... reading the Book of Qoheleth, Ecclesiastes - קֹהֶלֶת
Ecclesiastes written c. 450–200 BCE, is one of the "Wisdom" books of the Old Testament. The book takes its name from the Greek word Ἐκκλησιαστής (Ekklesiastes), a translation of the Hebrew title by which the central figure refers to himself קֹהֶלֶת : Qoheleth, meaning something like "one who convenes or addresses an assembly". According to rabbinic tradition, Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his old age.
Kohelet proclaims that all human actions are hevel, meaning "vapor" or "breath", meaning "insubstantial", "vain", or "futile", since the lives of both wise and foolish people all end in death. While Qoheleth clearly endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life, he is unable to ascribe eternal meaning to it. In light of this perceived senselessness, he suggests that human beings should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's work, which are gifts from the hand of God. The book concludes with the injunction to "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone"
... reading the Book of Qoheleth, Ecclesiastes - קֹהֶלֶת
Ecclesiastes written c. 450–200 BCE, is one of the "Wisdom" books of the Old Testament. The book takes its name from the Greek word Ἐκκλησιαστής (Ekklesiastes), a translation of the Hebrew title by which the central figure refers to himself קֹהֶלֶת : Qoheleth, meaning something like "one who convenes or addresses an assembly". According to rabbinic tradition, Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his old age.
Kohelet proclaims that all human actions are hevel, meaning "vapor" or "breath", meaning "insubstantial", "vain", or "futile", since the lives of both wise and foolish people all end in death. While Qoheleth clearly endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life, he is unable to ascribe eternal meaning to it. In light of this perceived senselessness, he suggests that human beings should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's work, which are gifts from the hand of God. The book concludes with the injunction to "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone"