קהלת פרק ה:יז-יט
יז) הִנֵּה אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי אָנִי טוֹב אֲשֶׁר יָפֶה לֶאֱכוֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת וְלִרְאוֹת טוֹבָה בְּכָל עֲמָלוֹ שֶׁיַּעֲמֹל תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִסְפַּר יְמֵי חיו חַיָּיו אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים כִּי הוּא חֶלְקוֹ:
(יח) גַּם כָּל הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים עֹשֶׁר וּנְכָסִים וְהִשְׁלִיטוֹ לֶאֱכֹל מִמֶּנּוּ וְלָשֵׂאת אֶת חֶלְקוֹ וְלִשְׂמֹחַ בַּעֲמָלוֹ זֹה מַתַּת אֱלֹהִים הִיא:
(יט) כִּי לֹא הַרְבֵּה יִזְכֹּר אֶת יְמֵי חַיָּיו כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים מַעֲנֶה בְּשִׂמְחַת לִבּוֹ:
Only this, I have found, is a real good: that one should eat and drink and get pleasure with all the gains one makes under the sun, during the numbered days of life that God has given one; for that is one’s portion. Also, whenever one is given riches and property by God, and is also permitted by God to enjoy them and to take one’s portion and get pleasure from one’s gains - that is a gift of God. For [such a person] will not brood much over the days of their life, because God keeps them busy enjoying themselves. [JPS translation. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What is a “real good”? What does the text mean by this?
2. How does this text speak to our understanding of wealth? Who gives it to us? Why do we have it? Does it last forever?
3. Do you see evidence of this attitude in today’s society? Where? Where do you see the opposite behavior?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)