The Religious Guy and His Cliches (Even though he said them first)

This week in class, we learned about the יראי אלקים, or the G-d-fearing man. Interestingly enough, this is the first "character" in קהלת that has actually stuck by his philosophy. Last week, I mentioned in my blog that I didn't think that שלמה was looking outside of himself enough to appreciate what he had and that life wasn't הבל. In this section, שלמה's religious aspect really shines through. The יראי אלקים begins his statements by exploring the nature of man's relationship with G-d. He claims that vows indicate that man thinks that he is in control of his own circumstances. Talk is cheap because man doesn't always keep his word. In response to the נהנה's hedonistic philosophy, he claims that, yes, G-d is in control but man still has to be responsible for his actions. To the עמל, he says that a man has to be completely self-centered to think that man is in complete control of the world.

Then, the יראי אלקים gives his final philosophy. He starts out by saying that G-d created the world and still runs it. However, a hierarchy has to exist in which man realizes that G-d is always superior. This relationship is quite similar tot he understood hierarchy between parents. In life, when something seems impossible to complete in one lifetime, man still has to continue on and TRY. Finally, a working relationship needs to exist between man and G-d in which man recognizes G-d's superiority but is still willing to take responsibility for his actions and make an effort to improve the world throughout his life. The עיקר of life is in the journey.

Of all the philosophies presented so far in קהלת, this one is the most well-rounded and human; it's not an extreme philosophy in any way. In fact, most people on Earth have been indoctrinated with this philosophy from a very early age, both through religion and secular society. In other words, the longevity of this philosophy outside of the framework of Judaism is proof of its universal truth. I think all people know that man physically cannot live forever. Even in the context of fiction, characters who have been granted immortality choose to become or remain mortal so that they can go through the journey of life with their loved ones. One example of this is in of my all-time favorite Disney movies: Hercules. At the end of the movie, Hercules is granted the status of god and can now live with his immortal parents on Mt. Olympus. He refuses this wonderful offer because he has realized that he would rather spend one lifetime with his loved ones than an eternity without them. He also realizes that he can do much more good on Earth than on Mt. Olympus. Here's the clip:

In essence, no matter what conclusion שלמה reaches at the end of the Sefer, this is the philosophy that people have lived by for thousands of years and will continue to live by. This philosophy draws from the נהנה and the עמל to create a philosophy that is acceptable. Pleasure and toil are a part of life, although not to the extent that the נהנה and עמל took them. Whether you believe in G-d or not, it will always be true that one man cannot be equal to an infinite being. In that case, man should live for the moment and not worry too much about the future.

Is there something that the יראי אלקים is missing? Let me know in the comments.