A Kohelet Interpretation

A detailed Summary of A Kohelet Interpretation

Wisdom, the Multifaceted Tool With an Until Death Warranty

The son of David, king of Jerusalem, wrote the book Koheles. The book has an overall feeling of life and everything attached to it is futile and nothingness prevails. It is easier for one to understand that material gain is futile for it can be taken away in an instant. Wisdom, on the other hand, is a rare and powerful commodity that serves one well if used. How can wisdom also be vexation and the more one increases their knowledge the more they increase pain. (Chapter 1,verse 18)

There are many difficulties understanding exactly in which light Koheles sees wisdom. For after chapter 1 verse 18 comes along chapter 2 verse 14 and states, "the wise man, his eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness." This would seem to be saying that wisdom is important to "living a good life". For walking in darkness doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me. One would probably bang into things left and right. Such as greed or jealousy, not very endearing traits. Though later in the same verse it says, "that the same fate befalls both of them." Meaning in the end all is futile because everyone in the end will die. This is a very depressing thought. Koheles

Then comes chapter 7 verse 4 saying, " The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the hearts of the fools are attracted to the house of feasting". Those who are wise realize there is more wisdom to be gained from sitting in a house of mourners as opposed to the fools who live for the minute. Ah well, the depression of wisdom keeps rearing its ugly head. One can ask why do I not just accept the fact that wisdom is futile and be happy to go through life as an ignoramus? My answer will always be, because when one is in pursuit of wisdom they are constantly reaching new levels of understanding. The feeling one gets when they reach new levels of understanding is like a drug addiction, one always craves more. Getting back to the verse maybe its meaning lies in the fact that it is easier for the wise to reflect in a house of mourning rather than in a house of feasting, and the fools only go to the house of feasting which does not allow for quiet reflection. This could be the reason why they remain fools.

Putting these last two ideas together, maybe wisdom is futile if not used in the service of G-d. This appears to be correct; the wise man has advantage over the fool because the fool angers G-d with his folly. Oh no! Then comes chapter 6 verse 8 says "What advantage has the wise man over the fool"? This last verse seems to negate the fact that wisdom has any advantage over folly! No, I have decided to interpret this as a rhetorical question leaning on the side of, any idiot can see the superiority of one who is wise over one who is foolish. Regardless if it is just to keep those with a thirst for knowledge sane amid their passing between the worlds.

" The heart [understanding] of

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Approximate Word count = 1154
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Religion