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Introspective work on Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) that, according to the title page, discusses the history of the book, its contents, and its method by R. Ben-Zion Salzburg. There is a second German title page, that states that it is Einleitung zum Buche Kohelet, kritisch bearbeitet. Next is an approbation from r. Abraham Abba Werner, rav of the congregation Mahzikei ha-Da’at in London, R. Salzburg’s preface. He writes that these words he writes are in place of an introduction, for who writes an introduction to an introduction? With all that, he sees a need to write some prefatory remarks. The purpose of Mavo le-Sefer Kohelet is to spread light on the book of Kohelet, for most of its words are closed and sealed and the explanations offered are much entangled. The text is primarily in a single column in square letters with occasional glosses at the bottom of the page in rabbinic letters. This second edition is not recorded in Friedberg’s Bet Eked Sefarim.
The book of Ecclesiastes is a reflection on life together with advice on making one's way through it. Qohelet introduces himself as a wise king who sought to examine all that happens on earth (1:12–18), including toil, wisdom, and pleasure. His goal is to determine "what is good for man to do under the heavens during the few days of his life" (2:3). He amassed wealth and belongings, and this accomplishment seems to have given him pleasure; but ultimately he found it senseless (2:4–2:26). As Qohelet proceeds on his investigation, he observes a variety of values and typical events. Most of these he finds senseless and "bad," but he does suggest various ways of maneuvering through life and, from time to time, does praise certain modes of behavior and experiences. Still, he begins and concludes with a judgment that recurs throughout the book, "All is hevel," a keyword usually translated "vanity" or "transient" but that might be better translated "senseless" or "absurd." Recurring topics include injustices (3:16–22); social oppressions (4:1–3; 5:7–11); the futility of toil and pleasure (2:18–26; 4:4–8; 5:12–6:9); the failure of wisdom and the frailty of its achievements (4:13–16; 6:10–12; 7:13–14, 23–24; 8:16–9:10; 9:1–3). Occasionally he grants wisdom's (limited) value (9:13–18; 10:1–3). He more emphatically affirms life's goodness and the importance of grasping life's pleasures when they present themselves (9:4–10; 11:7–12:1) – an imperative made all the more urgent by the incessant awareness of death's grim certainty (9:7–10; 12:1–8). He concludes with a mysterious description of the path to death (12:2–7). The opening declaration "All is hevel" concludes his words. An epilogue (12:9–14) speaks about Ecclesiastes from the standpoint of a later sage.
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