The book of Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet as it’s known in Hebrew, grapples with this in its final chapter. Chapter 12, verse 12, reads: "More than that, my son, be careful: Making many books has no end, and much prattle is exertion of the flesh." It's a verse that speaks volumes, isn't it?
But what does it really mean?
Kohelet Rabbah, a classic rabbinic commentary on Ecclesiastes, dives deep into this very verse. It's like eavesdropping on a fascinating conversation between ancient scholars trying to make sense of the world, just like we are.
The commentary begins by focusing on the phrase "More than that [mehema], my son, be careful." But instead of reading mehema literally, the rabbis cleverly connect it to the word mehuma, which means "confusion." So, the verse is reinterpreted as: "More than that… be careful of…confusion!"
Anyone who brings more than the sacred twenty-four books into their home brings confusion, the rabbis suggest. Twenty-four? What’s so important about that number? Well, that's the traditional number of books in the Tanakh – the Hebrew Bible, what Christians call the Old Testament. These are the foundational texts: the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings.
And what are these other books that are considered dangerous? The commentary specifically names "the book of ben Sira and the book of ben Tigla." These were ancient works of wisdom literature, similar to Proverbs or Ecclesiastes, but not considered part of the divinely inspired canon. These books, while perhaps containing some wisdom, were not on the same level as the sacred books.
Now, the commentary turns to the second part of the verse: "And much prattle is exertion of the flesh." The rabbis explain that these extra books were "given for prattle and were not given for exertion." This is in sharp contrast to the twenty-four books of the Bible, which do require serious exertion, deep study, and intense engagement.
Think about it. We can easily skim through countless articles and opinions online. But truly wrestling with the Torah, grappling with the words of the prophets – that takes real work. It demands our full attention, our intellectual energy, and our spiritual commitment. It's not just passive consumption; it's active participation.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Are we being told to avoid all other books besides the Bible? Probably not. But perhaps the message is about discernment. It’s about prioritizing what truly nourishes our souls and challenges us to grow. It's about recognizing the difference between empty chatter and profound wisdom. Kohelet Rabbah encourages us to be mindful of what we let into our minds and hearts and to focus on the texts and teachings that demand our full selves. Maybe, just maybe, less really can be more.