Shemot Rabbah turns to Moses and the King of Betzalel.
The text then quotes (Ecclesiastes 7:1): “A good name is better than fragrant oil, [and the day of death than the day of one’s birth].” Better than fragrant oil? That's quite a claim. How far does the scent of oil travel? The verse reads, "It is from the inner chamber to the central hall." A pleasant, but limited reach. But, a good name "travels from one end of the world to the other, as it is stated: “David’s name spread to all the lands” (I (Chronicles 14:1)7)." It's about impact and legacy.
The comparison continues. Fragrant oil, the text says, "falls on a corpse and putrefies," referencing (Ecclesiastes 10:1). It's fleeting, susceptible to decay. But a good name? "A good name rests on a corpse, and does not putrefy." The text uses the story of Elisha (II (Kings 4:3)4) to illustrate. Elisha's reputation and spiritual power were so strong that even after his death, they could bring a child back to life. It's a powerful image of the enduring nature of a good name.
What about that second part of the verse: "the day of death [is better] than the day of one’s birth?" Seems a bit morbid, doesn't it? Why would the day of death be better? Shemot Rabbah explains that on the day of birth, a person's actions are unknown. But on the day of death, their life speaks for itself. "His good reputation informs all those who hear of him as to the nature of his actions."
Rabbi Levi offers a beautiful analogy. Imagine two ships on the Great Sea. One is leaving port, and one is entering. Everyone celebrates the departing ship, full of hope and potential. But Rabbi Levi suggests we should rejoice over the ship returning to port. Why? Because it has weathered the storms, navigated the unknown, and arrived safely. Similarly, when a person is born, we don't know what challenges they will face. But when they die, we can reflect on the life they lived, the impact they had, and the legacy they leave behind. As the commentary from Rabbi David Luria adds, "time that goes by brings him closer to resurrection."
Finally, the text brings in the story of Hananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Their names, their acts of unwavering faith in the face of fiery persecution, were "better than the anointing oil" of Nadav and Avihu. Nadav and Avihu entered the sanctuary and were consumed by divine fire. Hananya, Mishael, and Azarya entered a fiery furnace and emerged unscathed. Their courage, their devotion, echoed far beyond any physical anointing.
So, what's the takeaway? It's not about fleeting pleasures or superficial adornments. It's about the character we build, the actions we take, and the impact we have on the world. It’s about the legacy we leave behind. It’s about striving to create a shem tov, a good name, that will resonate long after we're gone. What kind of name are you building?
“Moses said to the children of Israel: See, the Lord has called by name Betzalel, son of Uri, son of Ḥur, of the tribe of Judah. He filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship” (Exodus 35:30–31). “[Moses] assembled [the entire congregation of the children of Israel and said to them” (Exodus 35:1). “See, the Lord has called by name Betzalel” – that is what is written: “A good name is better than fragrant oil, [and the day of death than the day of one’s birth]” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). How far does fragrant oil waft? It is from the inner chamber to the central hall. But a good name travels from one end of the world to the other, as it is stated: “David’s name spread to all the lands” (I Chronicles 14:17). Fragrant oil falls on a corpse and putrefies, as it is stated: “Flies of death putrefy and froth perfumed oil” (Ecclesiastes 10:1). A good name rests on a corpse, and does not putrefy, as it is stated: “He went up and lay on the child” (II Kings 4:34).1Elisha’s good name prevailed, and the dead boy was brought back to life. “And the day of death than the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1) – the day of a person’s death is greater than the day of his birth. Why? Because on the day he is born a person does not know his actions, but when he dies, he informs the people of his actions.2His good reputation informs all those who hear of him as to the nature of his actions. That is, “the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” Rabbi Levi said: This is analogous to two ships that set sail on the Great Sea, one departing from the port and one entering the port. Everyone was rejoicing over the one that was departing but not over the one that was entering. There was one clever person there. He said: ‘I see it just the opposite here. There is no reason for everyone to rejoice over the one that is departing from the port, as they do not know what conditions it will have to withstand, what seas it will encounter, what winds it will encounter. But everyone should rejoice over the one that is entering the port, because they know that it returned safely and emerged safely from the sea. So too, when a person is born, one reckons for him the time to death;3People keep track of how old they are, which is merely an indication of how much of their life has already gone by. when he dies, one reckons for him the time that he lived.4His life and achievements are celebrated (Rabbi David Luria). Alternatively, time that goes by brings him closer to resurrection (Matnot Kehuna). In his regard Solomon said: “And the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” “A good name is better than fragrant oil” – the names of Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya were better than the anointing oil with which Nadav and Avihu were anointed. Why? These entered to sacrifice, and they emerged burnt; and those entered a fiery furnace and emerged safely. That is, “a good name is better than fragrant oil.”
