In order to ease the reader into reviewing this work, the book is organized according to subjects, and the advice in each field is listed under the relevant subject. Many verses contain suggestions that are relevant to several fields. Therefore, in several chapters in the book, those verses will appear alongside the relevant interpretation in a given field. In each subject, a verse will appear with a focus on the application of the suggestion that appears in it under the field to which it belongs.
The process of writing this book was not easy, certainly in light of the fact that it is an interpretation of a sacred and ancient text written in rich and complex Biblical language. Therefore, in writing this contemporary interpretation, I was assisted by the ancient interpretations of the book of Ecclesiastes that were written by some of the greatest of the sages of Israel, including Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki (Rashi), Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno (Ra’bas), Rabbi Shabtai Bass – Siftei Chachamim (the Words of Wise Men), Rabbi David Altschuler and his son Rabbi Yechiel Hillel – the Metzudat David and Metzudat Tzion (the Tower of David and the Tower of Zion), and Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra.
For example:
The first verse of the book of Ecclesiastes (1:1) conceals within it a bit more than that which is apparent at first glance. It is essentially a sort of introduction or preface to the book itself.
“THE WORDS OF the Koheleth, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” (1:1)
The verse seems to be clear and perhaps even lacking any apparent purpose, stating simply: “This is what he wrote.” However, after applying some thought and delving into it a bit, we can find that this short verse reveals the essence of the entire book.
The preacher, son of David, is better known as King Solomon, the wisest of all men.
The name Kohelet was attached to King Solomon because it derives from the Hebrew word lehakhil, to gather, meaning that the wise King Solomon would convene and gather all the sages of his generation in a forum in his palace, in Jerusalem, where they would discuss subjects of the highest importance in that era. The fruits of that forum were a bundle of practical advice for a better life in a variety of areas, such as work, finance, psychology, society, and law, which are included in the book of Ecclesiastes.
From the mere fact that this forum was convened, one can learn that to achieve positive results in business, it is recommended that one convene a brainstorming session every so often in which experts discuss relevant and even non-relevant subjects in which the operational directive is to “think outside the box,” to examine new ideas, and to discuss strategy. Simply dealing with the routine administration of a company may keep the company above water, but it will not sufficiently allow the company to progress. The presentation of a range of ideas and a vibrant discussion of them by the forum’s participants, who each present a different point of view, will yield a true elucidation of the subjects at hand and an effective way of making decisions with all points of view in mind.
As such, the first verse teaches us that it is incumbent to make an effort to learn from the past and present experience of those in one’s surroundings in order to gain more knowledge and thus to come to the most optimal decisions for the present and future. I also try to accomplish that in this book.