קהלת, פרק ב׳, פסוק כ״ב

A person often dedicates their entire life to exhausting work, endless worry, and the pursuit of wealth. Yet, after years of struggle, a haunting question remains about the true value of all this effort and suffering. The primary approach among commentators focuses on the futility of physical and mental labor in this world, asking what real advantage or lasting profit a person actually keeps at the end of their journey.

The struggle for success is not merely a physical burden; it carries a heavy emotional weight. The pursuit of wealth naturally brings fear and an overwhelming flood of obsessive thoughts [אבן עזרא]. This mental strain is understood in two complementary ways: it represents a mind trapped in endless planning and reflection [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ], while also describing a state of heartbreak, deep anxiety, and worry [רש״י, מצודת ציון, צאינה וראינה]. As a person pours their energy into their daily labor, they are forced to wonder what will actually remain of their existence [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ] and what practical good or profit will ultimately come from their sacrifices [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד].

The greatest frustration stems from a tragic irony built into human life. A person works relentlessly and worries constantly to gather money, only to eventually leave the entire reward of their labor to strangers [רש״י, צאינה וראינה]. This harsh reality makes one question why anyone is tempted to sink into such deep toil in the first place [מצודת דוד], and what they truly gain from it all when their time is up [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This feeling of emptiness grows even stronger during times when a person feels disconnected from God. In a reality where it seems God has removed His watchful eye from the world, human effort loses its meaning entirely, leaving nothing but a hollow pursuit [תעלומות חכמה].