Komentaryo sa Eclesiastes 6:8: Tze'enah Ure'enah, Rashi & Kohelet Rabbah

“Since what” [6:8]. When there is someone who denies himself pleasures, in what way is the wise person with his wisdom better, in comparison to the fool? Does one honor the pauper more than the wealthy man who has no pleasure from his money? The pauper lives as well as the wealthy man.⁷⁹Rashi, Ecclesiastes, 6:8.

What advantage. [What advantage does he have] with his wisdom, over what he would have if he were a fool.

“For what advantage does the wise have over the fool, and how can the knowledgeable poor man walk before the living?” (Ecclesiastes 6:8).
“For what advantage does the wise have over the fool, and how can the knowledgeable poor man walk before the living?” Rather, what should he do? He should go to one who is greater than he in Torah, and he will explain his learning to him.²⁴How can one who knows about Torah and the World to Come in a general sense earn eternal life? He should go to a scholar and study Torah extensively (Matnot Kehuna). Another matter, “how can the knowledgeable poor man” – why should one who is poor in possessions go to the wealthy?²⁵According to this interpretation, “the living” refers to the wealthy, who have assets that can sustain them (Maharzu). The wealthy individual will not want to enter into a partnership with someone of limited means (Etz Yosef). What should he do? He should go and engage in commerce. Another matter, “how can the knowledgeable poor man” – how can he engage in business?²⁶This is referring to one who is so poor that he does not have the funds necessary to begin to engage in commerce (Etz Yosef). What should he do, sit idle? Let him learn a craft and the Holy One blessed be He will support him and he will live.

What disadvantage has the poor man. Over the rich man who has no satisfaction. He too knows how to go along with the living. Another explanation: Yet his appetite is never filled. For the World to Come, for he did not perform good deeds in his lifetime.