Ecclesiastes (Kohelet)

7 as good as one another. There is a sweetness in the light; it is good for the 8 eyes to see the sun. And should a man live many years he should rejoice in all of them, remembering, too, the days of darkness, for there will be many. All that comes is but a breath. 9 Young man, rejoice now in your youth; let your heart ease you while you are young. Follow your heart where it leads you, your eyes where they allure 10 you - and know that God will bring you into judgment for all this. So clear your heart of bitterness and free your flesh of pain, for youth and dark-haired days pass by like breath. 121 Andremember your Creator in these days of your youth; before the days of despair, before years come when you shall say: There is nothing here that 2 I desire. Before the sun is darkened and the light, the moon and stars, and 3 clouds return again after the rain. The day when the guards of the house will shake, and the soldiers buckle; when the grinders sit idle, grown few, and 4 the women at the windows sit in darkness. When all the doors in the street are closed, as the mill-stone falls silent, anda man starts up at the sound of a 5- bird, but the singing girls’ voices drop low. And one lives in terror of heights, and all the pitfalls on the road. The almond blossoms, the grasshopper bears its burden, the caper fruit breaks asunder, but man is departing for his 6 eternal home, and the mourners turn about around the streets. Remember — before the silver cord snaps, and the golden bow is shattered, and the jug 7 is broken beside the spring, and the basin is smashed against the well, the dust returns to the earth where it began, and the spirit returns to God who 8 gave it. Shallowest breath, says Kohelet. It is all but shallow breath. 9 Kohelet’s wisdom went further than this; he taught the people understand- ing always, and weighed and explored and assembled many wise sayings. 10 Kohelet sought out choicest words, and wrote words of truth honestly. 11 The words of the wise are like goads; like pointed nails are the scholars’ 12 sayings. One Shepherd gave them all. And further than this, my child, take heed; there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the flesh. 13 The final word: it has all been said. Hold God in awe, and heed His com- 14 mands, for that is all man has. And all that is done — God shall bring it to judgment; all that is hidden, the good and the bad. The final word: it has all been said. Hold God in awe, and heed His commands, for that is all man has. Continue with Removing the Torah from the Ark on page 562.