Illustration by Yoseph Savan based on The Zohar
Ariel Ben Avraham – Ecclesiastes: The illusion of vanity and the reality of love (XX)
“For what is the advantage of the wise over the fool? What [less] has the poor man who knows how to go along with the living? Better is what he sees with his eyes than that which goes to satiate his appetite; this too is vanity and frustration.” (Ecclesiastes 6:8-9)
In the fields of ego’s fantasies and illusions there is no difference between wise or fool, for both of them toil for the same vanities.
The lesson we learn in those fields is to open the eyes and embrace goodness as the real purpose of life, and abandon the vanities that bring frustration.
“What was, its name was already called, and it is known that he is a man, and he will not be able to strive with him who is stronger than he. For [if] there are many things that increase vanity, what will remain for a man?” (6:10:11)
The more we feed the object of our desire, lust, coveting, envy, wrath, haughtiness, indifference and indolence, the stronger they become along with their oppression, frustration, vexation, depression and impotence to pursue the freedom than only goodness provides.
If these are our rulers and masters, what is that remains in us? Hence we have to hold on goodness as our essence and true identity.
“For who knows what is good for man in his lifetime, the number of the days of his life of vanity, that he does them like a shadow? For who will tell man what will be after him under the sun?” (6:12)
As long as we live in vanity as the shadow of ego’s fantasies and illusions, goodness is not recognized as the cause and purpose of life. If we don’t recognize goodness, what or who will?
Here King Solomon brings us a mirror to see who we really are, or to realize who we are not, for we are meant to conduct our lives according to who we are and what we believe in, which brings us to our name as our identity.
“A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for that is the end of every man, and the living shall lay it to his heart. Vexation is better than laughter, for with a stern countenance the heart will rejoice.” (7:1-3)
Having a “good name” means having goodness as who we are, have and do. This is better than the ephemeral scent of perfumed oils. In this awareness death is welcomed when goodness has been the purpose of the living.
Thus we realize that birth is the uncertain beginning of a life of toiling, either in the fields of God’s ways and attributes or in the fields of ego’s fantasies and illusions.
We also realize that in our afflictions (“the house of mourning”) we learn more than in our joys, particularly if that joy derives from the temporary pleasures of materialistic desires. In this same context we understand the upcoming verses.
| Ariel Ben Avraham (f. Zapata) was born in Cartagena, Colombia in 1958. After studying Cultural Anthropology in Bogotá moved to Chicago in 1984 where he worked as a television writer, reporter and producer for 20 years. In the 1990’s he produced video documentaries related to art, music, history and culture such as “Latin American Trails: Guatemala” distributed by Facets.org. Most of his life he studied ancient spiritual traditions and mysticism of major religions, understanding the mystic experience as the individual means to connect with the Creator of all. Since 2004 he studies and writes about Jewish mysticism and spirituality mainly derived from the Chassidic tradition, and the practical philosophy of the teachings of Jewish mystic sages. The book “God’s Love” is the compilation of many years studying and learning Jewish mysticism. The messages of his book are part of the content, exercises and processes of a series of seminars, lectures and retreats that he facilitates in Israel. |
