איוב, פרק ג׳, פסוק י״ד

The desire for death often carries a longing for ultimate equality. In the grave, the social classes that define the living world completely dissolve. Had Job died at the moment of his birth, he would have found peaceful rest alongside the greatest figures of human history, as the earth offers no special status or advantage to anyone [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The highest levels of society, including kings with absolute power and counselors possessing extraordinary wisdom, are specifically mentioned to highlight a profound truth: even those at the absolute peak of human greatness share the exact same fate of death [תקות אנוש]. While the world of the living maintains a strict hierarchy, stretching from mighty rulers down to unborn children who did not survive, the realm of death blurs all these distinctions. Once a life ends, any status a person once held loses all meaning [מלבי״ם]. This reality naturally raises a difficult question about the purpose of human existence. If even the most powerful rulers ultimately meet the same end as everyone else, one must wonder why people must endure a life filled with pain and hard work [רמב״ן].

Throughout history, rulers and famous individuals have sought to ensure they are remembered forever by restoring desolate cities or erecting massive structures in abandoned places [רש״י, רלב״ג, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Executing such massive building projects, particularly in ruined areas, requires wealth and power far beyond the reach of ordinary people [תקות אנוש].

However, this pursuit of eternal monuments can also be viewed as a moral failure. Rather than acting for the public good, these leaders constructed grand buildings solely for their own personal pleasure, completely ignoring the needs of others. Recognizing this provides a deep sense of comfort. Even the most powerful leaders often conclude their lives lacking any true spiritual perfection. Therefore, there is no reason to mourn the loss of a long life, as living for many years does not guarantee any genuine advantage or meaningful purpose [אלשיך].