Since we started to learn the book of Kohelet, we have learned about 3 of King Shlomo's characters. Each one of these characters explain their reason as to why everything is hevel. This week we put our focus most on the עמל, the toiler or the builder. The עמל starts off with stating his viewpoint of, "can man control the world?" He "returned" only to find tears of the oppressed, who were crying because they have no comfort in anything. The עמל couldn't find one thing תחת השמים besides those who were being oppressed. He talks about how not being born would have been better than seeing this happen. In each of the characters I have noticed that there is a presence of the concepts, בין אדם לעצמו, לחברו, ולמקום. The עמל would be described as the בין אדם לחברו, because he is concern with what the people around him are struggling with.
Earlier in the class we talked about the נהנה, or the pleasure-seeker. The נהנה talks about how everyone should make time to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves throughout their life. He believed that G-d gives man everything, and we should enjoy those things, but evil still exists in the world. The downside of the נהנה's viewpoint is that if all man does is eat, drink and be merry, then who will take responsibility for his actions? We see the concept of בין אדם לעצמו in the נהנה because at the end of his speech, he realizes that someone, even maybe no one, takes responsibility for their own actions. This shows that he thinks a lot about himself. In my opinion, he is the most selfish one of all the three.
Most recently, we learned about the יראי אלוקים, the G-d fearer. The יראי אלוקים is the most religious out of the three. He represents the group of people who want to have a relationship with G-d. One of the pesukim that stood out to me the most is the one that talks about how G-d is in שמים and man is on earth. This is a description explaining that man is under G-d and G-d is omnipotent. This was the issue that the main issue that Shlomo had. He was always trying to be G-d like and I think that this pasuk sets that straight. The יראת אלוקים most definitely embodies the concept of בין אדם למקום. This concept is all about man and G-d.
All of these concepts are truly important because they show how man interacts with himself and the driving forces around him. The יראי אלוקים is by far my favorite. We are most alike. He believed that there was no stronger relationship than the relationship between man and G-d and I believe the same thing.
This is really fascinating Sophie. I never thought of this. It's so important to have all three of these concepts.
ReplyDeleteSophie,
ReplyDeleteI find it incredibly interesting that you chose to compare these three "characters" to different ways in which people interact with others. Since we have the privilege of Jewish education, we know the importance of focusing on both the interpersonal relationship and the relationship with G-d. Interestingly enough, if you look back at Yishayahu and Yirmiyahu, you will see that the people had become hedonists and forgot about G-d's control over the world. In my mind, the G-d fearer is the most lasting philosophy. People can then take the most superficial elements of the other two and add on to the G-d fearer philosophy. In the end, you will (hopefully) end up with a person who recognizes the hierarchy between man and G-d, wants to improve the world, enjoys life, and builds things that will improve society. This is the epitome of a well-rounded person. If only this (finished) philosophy were so easy to implement.
Sophie,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blog post. I also wanted to add to the idea that Sarah brought up in regards to Yishayahu and Yirmiyahu. The people did become hedonists and forgot that in order to maintain a relationship with Hashem, they had to incorporate both Miztvot Ben Adam Lemakom and Ben Adam Lechaviero. To relate this to what you wrote: these three concepts you wrote about complement one another. Man has to be focused on G-d, but also on others and himself. No one concept leads to deciphering the meaning of life. Rather, each of these ideas contributes to finding this purpose.
I really like that you looked further into this, I actually would have never noticed that if you hadn't have brought it up. I really like these concepts and really agree with them. I also agree with you being that the יראי אלקים is my favorite. The fact that he actually sees something about life, saying that there is a purpose and doesn't just turn to the fact that we all die in the end is really incredible.
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