קהלת, פרק ג׳, פסוק ט׳

Against the backdrop of a world governed by fixed cycles where every event has its set season, a deep question arises regarding the actual purpose and benefit of human action [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that because reality is entirely dependent on these ever-changing times, human effort often appears pointless.

People frequently work incredibly hard to obtain exactly what they want in the present moment. However, human desires are unstable and shift over time. A person might wake up tomorrow wanting the exact opposite of what they desired today, meaning their previous hard work ultimately worked against them [מצודת דוד]. Moreover, exceptional professional talent and skill provide no real security for the future. A new season or shifting circumstance can always arrive to ruin a person's work, destroy their wealth, and leave them with absolutely nothing [אבן עזרא, תורה תמימה].

On a more philosophical level, a reality where times are predetermined creates a significant challenge regarding free will. If all events, including both good and bad actions, are already decided and can be seen prophetically before they happen, one must question the value of putting effort into studying Torah and keeping God's Commandments [תעלומות חכמה]. While many focus on the general futility of human labor, a different perspective directs this question specifically at the wicked. From this viewpoint, one must wonder what possible profit an evil person gains from investing all their energy into doing wrong, since their time will inevitably run out and all their achievements will completely disappear [רש״י].