קהלת, פרק ו׳, פסוק י״א

The human pursuit of worldly achievements, wealth, and experiences often results in an accumulation of emptiness rather than a sense of true meaning. As a person's life becomes richer and more filled with possessions, they are increasingly exposed to fleeting and pointless matters.

Commentators offer different ways to understand this growing emptiness. One approach focuses on material luxuries and amusements. For example, kings and wealthy individuals historically collected exotic, useless animals like monkeys, elephants, lions, and seals. This habit offers no real benefit, carries the risk of harm or injury, and ultimately only magnifies a sense of futility [רש״י, תורה תמימה, צאינה וראינה]. Beyond mere amusements, others view this emptiness as the result of chasing power, desires, and grand achievements. The more a person accumulates and expands their greatness, the more they add emptiness to their natural state, simply because none of these earthly successes are eternal [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In contrast to these material pursuits, a different perspective suggests that emptiness multiplies when people become deeply absorbed in pointless philosophical investigations, rather than focusing on the simple, practical fulfillment of God's commandments [תעלומות חכמה].

This realization naturally leads to a question about what actual profit or advantage remains for a person. The primary approach among commentators is that this question looks ahead to the end of a person's days, asking what will truly be left of all their hard work and abundant wealth after they die. It raises a profound doubt about the true advantage of a human being, who is gifted with intellect and knowledge, over the rest of the animal kingdom if all human achievements are entirely temporary [מצודת דוד].

Furthermore, the very feeling of ownership over property is an illusion. This concept is illustrated by a parable of a man who cleared stones from his private field and tossed them into the public street to clean his land, believing his estate would be his forever. Years later, he lost his fortune and was forced to sell the field. While walking in the public street, he stumbled over those exact same stones. This teaches that there is no genuine advantage in material acquisitions, as what a person assumes belongs to them today can easily be lost tomorrow due to financial hardship [תורה תמימה]. Ultimately, a deep recognition that there is no advantage in chasing these empty pursuits guides a wise person to avoid them altogether and find satisfaction in having little [אבן עזרא].