“I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good during their lifetime. Also, every man who eats and drinks, and sees good in all his toil; this, too, is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13). “I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good during their lifetime. Also, that every man who eats and drinks…” Rabbi Tanḥuma said that Rabbi Naḥman son of Rav Shmuel bar Naḥman said, and Rabbi Menaḥama, and some say, Rabbi Yirmeya and Rabbi Meyasha [said] in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak: Every instance in which eating and drinking is stated in this scroll, the verse is referring to Torah and good deeds.
Rabbi Yona said: The paradigm for all of them is as it is stated: “[There is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat, drink, and rejoice]. That will accompany him in his toil [ba’amalo] […during the days of his life…]” (Ecclesiastes 8:15). In his world [be’olamo] – in this world.53The midrash interprets the word ba’amalo as though it read be’olamo, in his world, which is a reference to man’s life on earth.
“During the days of his life” – to the grave. Is there food and drink in the grave, that it accompanies a person to his grave? Rather, these are Torah and good deeds.