Komentarz do Koheleta 11:3

When the clouds are filled with rain. If you have seen clouds full of rain, you know that they will ultimately empty their rains upon the earth. In the place where the benefit grows and is discernible, there it is destined [for the rains] to come to rest. Likewise, you should know that “if a tree falls, etc.,” [i.e.,] if a wise and righteous man⁷In Bamidbar 13:20, Rashi explains that a tree [עץ] is symbolizes a righteous man. See also the last Rashi on this verse below. resides in a city or in a province, the place where he resides, there his deeds will be discernible after his death, and his words of wisdom, exemplary traits and bestowal of goodness upon the inhabitants of that place by his good custom that he guided them on a straight road.⁸Alternatively, this verse is connected to the previous verse, i.e., a person blessed with wealth must share his fortune with the less fortunate in the same manner as clouds that are full of rain do not keep it for themselves but empty their rains upon the earth. (Metsudas Dovid)

“If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the land, and if the tree falls in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be. One who awaits the wind will not sow; and one who gazes at the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:3–4).
“If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the land…” – if Torah scholars become filled with Torah, they will empty themselves upon Israel, who are called land, as it is stated: “As you will be a land of delight” (Malachi 3:12). “If the tree falls in the south, or in the north” – if the time has come for a Torah scholar to issue rulings, whether in the south or in the north, all of Israel assembles there and venerates his wisdom, hears from him, and learns from him.
Another matter: “If the clouds are full of rain” – if the prophets will be full of prophecy; “they empty themselves upon the land” – they will prophesy to Israel, who are called land, as it is stated: “As you will be a land of delight” (Malachi 3:12). Aquila the proselyte interpreted [the verse]: “I will command the clouds not to pour rain upon it” (Isaiah 5:6) [as follows]: I will command the prophets that they should not deliver prophecy to you. “If the tree falls in the south, or in the north” – if the time has come for a prophet to prophesy, whether in the south or in the north, all of Israel assembles, hears his prophecy, and learns from him.
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: If you see troubles that are approaching and coming upon the land, it is due to Israel, who are called land, as it is stated: “As you will be a land of delight” (Malachi 3:12). If the time has come for a Torah scholar to leave the world, like Rabbi Mona in Tzippori and Rabbi Bon in Tiberias, “in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be,” there all Israel will perform acts of kindness with him.³³They will accord him honor and bury and eulogize him appropriately. “One who awaits the wind [ruaḥ] will not sow” – if one awaits the spirit [ruaḥ] of the kingdoms, he will not sow mitzvot and good deeds; “and one who gazes at the clouds” of the kingdoms “will not reap” [the reward for] mitzvot and good deeds.³⁴If one is preoccupied with the decrees of the kingdom and whether they are going to be somewhat more or less supportive of Jewish observance, he will be too distracted to do his best in performing good deeds.

Falls. Will reside, as in, “over all his brothers did he reside נָפָל.”⁹Bereishis 25:18.

A tree. [Symbolic of] a Torah scholar, who with his merit protects like a tree, which serves as a covering over the earth.