Vanity of vanities, all is vanity

Ecclesiastes

A skeptic finds his words canonized despite how they contradict the mainstream rabbinic wisdom, in fact the author's premise belies the whole Mosaic vision of a personal G-d that intervenes in history, a just and merciful G-d who cares about all his creatures.

It is a despairing, cynical almost pagan take on theodicy, and yet it made the cut and today is part of the most widely read book in the world. Makes me proud to be a member of a religion that has such a big tent, that can so tolerate the cynic.

It is traditional to read the scroll in its entirety on Sukkot, the harvest festival, when we reap what we have sewn. Seems fitting.

Rabbi Rachlis in tonight's discussion got it right. The author asks the right questions and throws out the knotty challenges. What he doesn't do is come up the right answer. His answer of despair is not the only response to an unjust, cold and cruel world. Victor Frankl reminds me that we always have the freedom to choose how we respond. In that last freedom there is a joy and a subtle but certain victory over the angst.

Read a bit from Chapter One below or better, read the whole book yourself (it isn't very long) and please share with me your reaction. I would really like that. Honestly. It would be a great comfort. Add a comment here or email me at BkoffmanMD@gmail.com or do both.

I picked this particular section as it hones in on the impotence of my weapon of choice, the intellect in our earthly struggles.

13. And I applied my heart to inquire and to search with wisdom all that was done under the heaven. It is a sore task that God has given to the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.

14. I saw all the deeds that were done under the sun, and behold, everything is vanity and frustration.

15. What is crooked will not be able to be straightened, and what is missing will not be able to be counted.

16. I spoke to myself, saying, "I acquired and increased great wisdom, more than all who were before me over Jerusalem"; and my heart saw much wisdom and knowledge.

17. And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I know that this too is a frustration.

18. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge, increases pain.