דברי הימים א, פרק כ״ט, פסוק ט״ו

Human existence on earth is inherently fragile and temporary. Despite the comfort and wealth people may gather over a lifetime, our presence is brief, and our physical possessions are merely passing phases subject entirely to the grace of God.

People often view themselves as long-term residents who are firmly settled in one place [מצודת ציון]. Yet, this sense of permanence is nothing more than an illusion. Just like the ancestors who came before and passed away, everyone is ultimately a stranger [רד״ק, רלב״ג, מצודת דוד]. Humanity is simply a guest in a world where no one truly owns a portion or inheritance, because the entire earth belongs to God [רש״י]. Adding to this sense of foreignness, the root of the human soul originates from an entirely different world, making it impossible to genuinely acquire or hold onto physical property during this earthly life [מלבי״ם]. Because our time as strangers is so short, the ability to amass significant wealth quickly is not the result of human effort, but is possible only through the assistance of God [מצודת דוד].

The fleeting nature of life is vividly captured by comparing our days to a shadow. A shadow is constantly shifting, lacks a stable shape, and holds no real substance [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Life passes swiftly, much like a shadow that stretches and fades as the sun moves across the sky [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Highlighting the sheer insignificance of human existence, this is not even the solid shadow of a tree or a bird in flight, but rather the faint, barely visible shadow of a bee's wing [רש״י]. Offering a different perspective on aging, the shadow metaphor also illustrates that just as a lengthening shadow signals its imminent disappearance at sunset, a person growing older is simply drawing closer to the end of their life [מלבי״ם].

In the end, there is no escape. The primary approach among commentators is that humanity has no hope of avoiding death or extending life beyond its predetermined limit. Recognizing that there is no hope for eternal life in this physical world brings a sobering realization that all the wealth and property we accumulate are strictly temporary and never truly belong to us [מלבי״ם].