar] said: This did not happen gratuitously. Immediately, a snake came and bit [the Roman], and he died. [Rabbi Elazar] read this verse in his regard: “I will place men [adam]in your stead” (Isaiah 43:4), [which he read as:] I will place Edom in your stead.⁵⁰The Sages identify Rome as Edom.
Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Rabbi Elazar was strolling on a crag over the sea at Caesarea. He saw a femur bone rolling and coming. He buried it, but it rolled [out]; he buried it, and it rolled [out again]. He said: This is prepared to fulfill its mission. Several days later, a messenger from the kingdom passed and it rolled between his feet and he stumbled, fell, and died. They went and checked in his bag, and found that it was filled with evil edicts against the Jews of Caesarea.
Rabbi Shimon ben Ḥalafta was a researcher. He had an orchard in which there was a tree stump. A hoopoe went and made a nest on it. Rabbi Shimon rose and dismantled it. What did he do? He brought a board and a nail to the entrance [to the nest] and affixed it. What did the hoopoe do? It went and brought a shrub, placed it on that nail and destroyed it. What did Rabbi Shimon do? He said: It would be best for me to conceal that [shrub] so thieves will not go and do as it did and bring destruction upon the people. Rabbi Yannai’s female donkey ate the shrub and was blinded. It ate a different shrub and recovered its sight.
There was an incident involving two men who were coming on the paths of Tiberias, one blind and one sighted, with the sighted leading the blind. They sat to rest on the way, and it happened that they ate of the shrub. The one who was blind recovered his sight, and the one who was sighted went blind. They did not move from there until the one who had been blind led the one who had been sighted.
There was an incident involving a man who ascended from Babylon.⁵¹He was travelling from Babylon to the Land of Israel. He sat to rest on the way and saw two birds fighting with each other, and one killed its counterpart. The other went and brought a shrub and placed it on the dead one and revived it. He said: It would be good for me to take this shrub and revive with it the dead in the Land of Israel. He ran and ascended; he saw a fox that was dead and cast on the way. He said: It would be good for me to test it on this fox. He placed it on it and revived it. He was walking until he reached the Ladder of Tyre. When he reached the Ladder of Tyre, he saw a lion that had been killed and cast on the way. He said: Let me test it on this one. He placed it on it and revived it. It rose against him and ate him. This is what people say: Do not perform good for the evil, and evil will not befall you. If you perform good for the evil, you have performed evil.
Rabbi Tanḥuma said: Even with water, the Holy One blessed be He accomplishes His mission. There was an incident involving one who was afflicted with boils who descended to immerse in the sea of Tiberias, and it happened that at that moment the spring of Miriam⁵²This was a spring of water that traveled with the Israelites in the wilderness and provided water for them. rose and he bathed and was cured.
Where is the spring of Miriam? Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: It is written: “And overlooks the surface of the wasteland [hayeshimon]” (Numbers 21:20), as anyone who climbs Mount Yeshimon sees a small sieve-like item in the sea of Tiberias, and this is the spring of Miriam. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The Rabbis calculated it, and it is aligned opposite the middle gate of the ancient synagogue of Serongeya.
Rabbi Huna bar Pappa said: The children of Israel sacrificed offerings on prohibited makeshift altars in the wilderness [the way they did] before the Tabernacle was established. We learned: Before the Tabernacle was established, makeshift altars were permitted and the sacrificial service was by the firstborn. Once the Tabernacle was established, the makeshift altars were prohibited and the sacrificial service was by the priests. The Israelites would violate the prohibition of makeshift altars in the wilderness, and punishments would eliminate them. The nations of the world would say: They worship in His name and He kills them in the wilderness. Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “Any man of the house of Israel who slaughters a bull or sheep.… and to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting [does not bring it]…[that man shall be cut off from among his people]” (Leviticus 17:3–4).⁵³In order to prevent them from slaughtering consecrated animals outside the Tabernacle, God commanded them to refrain from slaughtering even non-sacred animals.

He who loves money will never be satisfied with money. Whoever loves [to perform God’s] commandments never has his fill of them.¹²See the Gemara in Maseches Makkos 10a which interprets that this verse is referring to Moshe.

And he who loves abundance. Of many commandments

And he who loves abundance. Of many commandments

Will have no produce. And among them none has a specific and distinguishable commandment, e.g., the building of the Beis Hamikdosh or a synagogue, or [writing] a beautiful Torah scroll.

This too is vanity. So are these two verses expounded upon in the Midrash, and there are other suitable interpretations, but I stated this one first because it is related to the matter of, “and there are higher ones over them,” which Scripture juxtaposed to them.

Another explanation: The profit of the earth is desired by all. The reward for tilling the soil is most important of all, for even the king must be subservient to the field; if the earth produces fruits, he will eat, otherwise, he dies from hunger.

He who loves money will never be satisfied with money. He will not eat money.

And he who loves abundance. Of money.

Will have no produce. That he does not gather for himself produce, this too is vanity.¹³Alternatively, “one who loves [an] abundance” of slaves, maidservants and other household members, “will have no produce,” i.e., he will be unable to sustain his household staff, for they will consume everything (Metsudas Dovid).

Will have no produce. That he does not gather for himself produce, this too is vanity.¹³Alternatively, “one who loves [an] abundance” of slaves, maidservants and other household members, “will have no produce,” i.e., he will be unable to sustain his household staff, for they will consume everything (Metsudas Dovid).

Another explanation: The profit of the earth is desired by all. The reward of Yisroel is in all aspects of Torah, be it in Scripture, in Mishnah, or in Gemara.

He who loves money. Whoever loves Torah [study], never has his fill with it.

The king himself is subject to the soil. If the king is well versed in Scripture and Mishnah, he must still be subservient to the one well-versed in Gemara, because he arranges before him the practical decisions regarding prohibition and permissibility, ritual impurity and purity, and practical laws.

And he who loves abundance. Torah [study].

Will have no produce. One who has [knowledge of] Scripture and Mishnah, but has no [knowledge of] Gemara, what benefit does he have? All these are [expounded] in Vayikra Rabbah.

As goods increase. When the [Bnei] Yisroel improve their deeds.

“With the increase of good, those who consume it increase; what use is there for its owner, other than the sight of his eyes?” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
“With the increase of good, those who consume it increase” – Rabbi Ḥananya and Rabbi Yonatan asked Menaḥem the confectioner, and Rabbi Berekhya said in the name of Rabbi Yosei ben Ḥananya: Menaḥem the confectioner asked them:⁵⁴The midrash is presenting two traditions as to whether they asked Menaḥem or he asked them. ‘What is that [which is stated]: “He afflicted you and starved you” (Deuteronomy 8:3)? Was the manna that the Holy One blessed be He gave to the Israelites food of starvation?’ What did he do? He brought before them two cucumbers, one whole and one broken.⁵⁵The whole cucumber and the broken one were the same size. He said: ‘This whole one, how much [is it worth]?’ They said to him: ‘Two maneh.’ ‘And this broken one, how much [is it worth]?’ They said to him: ‘One maneh.’ He said to them: ‘Is the destiny of this one not to become like that one?’⁵⁶Ultimately, in the process of eating the whole one, it will become like the broken one. Why, then, is its price double? He said: ‘They are not comparable, for just as one enjoys the taste, so too he enjoys the appearance.’
Rabbi Elazar [said] in the name of Rabbi Yosei bar Zimra: Three matters were stated regarding the fig tree: It is good for eating, attractive to the eyes, and adds wisdom, and the three of them appear in a single verse. “The woman saw that the tree was good for eating” (Genesis 3:6) – from here that it was good for eating; “and that it was an enticement to the eyes” (Genesis 3:6) – from here that it is attractive to the eyes; “and that it was desirable for wisdom [lehaskil]” (Genesis 3:6) – from here that it adds wisdom. That is what is written: “A contemplation [maskil] of Eitan HaEzraḥi” (Psalms 89:1).
Likewise, Isaac says: “Prepare tasty food for me” (Genesis 27:4). He said to him: ‘Initially, I enjoyed the appearance; now I enjoy only the taste.’⁵⁷This is because Isaac’s eyes had grown dim; see Genesis 27:1. Likewise, Solomon says: “With the increase of good, those who consume it increase” – there is no comparison between one who sees his food basket empty and is hungry, and one who sees his food basket full and is satiated.⁵⁸The meaning is that seeing one’s food basket empty makes one feel hungry and seeing one’s food basket full makes one feel satiated.
A certain Samaritan asked Rabbi Meir, he said to him: ‘Will the dead [yet] live?’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘Yes’. He said to him: ‘In private or publicly?’ He said to him: ‘Publicly.’ He said to him: ‘From where can you show me [that it is so]?’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘It is not from the Bible, and not from the Mishna, but rather, from the way of the world that I respond to you.’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘There is a trustworthy person in our city, and everyone deposits with him in private and he returns it to them publicly. If one deposited it with him publicly, how will he return it to him, in private or publicly? Is it not publicly?’ He said to him: ‘Yes.’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘Do your ears not hear what your mouth speaks? People [privately] deposit with their wives a white drop, and the Holy One blessed be He publicly returns that drop to them as a fine, whole person. The dead, who goes publicly, is it not all the more so that he will come publicly? Just as he went with loud cries,⁵⁹Of mourning so he will come with loud cries.’⁶⁰Of joy and thanksgiving Rabbi Yonatan said in the name of Rabbi Yonatan of Beit Guvrin: It is written: “The grave, the barren womb” (Proverbs 30:16). What does this have to do with that? It is to say to you: Just as [a child emerges from a barren womb with loud cries, so too [the dead emerge from] the grave with loud cries.
[The Samaritan] said [to Rabbi Meir]: ‘How do they come, unclothed or clothed?’ He said to him: ‘Clothed.’ He said to him: ‘From where can you show me [that it is so]?’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘It is not from the Bible, and not from the Mishna, but rather, from the way of the world that I respond to you.’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘Have you ever sown beans?’ He said to him: ‘Yes.’ He said to him: ‘How did you sow them, unclothed or clothed?’ He said to him: ‘Unclothed.’⁶¹Beans are planted individually rather than encased in a pod. He said to him: ‘How do they come [out of the ground when they grow], clothed or unclothed?’ He said to him: ‘Clothed.’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘Do your ears not hear what your mouth is saying? If beans, when you sow them unclothed, they arise clothed, the dead person who goes [to the grave] clothed [in shrouds], is it not all the more so that he will come [back to life] with a garment?’
Rabbi Aivu [said], and some teach it in the name of Rabbi Natan: It is written: “It will be transformed like clay under the seal; and they stand like a garment” (Job 38:14). A garment that descends with a person to the grave in this world comes with him [when he comes to life] in the future.
[The Samaritan] said to [Rabbi Meir]: ‘Since they come alive and clothed, who provides them with food?’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘Have you ever been to Ḥamat Gader?’ He said to him: ‘Yes.’ He said to him: ‘In season or not in season?’⁶²Ḥamat Gader is the site of natural hot springs. The time of year when many people would gather there to bathe for medical reasons is referred to here as “in season” (Rabbi David Luria). He said to him: ‘In season and not in season.’ He said to him: ‘How was the food there, available?’ He said to him: ‘Available.’ He said to him: ‘In season or not in season?’ He said to him: ‘In season and not in season; because of the crowds, [people] bring [food] to sell and to buy.’⁶³Because of the large crowds at certain times of year, the location developed an active market all year round. [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘So too, the One who brings the crowds brings their food, as it is written by Solomon: “With the increase of good, those who consume it increase” – when the consumers of good increase, the good will increase.’ [The Samaritan] said to him: ‘Since they come [back] alive, clothed, and sustained, why do you cry over them [when they die]?’ [Rabbi Meir] said to him: ‘May a curse come upon that person.⁶⁴This is a reference to his interlocutor, the Samaritan. Is there a person who loses something precious to him and does not cry? Rather, just as he came [into the world] with loud cries, so he leaves with loud cries.’

So do those who consume them. The giving of the reward for [fulfilling] the commandments.

It is taught: When a fetus is formed in its mother’s womb, there are three partners in it, the Holy One blessed be He, its father, and its mother. Its father injects the white substance, from which come the white [substances of the body], and the brain, the nails, the white of the eye, the bones, and the tendons. Its mother injects the red substances, from which come the blood, the skin, the flesh, the hair, and black of the eye. The Holy One blessed be He, may His name be blessed and His memory exalted, places ten matters in it, and these are: Spirit, soul, countenance, eyesight, hearing of the ears, speech of the lips, lifting of the arms and walking of the legs, wisdom and understanding, counsel and knowledge, and strength. When the time of his passing arrives, the Holy One blessed be He takes His portion and leaves the portion of his father and his mother before them, and his father and his mother cry. The Holy One blessed be He says to them: ‘Why are you crying? Did I take anything of yours? I took only what was Mine.’ They say before Him: ‘Master of the universe, as long as Your portion was intermingled with our portions, our portions were protected from maggots and worms. Now that You have taken your portion from the midst of our portions, our portions are cast aside and subject to maggots and worms.’
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi would analogize it; to what is the matter analogous? It is to a king who had a vineyard and entrusted it to a sharecropper. The king said to his servants: ‘Go and harvest my vineyard, take my portion, and leave the portion of the sharecropper in its place.’ Immediately, they went and acted in accordance with the king’s command. The sharecropper began screaming and weeping. The king said to him: ‘Did I take anything of yours? Did I not take only what was mine?’ He said to him: ‘My lord, the king, as long as your portion was with my portion, my portion was protected from plunder and theft. Now that you have taken your portion, my portion is cast aside for plunder and theft.’ The king [in the analogy] is the King, king of kings, the Holy One blessed be He. The sharecropper, this is a person’s father and mother. As long as the soul is in the person, he is protected. When he dies he is given to maggots and worms, as it is stated: “How much less so man, a maggot” (Job 25:6) – these are the lice [that afflict him] during his lifetime; “the son of man, a worm” (Job 25:6) – these are the worms that creep under him after his death.
Shimon ben Elazar says: Even a living one-day-old does not require protection from a weasel, nor from mice, nor from snakes. The dog sees [him] and flees. The snake sees [him] and flees. But when dead, even one [mighty] as Og king of Bashan requires protection from a weasel and from mice and snakes. As long as a person is alive, his fear is cast on all creatures, beasts, and creeping creatures, as it is stated: “And your fear and your dread shall be upon every beast of the earth…” (Genesis 9:2). When a person dies, the fear of him is removed, and he requires protection.
A living one-day-old baby, one may desecrate Shabbat on his behalf; [but even for] David king of Israel, [when he is] dead, one does not desecrate Shabbat on his behalf. This is as Solomon said: “For a living dog is better than a dead lion” (Ecclesiastes 9:4), and like what Rav Yehuda said that Rav said, as Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: What is it that is written: “Lord, inform me of my end, and the measure of my days, what it is” (Psalms 39:5)? David said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Master of the universe, inform me of my end.’ [God] said to him: ‘It is decreed before Me that one does not reveal the end of flesh and blood.’ [David said: ‘Let me know] “the measure of my days, what it is.”’ He said to him: ‘It is a decree of Mine not to reveal the measure of a person’s days.’ He said to Him: “Let me know how short-lived I am” (Psalms 39:5). He said to him: ‘You will die on a Shabbat.’ He said to Him: ‘Let me die on a Sunday.’ He said to him: ‘The [time for the] kingship of your son Solomon will have already arrived, and one kingdom does not overlap with another even one hairbreadth.’ He said to Him: ‘Let me die on the day before Shabbat.’ He said to him: ‘“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand” (Psalms 84:11) – a single day in which you sit and engage in Torah is preferable to Me than the thousand burnt offerings that your son Solomon will offer before Me on the altar.’
Each Shabbat he would sit and study all day. He had a garden behind his house, and when that day [arrived],⁶⁵The day David was meant to die. the Angel of Death came and shook the trees. [David] went out to see [what the source of the noise was]. As he was climbing the stairs, a stair broke beneath him, he was silent, and died. Solomon sent [word] to the study hall: Father died and is lying in the sun, and the dogs of father’s house are hungry. What should I do? They sent to him: Cut up a carcass and place it before the dogs. And your father, place a loaf or an infant on top of him, and move him [out of the sun].⁶⁶A corpse may not be moved on Shabbat due to the prohibition of muktze; however, if a loaf or an infant is placed on the corpse, it may be moved due to the presence of the non-muktze item. Did Solomon not say appropriately: “For a living dog is better than a dead lion” (Ecclesiastes 9:4)?

And what advantage has the owner. [I.e.,] to the Holy One , Blessed Is He, with all the improvement of their deeds.¹⁴Alternatively, “and what good is the owner’s skill [=כשרון],” as in 2:21 above.

And what advantage has the owner. [I.e.,] to the Holy One , Blessed Is He, with all the improvement of their deeds.¹⁴Alternatively, “and what good is the owner’s skill [=כשרון],” as in 2:21 above.

Except beholding them with his eyes. That He sees that they are subservient to Him, and He has satisfaction, that He commanded and His will was done, and so is the matter concerning the sacrifices.

As goods increase so do those who consume them. When they bring many freewill offerings, the kohanim who eat it increase.

And what advantage has the owner. Before the Holy One, Blessed Is He.

Except beholding them with his eyes. That He commanded, and His will was done.

Sweet is the sleep of the laborer. One who tills the soil sleeps, and he enjoys his sleep, whether he eats little or a lot, for he is already used to it.¹⁵The Midrash relates that when Rabbi Boon died, Rabbi Zeira incorporated this verse, “sweet is the sleep of the laborer,” in his eulogy for Rabbi Boon who was only twenty-eight years old at his death. He said that Rabbi Boon accomplished in his life what would normally take one hundred years. But the satiety of the rich

“Sweet is the sleep of the laborer, whether he eats a little or a lot; but the satiety of the wealthy does not allow him to sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:11).
“Sweet is the sleep of the laborer” – Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] emerged from the bathhouse, wrapped himself in his garments, and sat and attended to the needs of the people. His servant mixed him a cup.⁶⁷It was a mixture of wine and water. Because he was attending to the needs of the people, he was not free to receive it from him. The servant dozed and fell asleep. Rabbi turned around and looked at him and said: ‘Solomon spoke correctly: “Sweet is the sleep of the laborer, whether he eats a little or a lot; but the satiety of the wealthy does not allow him to sleep”; [this is referring to people] like me, as we are attending to the needs of the people, and we are not free even to sleep.’
Rabbi Berekhya said: To what is this matter analogous? It is to a king who had an orchard and he transferred it to his son. As long as his son did his bidding, the king would see what a beautiful tree there is in the world and would plant it in his son’s orchard. But whenever his son did not do his bidding, he would see what a beautiful, outstanding tree there was in the orchard, and he would uproot it. So, the king is the Holy One blessed be He, the orchard is the world, and some say it is the Israelites. As long as they do the bidding of the Holy One blessed be He, when He sees a righteous person in the nations of the world, like Yitro, Raḥav, and Ruth, and like Antoninus, He brings him and has him cleave to Israel. Whenever they do not do His bidding, He sees what righteous person there is in Israel and He takes him from them.

will not permit him to sleep. But the satiety of possessions of the rich man, who owns much merchandise, does not allow him to sleep because he thinks about it all night.¹⁶The same idea is expressed in Mishnayos Avos 2:7, “the more possessions, the more worry.” Another explanation: The year שָׁנָה שֶׁל=[שְׁנַת of the one who serves God is sweet; whether he has a short life or a long life, he will partake of his reward, the one [who lives few years] like the one who [lives] many [years]. [E.g.,] Moshe led Yisroel forty years, and Shmuel the prophet led them ten years, and Scripture equates them one to another, as it is stated, “Moshe and Aharon among His kohanim, and Shmuel among those who invoke His name, etc.”¹⁷Tehillim 99:6. So is it expounded upon in Tanchuma.

What is the difference between the death of lads and the death of elders? Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya: Rabbi Yehuda says: This lamp, when it is extinguished on its own, it is good for it and good for the wick; when it is extinguished not on its own, it is bad for it and bad for the wick.⁶⁸Similarly, when one dies young, it is bad for him and bad for those he leaves behind. Rabbi Neḥemya says: This fig tree, as long as it is harvested at its time, it is good for it⁶⁹The harvested fruit and good for the fig tree; when it is not harvested at its time, it is bad for it and bad for the fig tree.
There was an incident involving Rabbi Ḥiyya the Great and his students, and some say, Rabbi Shimon ben Ḥalafta and his students, and some say, Rabbi Akiva and his students. They were sitting and studying under a particular fig tree. The owner of the fig tree would rise early and harvest his fig tree. They said: Let us relocate, as perhaps he suspects us [of eating his figs]. They sat elsewhere. The next day, the owner of the fig tree rose early to harvest his fig tree, but he did not find them. He searched for them and found them. He said to them: ‘My rabbis, there was one mitzva that you would perform with me, and you have withheld it from me.’⁷⁰He considered it a privilege that his tree provided shade for the rabbis while they studied Torah. They said to him: ‘God forbid.’ He said to them: ‘Why did you abandon your place and sit elsewhere?’ They said to him: ‘We said: Perhaps he will suspect us.’ He said to them: ‘God forbid. Rather, I will tell you why I would rise early and harvest them; because when the sun shines upon it they become worm infested.’ One day, he left them and did not harvest, and they found that the sun was shining on them and they had become worm infested. They said: ‘The owner of a fig tree knows well the time when it is appropriate to harvest his fig tree, and he harvests it. So too, the Holy One blessed be He knows when the time of the righteous person has arrived, and He takes him.’

But the satiety of the rich. The one with many traditions.

Ḥiyya bar Rav Ada, son of bar Kappara’s sister, died. They said to Rabbi Yoḥanan: ‘Go up and eulogize him.’ He said to them: ‘Let Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish go up, as he knows his strengths.’ Rabbi Shimon got up and eulogized: ‘“My beloved has gone down to his garden” (Song of Songs 6:2); the Holy One blessed be He knows the actions of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Rav Ada and has taken him.’

Will not permit him to sleep. In the grave, as it is stated, “causing the lips of the sleeping to murmur.”¹⁸Shir Hashirim 7:10. Every Torah scholar, in whose name a traditional law is recited, his lips murmur in the grave.¹⁹See Maseches Yevamos 97a.

When Rabbi Simon bar Zevid died, Rabbi Eila got up and eulogized him with these verses: “But wisdom, where shall it be found.… Man does not know its value” (Job 28:12–13). “It is hidden from the eyes of all living” (Job 28:21). “The depths say: It is not in me” (Job 28:14). If so, a Torah scholar who died, how can we find his replacement? There are four items that are commonly used in the world, and all of them, if they are eliminated, they have replacements. They are: “For there is a source for silver, and a place for gold that they refine; iron is taken from the dust, and bronze is molten from stone” (Job 28:1–2). But, a Torah scholar who died, who will bring us his replacement? We lost Rabbi Simon; who will bring us his replacement? Rabbi Levi said: The tribes found a lost item⁷¹The sons of Jacob found that the money they had paid to purchase produce in Egypt had been returned to their sacks. and wondered, and their hearts sank, as it is stated: “Their hearts sank and they trembled” (Genesis 42:28). We, who lost Rabbi Simon bar Zevid, all the more so.

When Rabbi Bon ben Rabbi Ḥiyya died, Rabbi Zeira got up and eulogized him with this verse: “Sweet is the sleep of the laborer.” To what was Rabbi Bon ben Rabbi Ḥiyya comparable? To a king who had a vineyard and hired many laborers to work it. There was one worker who performed his labor much more efficiently than all the rest. What did the king do? He took him by his hand and went with him on long and short strolls. At evening time, the laborers came to collect their wages, and that laborer came with them, and he gave him his wages in full. The laborers began protesting; they said: ‘We toiled all day, and this one toiled for two hours, and the king gave him his wages in full?’ The king said to them: ‘Why are you protesting? This one toiled for two hours efficiently [and accomplished] what you did not [accomplish] in your toil over the whole day.’ So too, Rabbi Bon ben Rabbi Ḥiyya learned [more] Torah in twenty-eight years than a distinguished disciple can learn in one hundred years.
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Anyone who toils in Torah study in this world, in the World to Come they do not leave him to sleep, but they lead him to the study hall of Shem and Ever and of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Aaron. Until when? Until “I will make a great name for you, like the names of the great ones in the world” (II Samuel 7:9).

Wealth preserved by its owner to his own detriment. Like the wealth of Korach, because of which he became haughty and descended into the grave.²⁰Alternatively, a person’s wealth jeopardizes his personal safety by exposing him to robbery, kidnap, or even death. (Sforno). Or, “wealth stored by its owner,” i.e., he stores his wealth and does not spend it to aid the needy, “to his own detriment,” i.e., resulting in the visitation of punishment upon him.

“There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: Wealth protected for its owner to his detriment” (Ecclesiastes 5:12).
“There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun”: “there is a grievous evil” – is there a grievous evil and a good evil? What, then, is a grievous evil? It is, for example, gout, poverty, debilitation, nakedness, and hunger.
“Wealth protected for its owner to his detriment” – Rabbi Yehoshua says: This is Koraḥ. Rabbi Shmuel said: This is Navot the Yizre’elite. Rabbi Yehuda said: This is Haman. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: These are the Reubenites and the Gadites. The Rabbis say: This is Job, who was rich, became poor, and was restored to what he had been. Rabbi Gamliel ben Rabbi Ḥanina asked before Rabbi Mona, he said: ‘What is this that is written: “Wealth protected for its owner to his detriment”?’ He said to him: ‘The only benefit of the matter is regarding his punishment; when a punishment of the kingdom is imposed upon him, he will give what he will give.’⁷²The only benefit of wealth is that if the government imposes a fine upon him he will be able to pay it.

He will have nothing in his hand. Not even the merit of his ancestors.

“That wealth is lost in a grievous manner; he begets a son, and he has nothing in his hand” (Ecclesiastes 5:13).
“That wealth is lost in a grievous manner” – Rabbi Ḥaggai said in the name of Rabbi Yitzḥak: [His wealth is lost] due to the grievous manner in which he thought about a certain pauper.⁷³The reference is to the owner of the wealth mentioned in verse 12. He said to him: ‘Would it not be better for you to toil and eat? Look at your thighs, look at your feet, look at your girth; would it not be better for you to toil and eat?’ The Holy One blessed be He said: Is it not enough that you did not give him anything of what is yours, that you cast an evil eye on what I gave him? Therefore, “he begets a son, and he has nothing in his hand” – he will not leave, from the money in his possession, for his son.

He will take nothing for his labor. When he dies, he will not take with him any merit of charity that he did with his money during his lifetime.

“As he emerged from his mother's womb, so he will return naked, to go as he came, and he will take nothing for his toil that he can carry in his hand” (Ecclesiastes 5:14).
“As he emerged from his mother's womb” – Geniva said: [It is analogous] to a fox that found a vineyard that was fenced on all sides. There was one opening, and it sought to enter through it but was unable to do so. What did it do? It fasted three days until it was thin and weak, and it entered through the opening, ate, and grew fat. It sought to exit, but it could not pass at all. It again fasted, three other days, until it was thin and weak and it returned to be as it had been, and it exited. When it exited, it turned its face and looked at [the vineyard]. It said: ‘Vineyard, vineyard, what good are you, and what good are the fruits that are in you? Everything that is in you is good and excellent; however, what benefit is there from you? Just as one enters into you, so he emerges.’ This world is the same.
Another matter: “As he emerged from his mother's womb, so he will return naked, to go as he came” – it is taught: As a person comes, so he will go. A person comes with noise, and takes his leave of the world with noise; he comes to the world with weeping, and takes his leave of this world with weeping; he comes to the world with affection, and takes his leave of the world with affection; he comes to the world with a sigh, and takes his leave of the world with a sigh; he comes to the world without knowledge, and takes his leave of the world without knowledge.
It is taught in the name of Rabbi Meir: When a person comes to the world, his fists are clenched, as though to say: The entire world is mine, I will inherit it. When he takes his leave of the world his hands are open, as though to say: I did not inherit anything in this world, as Solomon said: “As he emerged from his mother's womb, so he will return naked, to go as he came, and [he will take] nothing [for his toil that he can carry in his hand].”

As he came. That money, so will it go.

“This too is a grievous evil; just as he came, so he will go; and what is the advantage for him that he will toil for the wind?” (Ecclesiastes 5:15).
“This too is a grievous evil; just as he came, so he will go” – just as he came into the world eating soft foods, so he will go eating soft foods. Rabbi Pinḥas said: Just as He began the world with four kingdoms, He concluded with four kingdoms. He began with four kingdoms, as it is stated: “Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, Tidal, king of Goyim, Amrafel, king of Shinar, and Ariokh, king of Elasar” (Genesis 14:9), and concluded with four kingdoms: Babylon, Greece, Media, and Edom.
“And what is the advantage for him that he will toil for the wind?” – The Holy One blessed be He said to man: You plowed, sowed, reaped, gathered, threshed, and created a pile of grain. If I do not provide wind to winnow for you, how will you live? They give the omer as payment for that wind; that is, “What is the advantage for him that he will toil for the wind”?

[He has] illness. וְחָלְיוֹ means] the same as ‘וְחֹלִי,’ and the vav is superfluous, just as the vav of, “beast חַיְתוֹ of the forest.”²¹Tehillim 104:20.

“In addition, all his days, he eats in darkness, and has much anger, illness, and rage” (Ecclesiastes 5:16).
“In addition, all his days, he” walks “in darkness” – this refers to the generation of the Judges. “And has much anger” – they would anger the Holy One blessed be He with their wicked deeds. “Illness and rage”: “illness” – this is suffering; “and rage” – that they enraged the Holy One blessed be He and said: “Why, Lord, God of Israel, has this been in Israel, to have one tribe lacking in Israel today?” (Judges 21:3).
Another matter: “In addition, all his days, he” walks “in darkness” – this refers to the generation of Samuel. “And has much anger” – they would anger the Holy One blessed be He with their wicked deeds. “Illness and rage”: “illness” – this is suffering; “and rage” – that they enraged [God] and said: “Why did the Lord cause us to be smitten?” (I Samuel 4:3). The ten tribes were exiled, and none remained of them. Judah and Benjamin were exiled, and some remained.⁷⁴Thus, the ten tribes are another example of a group that walked in darkness and angered God.

For one to eat and drink and to enjoy the good. To engage in Torah [study],²²Rashi is consistent with the Midrash Aggadah he cited in 8:15 below, “that all mention of ‘eating and drinking’ in Koheles refers only to the study of Torah.” which is a good doctrine; but he should not accumulate much wealth, rather he should rejoice with the portion given him, for that is his portion.

“Behold what I have seen to be good: That it is fine to eat, and to drink, and to see benefit in all one’s toil that he toils under the sun, the number of days of his life that God has granted him, as it is his portion” (Ecclesiastes 5:17).
“Behold what I have seen to be good: That it is fine to eat and to drink.” Rabbi Tanḥuma says: Every instance in which eating and drinking are stated in this scroll, the verse is referring to Torah and good deeds. Rabbi Yona said: The paradigm for all of them is as it is stated: “[There is nothing better…than to eat, drink, and rejoice]. That will accompany him in his toil [baamalo]” (Ecclesiastes 8:15).⁷⁵The parallel midrash (Kohelet Rabba 2:24) adds at this point of the derivation: “That will accompany him in his toil [baamalo]” (Ecclesiastes 8:15) – in his world [beolamo], in this world. “During the days of his life” (Ecclesiastes 8:15) – to the grave.” Is there eating and drinking that accompanies a person to the grave? What accompanies him? It is Torah and good deeds.

And the power to enjoy them. In his life.

“Also any man to whom God has given wealth and property, and granted him control to eat from it, and to bear his portion, and to rejoice in his toil, this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:18).
“Also any man to whom God has given wealth and property, and granted him control to eat from it” – Rabbi Pinḥas said: This attribute is not in effect for all people, but rather for one whom the Holy One blessed be He desires.

To take his share. After his death, that he merited to engage in Torah [study] and in [the performance of] commandments during his life, which enabled him to receive reward.

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.

While God answers [provides] him, etc. The Holy One, Blessed Is He, bears a permanent testimony about this eternally.²³According to Rashi מענה means, “bears testimony” as in, “you shall not bear false testimony [לא תענה] in Shemos 20:13. Alternatively, מענה means “answers” as in “may Adonoy answer [יענך] you,” in Tehillim 20:2. (Ibn Ezra)

With the joy of his heart. That he rejoiced to do good in his lifetime, and I saw in the Midrash, that this refers to Elkanah, who led Yisroel up to Shiloh on the festivals, and on the route that he brought them up on one year he did not bring them back the following year, in order to publicize the matter and to accustom them. Therefore, Scripture praises him, “This man would go up from his city, etc.”²⁴I Shmuel 1:3. I believe that this Midrash is at the end of the verse, “for God answers [provides] him with the joy of his heart.” This is Elkanah, whom the Holy One, Blessed Is He, established in Scripture, and testifies about him, “this man would go up from his city.”²⁵Ibid.

With the joy of his heart. That he rejoiced to do good in his lifetime, and I saw in the Midrash, that this refers to Elkanah, who led Yisroel up to Shiloh on the festivals, and on the route that he brought them up on one year he did not bring them back the following year, in order to publicize the matter and to accustom them. Therefore, Scripture praises him, “This man would go up from his city, etc.”²⁴I Shmuel 1:3. I believe that this Midrash is at the end of the verse, “for God answers [provides] him with the joy of his heart.” This is Elkanah, whom the Holy One, Blessed Is He, established in Scripture, and testifies about him, “this man would go up from his city.”²⁵Ibid.

Answers [provides] him. This is vowelized with a small pasach [=segol].. Therefore, I explain it as a noun, as in, “for there was no answer מַעֲנֶה in the mouth[s] of the three men.”²⁶Iyov 32:5.

With the joy of his heart. That he was happy on the festival.