That's Just How it Is...

Well, we have arrived. The fourth and final character on our journey through Kohelet: the wise man. And man, does this guy have an answer for everyone. The wise fellow wastes no time telling everyone what is wrong with their philosophies--even the Amal who's already been voted off the island. He tells the nehena that he's just a fool. Partying is ephemeral and leads to nothing. His philosophy is an illusion! You can't ignore death and pretend like your actions don't matter. Get a reality check, buddy. Actions you take impact your reputation. You gotta look at reality and see it for what it is.
Interesting response, don't you think? It's like that annoying hippie who's finally getting set straight.

The wise guy then focuses on the amal. He asks the amal why he is so angry, after all, being angry is foolish. G-d created the world and man can't fix what G-d created. Everything is not about man and man is not meant to be perfect. Everyone dies and sometimes good things happen to wicked men, its just the way things are. I feel like if the Chachum had a TV show, his catch phrase would be, "Get a reality check, man."

Then, he moves on to the Yirei Elokim, the guy that hasn't been responded to yet. And man, does the wise guy have something to say to this guy. He tells the Yirei Elokim to stop acting so righteous. You don't need to be so extreme. After all, all people sin. Man cannot be perfectly righteous and can't not sin so there is no point in making that your goal. The Yirei Elokim has a response for the Chachum, though, too. He tells the wise guy that he has a problem with his methodology. He is using his own wisdom to determine what is moral and ethical. That is bad wisdom, which he compares to a woman who entraps and ensnares men. Good wisdom, which he compares to good women who lead men to success, is when G-d determines what is ethical and moral.

So, what do we think about the Chachum? I like him. He's a realist and sees everything for what it is. He is probably not the most positive guy in the world, but he's much better than these other guys who just complain about how hevel everything is. It kinda reminds me of that meeting we all had last week. A bunch of people complained about the school, and how much they hated it. It probably would have helped if we had someone like the Chachum in there to just be like, "Hey guys, why are you so angry? It's just how it is. There's no perfect school. Sometimes we have to do things we don't like. Its just reality. Deal with it." Would that have helped? I'm not so sure actually.

I hope we hear more from this guy cause he makes more sense than these other ones we have to listen to. He seems like a "tough love" kinda guy. He wouldn't be overly positive about anything, he'd just say it like is. It's pretty cool how these characters seem so real and relevant, isn't it?

Well, have a lovely week.
And remember, just see how it is.