(c) 2000 Dr Hendel; 1st appeared in Torah Forum (c) 1996-2000 Project Genesis

Re: Koheleth

Russell Hendel (rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu)
Mon, 24 Nov 1997 20:17:43 -0500

I thank Jacob for hi excellent questions on Koheleth which I am sure will
spark much discussion.

Allow me to just make two simple points:

*HVL (usually translation as "vanity"..but what is vanity) is best
translated as "transient"/ not lasting/of short duration. HVL refers to
"steam from a pot" the paradigm of something noticable but nevertheless
extremely transient (SOURCE: Ramban, in the SHAAR HAGMUL...the BOOK of
RETRIBUTION...containing his explanations of Divine Providence).

* I would translate the difficult verse in Chapter 3 as follows:

"Who really appreciates (not "knows") that the life force (or life type) of
then animal is physical while that of man is spiritual"

Russell Jay Hendel; Ph.d;ASA; rhendel @ mcs drexel edu