Kohelet Intro Tour

The purpose of this tour is to give you a sense of the overall tone of Kohelet. Start by taking a look at each of the psukim below. Be sure you know the simple meaning of the pasuk first. Then, for each pasuk consider:

  • Does this pasuk have an optimistic or pessimistic view of the world? Explain.

  • Does this pasuk state a Jewish perspective? Explain.

  • Does this pasuk agree or disagree with the previous psukim? Explain.

Add your thoughts about this into the comment space I have placed after each pasuk. After you have entered your thoughts about a pasuk, please take a look at your classmates thoughts and respond to them as well.

When you have commented on each of the psukim, consider drawing a conclusion about the overall tone and theme of Kohelet and adding your own comment box at the end of the source sheet.

(ג) מַה־יִּתְר֖וֹן לָֽאָדָ֑ם בְּכָל־עֲמָל֔וֹ שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹ֖ל תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃

(3) What profit hath man of all his labour Wherein he laboureth under the sun?

(א) לַכֹּ֖ל זְמָ֑ן וְעֵ֥ת לְכָל־חֵ֖פֶץ תַּ֥חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (ס)

(1) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
(ב) ט֞וֹב לָלֶ֣כֶת אֶל־בֵּֽית־אֵ֗בֶל מִלֶּ֙כֶת֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה בַּאֲשֶׁ֕ר ה֖וּא ס֣וֹף כָּל־הָאָדָ֑ם וְהַחַ֖י יִתֵּ֥ן אֶל־לִבּֽוֹ׃
(2) It is better to go to the house of mourning, Than to go to the house of feasting; For that is the end of all men, And the living will lay it to his heart.

(א) שַׁלַּ֥ח לַחְמְךָ֖ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הַמָּ֑יִם כִּֽי־בְרֹ֥ב הַיָּמִ֖ים תִּמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃

(1) Cast thy bread upon the waters, For thou shalt find it after many days.
(יג) ס֥וֹף דָּבָ֖ר הַכֹּ֣ל נִשְׁמָ֑ע אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים יְרָא֙ וְאֶת־מִצְוֺתָ֣יו שְׁמ֔וֹר כִּי־זֶ֖ה כָּל־הָאָדָֽם׃
(13) The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole man.