전도서 8:15의 주석

Rejoicing. That he should be happy with in his lot³⁰Alternatively, I extolled the virtuous trait of rejoicing, i.e., the trait of being able to accept every occurrence in life with happiness and joy. (Derech Hachayim) and engage in the “upright commands,” which “cause the heart to rejoice,”³¹Tehillim 19:9. and he should not be immersed in increasing his wealth by means of usury, interest and robbery.³²The Gemara in Maseches Shabbos 30b sees an apparent contradiction between this verse which extolls the concept of rejoicing, and the verse above [2:2], which states, “and of joy, what does it accomplish.” The Gemara explains that the verse here is speaking of a celebration or rejoicing of a mitzvah, e.g., a marriage, therefore rejoicing is extolled, whereas verse 2:2 above speaks of rejoicing without purpose, and is therefore frowned upon. Whoever is not happy with his lot and is immersed in amassing wealth, eventually commits the sins of robbery, fraud, and usury. Also, one who is not happy with his lot concerning the love of his wife, is immersed in [a passionate lust for] women, and harbors sinful thoughts about married women.

“I praised joy, as there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat, drink, and rejoice. It will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life that God has given him under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 8:15).
“I praised joy.” Rabbi Tanḥuma said that Rabbi Naḥman son of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said, [and] Rabbi Menaḥama, and some say Rabbi Yirmeya and Rabbi Meyasha, [said] in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak: Every instance in which eating and drinking is 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 [ba’amalo]” (Ecclesiastes 8:15) – in his world [beolamo], in this world. “During the days of his life” – to the grave. Is there food and drink in the grave, that it accompanies a person to his grave? Rather, these are Torah, and the good deeds that a person performs.

To eat and drink. From that which the Holy One, Blessed Is He, graciously granted him, and to be happy with his lot. And the Midrash Aggadah [states], that all mention of “eating and drinking” in Koheles, refers only to the study of Torah, as the matter is stated, “go, buy, and eat, etc.”³³Yeshayahu 55:1.

And this will accompany him. Will join him, as the matter is stated, “and your righteousness shall go before you.”³⁴Ibid. 58:8.

[All] the days of his life which God has given him. He shall do so, and the end of the verse is connected to its beginning, and it is a transposed verse [whose meaning is], “there is nothing better for man in [all] the days of his life that God has given him than to eat and drink and be joyful, and this will accompany him in his toil.”