ייִדישער מחשבֿה אויף קהלת 2:26

And there is no question that she was correct in her judgment insofar as it relates to the nature and composition of the body itself, for it would not weaken or undermine the body, but, to the contrary, would strengthen it and its powers. But [paradoxically] to the extent that it would strengthen the body, it would weaken the intellect to the point where it could sustain the body only within the limits of the body's own composition and nature. And it is because of this that man deserved to be punished in transgressing G-d's command. For his becoming mortal was not a punishment, as we have explained. His punishment, rather, was that in choosing the lusts of the phenomenological, he would perforce become more dependent upon them, and he would become steeped in them. For it is well known that when what a man needs is easily available to him he is not constrained to expend much thought over it and become steeped in the phenomenological. But when he sows and the ground sprouts thorns and thistles for him, he dissipates his time in emptiness and confusion in the path that he has chosen, with the result that he emerges not with acquisition but with preoccupation, that is, with unproductive activity. This is the intent of Koheleth [Solomon] (Ecclesiastes 2:26): "For to the man that is good before Him, He gave wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He gave preoccupation to gather and to bring in." That is, he "acquires" only perturbation, mental taxation, and preoccupation. And it was for this reason that Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden and placed in the dark precincts of the earth, there to ponder his ponderings.

2. As a temporary deposit, until G-d gives him a righteous son who is worthy of it, as written "he prepares but the tzadik will wear it" (Iyov 27:17), and "to the sinner He has given a preoccupation to gather and to accumulate, to give to him who is good in G-d's sight" (Koheles 2:26).

Likewise for one who strives to do actions for the service (of G-d), if he exerts himself with diligence and zeal to do what is in his power to do - G-d will help him to accomplish what is beyond his ability, namely, the divine fruit and the glorious good from G-d on His treasured ones and His beloved ones in this world, as our sages said: "whoever fulfills the torah from poverty will fulfill it from wealth" (Avos 4:9), and the wise man said: "For to a man who is good in His sight, He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy" (Koheles 2:26).