The Book of Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) was written by one of the wisest and most perceptive sages in the history of world literature. His work is the product of deep reflection on human life and society, marked by a painful and frustrated struggle against injustices, lack of justice, and the seeming futility and limitations of life, alongside the suffering and infirmities of human beings.
Did the author of Ecclesiastes seek to provide answers to the troubling thoughts that troubled him? Did he offer his readers a way out of the distress he described? Does he, beneath the surface, outline a path toward living good and meaningful lives? And if so, what is the content and significance of this response, the way out, and the path? Many answers to these questions have been offered by ancient and modern commentators, and this book delves into its unique interpretation.
Descriptions of the futility and limitations of life may lead the reader to the conclusion that "everything is vanity." However, the message of Ecclesiastes does not end there. Ecclesiastes: A Glimpse of Light demonstrates how beneath the surface of the text, there lies an answer to the difficult questions it raises.
In light of Ecclesiastes' insight, which begins with the negation of meaning, it offers us a way of life that includes joy and pleasure. Readers of Ecclesiastes: A Glimpse of Light will rediscover the book as an invitation to engage with life itself, to distinguish between the essential and the trivial, to find meaning in life's small experiences, to believe, to act, and to make the most of the finite time we have on this earth.
Ecclesiastes: A Glimpse of Light is the result of collaboration between two of our generation's sharp minds: Prof. Jonathan Grossman (Department of Bible, Bar-Ilan University) and Dr. Asael Abelman (Sha'arei Mishpat Academic Center and Herzog College).
The Book of Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) was written by one of the wisest and most perceptive sages in the history of world literature. His work is the product of deep reflection on human life and society, marked by a painful and frustrated struggle against injustices, lack of justice, and the seeming futility and limitations of life, alongside the suffering and infirmities of human beings.
Did the author of Ecclesiastes seek to provide answers to the troubling thoughts that troubled him? Did he offer his readers a way out of the distress he described? Does he, beneath the surface, outline a path toward living good and meaningful lives? And if so, what is the content and significance of this response, the way out, and the path? Many answers to these questions have been offered by ancient and modern commentators, and this book delves into its unique interpretation.
Descriptions of the futility and limitations of life may lead the reader to the conclusion that "everything is vanity." However, the message of Ecclesiastes does not end there. Ecclesiastes: A Glimpse of Light demonstrates how beneath the surface of the text, there lies an answer to the difficult questions it raises.
In light of Ecclesiastes' insight, which begins with the negation of meaning, it offers us a way of life that includes joy and pleasure. Readers of Ecclesiastes: A Glimpse of Light will rediscover the book as an invitation to engage with life itself, to distinguish between the essential and the trivial, to find meaning in life's small experiences, to believe, to act, and to make the most of the finite time we have on this earth.
Ecclesiastes: A Glimpse of Light is the result of collaboration between two of our generation's sharp minds: Prof. Jonathan Grossman (Department of Bible, Bar-Ilan University) and Dr. Asael Abelman (Sha'arei Mishpat Academic Center and Herzog College).
