Welcome back to another episode of NachDaily with the 5^th perek of Koheles.

In this chapter Shlomo speaks about the power of speech and the benefits and pitfalls of financial wealth.

Verse 1 says, “Al tivaheil al picha v’lib’ch al yimaher l’hotsi davar l’ifnei haElokim, ki haElokim bashamayim v’atah al ha’aretz, al kein yih’yu divarecha m’atim – Keep your mouth from being rash and your heart from being quick to speak before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

Rashi explains this to mean that it’s better to keep quiet than to bring accusations against God.

Similarly, in the story of Eliyahu Hanavi, Hashem is found in the kol d’mama dakah

– in the quiet still voice. What can we reply to God? Can we really understand His ways? When we get a sense of His unlimited greatness, and His creations, there’s nothing left to say. It’s humbling to contemplate the vastness of the cosmos, realizing that we don’t understand anything. All our complaints, arguments, jealousy, and ego fall by the wayside, and we are left silent in wonder of God’s awesomeness.

Don’t complain, says Shlomo Hamelech. God created the heavens and earth! Look at creation and see His wonders!

In pessukim 2 through 8, Shlomo relates that using speech incorrectly has the power to harm us. Therefore, although making vows to God can seem to be a good thing, ultimately it’s better not to. “Don’t let your mouth bring guilt upon your head

Verse 5 says, “Instead of paying lip service to God, it is better to fear Him in your heart.”

Don’t be distraught when you see the poor being oppressed, because we don’t understand Hashem’s calculations. The Ibn Ezra explains that in Hashem’s heavenly worlds there are high levels of guardians that are used to save and protect eternal reward for the oppressed, while the heavenly courts wait to punish the evil-doers. (Targum)

In pessukim 9 through 16, Shlomo describes the pitfalls of money.

Verse 9 says “Ohev kesef lo yisba kesef – He who loves money will never be satisfied with his money.” Loving money leaves one thirsty for more.

Verse 12 has Shlomo saying even more strongly, “There is an abhorrent ill I have observed under the sun: wealth is hoarded by its owner to his own detriment.” Although people strive to save money, it cannot be taken into the next world.

Many people want to set their children up with financial wealth, but find that their children don’t really know much about financial management and lose it all.

In pessukim 17 through 19, which end the chapter, Shlomo speaks about the positive aspects of money. It is “fitting to eat and drink” while deriving benefit from the fruits of your labor. God gives people riches and money for us to enjoy while we’re here on earth while keeping in mind that our days are numbered and we won’t remain here forever.

While we’re on the topic of money, we see how strongly Koheles speaks about its pitfalls.

In Rebbe Nachman’s story of the Baal Tefila, Prayer Master, he describes a fictitious civilization where the only thing people care about is money. One with riches was considered god- like. Such a person lived on a mountaintop, in a special house with pure air, in an attempt to avoid contamination by the poor, who were considered lower than animals. In fact, the rich would offer the poor as sacrifices because they were of minimal value.

As you can imagine, a civilization like this was rife with theft and corruption. Everyone had to safeguard their valuables or risk being demoted from a god to an animal. A poor person who became wealthy, on the other hand, would be promoted to a god.

This story is definitely worthwhile reading. Rebbe Nachman describes how a character called the Baal Tefilah would secretly introduce people to the true purpose of creation, which is to speak and daven to Hashem. Little by little he was able to pull people out of their madness, to focus on the true meaning of life, coming close to God.

May we all merit finding meaning in our lives and focus on the tachlis of this world.

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily. Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.