Ecclesiastes Rabbah
Encyclopedia
Ecclesiastes Rabbah or Kohelet Rabbah (קהלת רבה) is an haggadic commentary on Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes
The Book of Ecclesiastes, called , is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The English name derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title.The main speaker in the book, identified by the name or title Qoheleth , introduces himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem." The work consists of personal...

, included in the collection of the Midrash Rabbot. It follows the Biblical book verse by verse, only a few verses remaining without comment. In the list of the old sedarim for the Bible four sedarim are assigned to Ecclesiastes, namely, to i. 1, iii. 13, vii. 1, and ix. 7; and the Midrash Ḳohelet was probably divided according to these sections. This appears from the phrase "Sidra tinyana" inserted between the comments to Eccl. vi. 12 and to vii. 1, and the phrase "Sidra telita'a" between the comments to Eccl. ix. 6 and to ix. 7. These phrases occur at the end of the second and third midrash sections, in the same way that "Seliḳ sidra" indicates the end of sections in Ruth R. and Esth. R. in the earlier editions. The commentary to iii. 12 having been lost, the exposition of the conclusion of the first section is missing. Nothing remains to indicate where one section ends and another begins, as there is no introductory remark to the comment on ii. 13. But an introduction is also lacking to the comment on vii. 1 and ix. 7.

Adaptations from Earlier Midrashim

The author confined himself chiefly to collecting and editing, and did not compose new introductions to the sections. He, dated between the sixth and eight centuries however, used to a great extent the introductions which he found either in the earlier midrashim—Bereshit (Genesis) Rabbah, Pesiḳta
Pesikta
Pesikta refers to two collections of rabbinic literature:* Pesikta de-Rav Kahana* Pesikta Rabbati...

, Ekah (Lamentations) Rabbati, Wayiḳra (Leviticus) Rabbah, Shir ha-Shirim (Canticles) Rabbah—or in the collections from which those midrashim were compiled. This shows the important part which the introductions to the earlier midrashim played in the later midrashim, in that they served either as sources or as component parts of the latter. For introductions to commentaries on the Bible text and for homilies on the sedarim and Pesiḳta cycle, it was customary to choose texts occurring not in the Pentateuch, but chiefly in the Hagiographa, including Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes
The Book of Ecclesiastes, called , is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The English name derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title.The main speaker in the book, identified by the name or title Qoheleth , introduces himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem." The work consists of personal...

. This, even in very early times, gave rise to a haggadic treatment of numerous passages in Ecclesiastes, which in turn furnished rich material for the compilation of the Midrash Ḳohelet.

The longest passages in the Midrash Ḳohelet are the introductions to Pesiḳta
Pesikta
Pesikta refers to two collections of rabbinic literature:* Pesikta de-Rav Kahana* Pesikta Rabbati...

 and Wayiḳra Rabbah, all of which the author used. Some introductions were abbreviated, and introductions from different midrashim were combined in a comment on one passage of Ecclesiastes. For instance, the long passage on Eccl. xii. 1-7 is a combination of the introduction to Wayiḳra Rabbah xviii. 1 and the twenty-third introduction in Ekah Rabbati (ed. S. Buber, pp. 9a-12a). Of the 96 columns which the Midrash Ḳohelet contains in the Venice edition (fols. 66c-90b), nearly twenty are occupied by expositions which the author took from introductions in Bereshit Rabbah, Pesiḳta
Pesikta
Pesikta refers to two collections of rabbinic literature:* Pesikta de-Rav Kahana* Pesikta Rabbati...

, Wayiḳra Rabbah, and Shir ha-Shirim Rabbah
Shir ha-Shirim Rabbah
Shir ha-Shirim Rabbah is a Haggadic midrash on Canticles, quoted by Rashi under the title "Midrash Shir ha-Shirim" . It is called also "Agadat Ḥazita", from its initial word "Ḥazita" , or "Midrash Ḥazita" Shir ha-Shirim Rabbah (Hebrew: שיר השירים רבה) is a Haggadic midrash on Canticles, quoted by...

; namely, the comments to Eccl. i. 1, 3, 5, 18; ii. 2, 12b, 21, 23; iii. 1, 11, 15, 16; v. 4, 5, 8, 15; vi. 7; vii. 14, 23 et seq.; viii. 1; ix. 2, 15; x. 20; xi. 2, 6; xii. 1-7. Many other passages besides the introductions have been transferred from those sources to the Midrash Ḳohelet. Moreover, it contains several passages in common with Ruth R.; compare especially the comment on Eccl. vii.8, which includes the story of R. Meïr and his teacher Elisha b. Abuya, with Ruth Rabbah vi. (to Book of Ruth
Book of Ruth
The Book of Ruth is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible, Tanakh, or Old Testament. In the Jewish canon the Book of Ruth is included in the third division, or the Writings . In the Christian canon the Book of Ruth is placed between Judges and 1 Samuel...

 iii. 13), with which it agrees almost verbatim. In this case the story was not taken direct from its source in Yer. Ḥag. ii. 77b, c.

Passages from the Babylonian Talmud

The author of the Midrash Ḳohelet of course frequently consulted the aggadah
Aggadah
Aggadah refers to the homiletic and non-legalistic exegetical texts in the classical rabbinic literature of Judaism, particularly as recorded in the Talmud and Midrash...

 of the Jerusalem Talmud
Jerusalem Talmud
The Jerusalem Talmud, talmud meaning "instruction", "learning", , is a collection of Rabbinic notes on the 2nd-century Mishnah which was compiled in the Land of Israel during the 4th-5th century. The voluminous text is also known as the Palestinian Talmud or Talmud de-Eretz Yisrael...

. At the same time, it may be assumed that various passages were taken directly from the Babylonian Talmud; and this assumption would prove the relatively later date of Ḳohelet Rabbah, though the end of the midrash, which is taken from Ḥag. 5a, must be considered as an addition.

A further characteristic indication of the late composition of the work is the fact that in the comments on Eccl. v. 5 and vii. 11 passages from Pirḳe Abot are quoted, with a reference to this treatise (comp. Wayiḳra R. xvi.), and in the comment on v. 8 several smaller treatises are mentioned. In the same comment on v. 8, at the beginning of a proem
Preface
A preface is an introduction to a book or other literary work written by the work's author. An introductory essay written by a different person is a foreword and precedes an author's preface...

 in Wayiḳra Rabbah xxii., a modification of the passage in the latter is made which gives ample proof that the Midrash Ḳohelet was written at a later time than the other midrashic works mentioned. In Wayiḳra Rabbah the passage reads: "Even what is superfluous on the earth is a part of the whole; and also the things which thou regardest as superfluous to the revealed Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...

, as the prescriptions relating to fringes
Tzitzit
The Hebrew noun tzitzit is the name for specially knotted ritual fringes worn by observant Jews. Tzitzit are attached to the four corners of the tallit and tallit katan.-Etymology:The word may derive from the semitic root N-TZ-H...

, phylacteries, and mezuzah
Mezuzah
A mezuzah is usually a metal or wooden rectangular object that is fastened to a doorpost of a Jewish house. Inside it is a piece of parchment inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah...

, they also belong to the idea of the revealed Torah." In the Midrash Ḳohelet it reads: "The things which thou regardest as superfluous to the Torah, as the tosafot
Tosafot
The Tosafot or Tosafos are medieval commentaries on the Talmud. They take the form of critical and explanatory glosses, printed, in almost all Talmud editions, on the outer margin and opposite Rashi's notes...

 of Rebbi's school and those of R. Nathan and the treatise on proselytes and slaves ["Hilkot Gerim wa-'Abadim"], they also were revealed to Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...

 on Mt. Sinai, and treatises like 'Hilkot Ẓiẓit Tefillin u-Mezuzot' belong to the sum total of the Torah."

As Zunz
Zunz
Zunz, Zuntz is a Yiddish surname: , Belgian pharmacologist* Leopold Zunz , German Reform rabbi* Gerhard Jack Zunz , British civil engineer- Zuntz :* Nathan Zuntz , German physiologist...

 assumes (G. V. p. 266), the Midrash Ḳohelet belongs to the time of the middle midrashim. On the other hand, the author of Midrash Ḳohelet must not be charged with "proceeding entirely in the spirit of later compilers" merely because, in connection with certain Bible texts, he repeats accepted or approved passages which were written upon the same or similar texts. Such repetitions are frequently found in the earlier midrashim. In Midrash Ḳohelet the same comments are found on Eccl. i. 2 as on vi. 12; on i. 3 as on xi. 9; on i. 13 as on iii. 10; on iii. 16 as on x. 4; on vi. 1 as on ix. 13; and on vii. 11 as on ix. 10; etc. Verses ii. 24, iii. 13, v. 17, viii. 15 receive the same explanation; and it is interesting to note that the Epicurean and hedonistic view expressed in them—that for all of man's troubles his only compensation is the gratification of the senses: eating, drinking, and taking pleasure—is interpreted allegorically and given a religious significance:

The following connected passage on Eccl. ii. 4-8 may serve to indicate the manner in which in this midrash the allegorical interpretation is connected with the simple literal interpretation; it also shows how the author, in order to explain a passage, has fused the material collected from different sources, and illustrates his use of stories and of foreign words (the Bible text of Ecclesiastes is shown in bold):

Specimens of Exegesis

I made me great works, said Solomon
Solomon
Solomon , according to the Book of Kings and the Book of Chronicles, a King of Israel and according to the Talmud one of the 48 prophets, is identified as the son of David, also called Jedidiah in 2 Samuel 12:25, and is described as the third king of the United Monarchy, and the final king before...

; 'I made greater works than the works of my fathers'; as it is written, 'The king made a great throne of ivory' (I Kings x. 18). I builded me houses; as it is written, 'It came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses' (ib. ix. 10). I planted me vineyards; as it is written, 'Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon' (Cant. viii. 11). I made me gardens and orchards [lit. "paradises"], and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits, even pepper.

R. Abba bar Kahana said: 'Solomon commanded spirits whom he sent to India to fetch water for watering. I made me pools of water: fish-ponds [πισκίνη] wherewith to water a forest full of trees;—this is the land of Israel
Land of Israel
The Land of Israel is the Biblical name for the territory roughly corresponding to the area encompassed by the Southern Levant, also known as Canaan and Palestine, Promised Land and Holy Land. The belief that the area is a God-given homeland of the Jewish people is based on the narrative of the...

; as it is written, "And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon" (I Kings x. 17). I got me servants and maidens; as it is written, "All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two" (Neh. vii. 60). I had servants born in my house; as it is written, "and those officers provided victual for King Solomon . . . they lacked nothing" (I Kings v. 7).

R. Ḥama bar Ḥanina said: 'At Solomon's table there were carrots [comp. Deut. R. i. 5] in summer and cucumbers in winter; they were eaten throughout the year. I had great possessions of great and small cattle; as it is written (I Kings v. 3), "u-barburim abusim." What does that mean? The scholars say, "Animals from Barbary" [Βαρβαρία] . . . . I gathered me also silver and gold; as it is written, "And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones" (I Kings x. 27). Is it possible?—like the stones on the roads and in the yards, and they were not stolen? No, there were stones eight and ten ells long. And the peculiar treasure of kings; as it is written, "And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon" (II Chron. ix. 23),—והמדינות [lit. "and of the provinces"] is to be read מדיינת ["the disputing woman"], that is, the Queen of Sheba, who disputed with him in her wisdom, and asked him questions, and could not vanquish him; as it is written, "She came to prove him with hard questions" (I Kings x. 1). I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men,—baths (δημόσια) and male and female demons [שדה, שדות, taken in the sense of שדים, "demons"] who heated them.'

R. Ḥiyya bar Nehemiah said: 'Did Scripture intend to make us acquainted with Solomon's wealth? It probably refers only to the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...

: I made me great works; as it is written, "And the tables were the work of God" (Ex. xxxii. 16). I builded me houses,—those are synagogues and schoolhouses. I planted me vineyards,—those are the rows of scholars, who sit in rows [like vines] in the vineyard. I made me gardens and orchards [lit. "paradises"],—those are the great mishnayot, such as the mishnah of R. Ḥiyya Rabbah and that of R. Hoshaiah Rabbah, and that of Bar Ḳappara. I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit,—that is the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....

, which is contained in them. I made me pools of water,—those are the derashot. To water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees,—those are the children who learn.'

R. Naḥman said: 'That is the Talmud. To water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees,—those are the scholars. I got me servants and maidens,—those are the nations; as it is written, "And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit" (Book of Joel
Book of Joel
The Book of Joel is part of the Hebrew Bible. Joel is part of a group of twelve prophetic books known as the Minor Prophets or simply as The Twelve; the distinction 'minor' indicates the short length of the text in relation to the larger prophetic texts known as the "Major Prophets".-Content:After...

 iii. 2 [A. V. ii. 29]). And in the Messianic time the nations shall be subject to Israel; as it is written in Isa. lxi. 5, "And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks." And I had servants born [companions] in my house,—that is the Holy Ghost (Shechinah?). Also I had great possessions of great and small cattle,—those are the sacrifices; as it is written, "From the cattle and sheep ye shall sacrifice" (Lev. i. 2, Hebr.). I gathered me also silver and gold,—those are the words of the Torah; as it is written, "More to be desired are they than gold" (Ps.
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...

 xix. 11). And the peculiar treasure of kings; as it is written, "By me kings reign" (Prov. viii. 15). והמדינות is to be read מדיינין ["disputers"],—those are the scholars who dispute in the Halakah. "I gat me שרים ושרות "—those are the toseftas. "And the delights,"—those are the haggadot, which are the delights of Scripture.'

R. Joshua b. Levi interpreted the passage as referring to Israel on its entry into the country: ' I made me great works,—"When ye be come into the land of your habitations . . . and will make a burnt offering . . . unto the Lord" (Num. xv. 2, 3). I builded me houses,—"and houses full of all good things" (Deut. vi. 11). I planted me vineyards,—"vineyards and olive-trees which thou plantedst not" (ib.).'

Hadrian
Hadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...

 the Accursed said to R. Joshua b. Hananiah: 'The Torah says: "A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it" (ib. viii. 9). Can you bring me three things that I ask for?' 'What are they?' 'Pepper, pheasants [φασιανός], and silk [μέταξα].' He brought pepper from Niẓḥanah, pheasants from Ẓaidan [Sidon], or, as another says, from 'Akberi, and silk from Gush Ḥalab.

R. Levi said: ' To water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees. The land of Israel did not even lack cane for arrows. I got me servants and maidens,—"And a mixed multitude" (Ex. xii. 38). And had servants born in my house,—those are the Gibeonites, whom Joshua
Joshua
Joshua , is a minor figure in the Torah, being one of the spies for Israel and in few passages as Moses's assistant. He turns to be the central character in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Joshua...

 turned into hewers of wood and drawers of water (Josh. ix. 27). I also had great possessions of great and small cattle,—"a very great multitude of cattle" (Num. xxxii. 1). I gathered me also silver and gold; as it is written, "He brought them forth also with silver and gold" (Ps.
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...

 cv. 37). And the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces,—that is the booty of Og and Midian.'"

Versions

The Midrash Ḳohelet published by Solomon Buber
Solomon Buber
Solomon Buber was a Jewish Galician scholar and editor of Hebrew works. He is especially remembered for his editions of Midrash and other medieval Jewish manuscripts, and for the pioneering research surrounding those texts....

 in the Midrash Zuṭa in 1894 is different from the work discussed here. It is probably merely an extract with some additions. It is noteworthy that the author of the Yalḳuṭ
Yalkut
There are several rabbinical works that bear the title "Yalkut" :*Yalkut Yosef*Yalkut Shimoni*Yalkut Makiri*Yalkut Reuveni...

 knew only this midrash to Ecclesiastes, but in a more complete form than it is found in the printed edition.

Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography

  • Zunz
    Zunz
    Zunz, Zuntz is a Yiddish surname: , Belgian pharmacologist* Leopold Zunz , German Reform rabbi* Gerhard Jack Zunz , British civil engineer- Zuntz :* Nathan Zuntz , German physiologist...

    , G. V. 1st ed., p. 265;
  • J. Theodor, in Monatsschrift, 1880, pp. 185 et seq.;
  • Müller, Masseket Soferim, p. 221;
  • Weiss, Dor, iii. 274, iv. 209;
  • Grünhut, Kritische Untersuchungen des Midrash Ḳohelet, v.;
  • Winter and Wünsche, Jüdische Litteratur, i. 570 et seq.;
  • German transl. of Midrasch Ḳohelet by Aug. Wünsche, Leipsic, 1880.

External links

  • Jewish Encyclopedia article for Kohelet Rabbah, by Solomon Schechter
    Solomon Schechter
    Solomon Schechter was a Moldavian-born Romanian and English rabbi, academic scholar, and educator, most famous for his roles as founder and President of the United Synagogue of America, President of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and architect of the American Conservative Jewish...

     and J. Theodor.
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