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Kohelet's Answer
For Discouragement

Shemini Atzeret: Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17,
Numbers 29:35-30:1; I Kings 8:54-66.

RABBI IRWIN GRONER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

A

very remarkable boo k of come upon us and we undergo
the Bible is associa ted the mood of skepticism, doubt
with the latter days of the and disillusionment, the Jewish
Festival of Sukkot — Ko- tradition sought to instruct us by
helet, or Ecclesiastes, a book with including this book. It tells us
unusual themes and empha ses. that this is a human response to
Most of the Bible breathes o pti- a recurring mood, part of the na-
mism and confidence, and
ture of human existence.
this is a book touched by
This mood should have oc-
poignancy.
casion for expression in
Most of the Bible af-
the Bible, because it's uni-
firms great truths with en-
versal, it touches all of us.
thusiasm and strength,
What should we do
and this is a book which
when the mood of despair
speaks in subdued and
and pessimism comes over
cynical tones. Other books R ABBI IRWIN us? A person in the midst
of the Bible describe man's
GRONER
of such a mood should say
spiritual victories and this SP ECIAL TO THE to himself, "I'm not going
is a book that records spir- J EWISH NEWS to remain at this emo-
itual defeat. Kohelet bears
tional level forever. Next
closer examination.
week I'll feel differently. Today,
Kohelet declares: "In the pla ce I feel that my work is not worth-
of judgement, there's wickedne ss. while, that my beliefs are delu-
In the place of righteousne ss, sions, that the world is falling
there's iniquity . . . Behold t he apart.
tears of the oppressed with no ne "But in the midst of my de-
to comfort them." Corruption is pression, I know that next week
in the very nature of things, an d I shall change — the mood will
the author becomes cynical abo ut pass and the sun will shine again.
all human ideals.
Today, I frown with good reason.
He's appalled at man's true 1- Next week, with an equally good
ty. He scoffs at man's pretensio n reason, I shall smile again."
to morality, justice and compa s-
Finally, if you want the mood
sion. Each time he undergoes th e to pass, and as you seek renewed
quest, he's frustrated because h e faith, change the circumstances
sees that everything moves in an which brought about the dis-
endless cycle from birth to death , couragement and depression. Ex-
all hope and desire are shadow s amine those relationships in your
with no substance or existence . personal life, in your profession-
He declares, Havel havalim , al life, in your business, that
"vanity of vanities, all is vanity ." many have led to the episodes
Human striving is pointless an d that brought about such sadness.
the world is meaningless.
Change the circumstances
Why is this book in the Bible ? that affect our collective life. Are
Because I believe it speaks abou t we in despair about the survival
the human condition and de - of Jewish We and the Jewish tra-
scribes a poignant reality. Ko - dition? Then let's seek to assure
helet declares a truth, a partial that survival by working harder
truth, but a truth nevertheles s with greater diligence and con-
about human existence.
stancy for those institutions
There are times when even a which enable the Jewish spirit to
person of faith is overcome by come to life.
doubt and disillusionment, when
Are we concerned about peace
even the most idealistic among in the world? Then let us strive
us looks upon the world with cyn - for its realization and use our re-
icism. All of us have seen that the sources to bring us closer to that
race is not always to the swift and ideal. Do we have moments when
the battle is not always to the we question our faith in God and
brave.
man? Then let us act in such a
We all have moments when way as to confirm the strength,
our belief in God and man falters. vitality and power of faith.
We all know of people who led ex-
Koheleth was a wise man be-
emplary lives who must endure cause he expressed the mood that
pain and distress. Truth is often people have recurrently felt. The
on the scaffold and wrong is often world does not present us with
enthroned.
frustration, disappointment and
When weariness and defeat disillusionment. But Koheleth
was not wise when he allowed
Irwin Groner is senior rabbi of
his mood to become his philoso-
Congregation Shaarey Zedek. _ phy.

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