Like that perfect cup of coffee, or maybe... mitzvot?
That’s the question bubbling up from Kohelet Rabbah, a fascinating exploration of the book of Ecclesiastes. In chapter 8, we find a surprising interpretation of a seemingly simple verse. It starts with the image of a king and a field. But who are they, really?
The Midrash, in its beautiful, layered way, reveals a deeper meaning. "'King' – this is the Holy One, blessed be He," the text declares. God is the ultimate King. But what about the "field?"
Ah, the field… that's Zion. The Kohelet Rabbah points us to Micah 3:12: "Zion will be plowed like a field." So, the King, God, is intimately connected to Zion. The Midrash sees this connection as worship itself! God, the King, is ne’evad (נֶעֱבַד) – worshipped – in the Temple in Zion.
But the interpretation doesn't stop there. The text continues: "One who loves silver... will not be satisfied with silver." Now, the Midrash cleverly equates "silver" with mitzvot (מִצְוֹת), good deeds or commandments. So, if you truly love doing good, will you ever feel like you've done enough? The answer, according to this reading, is a resounding no! You’ll always crave more.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Is there a point where we can say, "Okay, I've done enough good in the world. I can stop now"? The Midrash suggests that true love of mitzvot is insatiable.
But then comes a more sobering thought: What if our good deeds don't have a lasting impact? What if they’re fleeting? "If one does not have a mitzvah that is fixed for the generations... what benefit does he have?" the text asks. What good are our actions, the Midrash implies, if they vanish after we're gone?
To illustrate this point, the text turns to Moses, our great teacher. Think about all the incredible things Moses did! He led the Israelites out of Egypt, received the Torah at Sinai... a lifetime overflowing with mitzvot and righteous acts. And yet, "he has a mitzvah fixed for the generations," the text emphasizes.
What is this lasting mitzvah? Deuteronomy 4:41 tells us: "Then Moses designated three cities." These were cities of refuge, places where someone who had accidentally committed manslaughter could find safety. Even though these cities wouldn’t actually function as cities of refuge until the Israelites settled the Land of Israel, Moses made sure to designate them before his death. He wanted to ensure a mitzvah with a long-term effect.
So, what's the takeaway here? It’s not enough to simply do good. We should strive to create good that lasts, that echoes through generations. Perhaps it's a reminder to think beyond ourselves, to consider the legacy we leave behind.
What mitzvot are we planting today that will blossom tomorrow? What "cities of refuge" are we building for the future? It’s a question worth pondering, isn't it?