## Rashi on Ecclesiastes Chapter 12

###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:1:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:1:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:1:1)

**וּזְכֹר אֶת בּוֹרְאֶיךָ.** תַּמָּן תְּנִינָן, עֲקַבְיָא בֶּן מַהֲלַלְאֵל אוֹמֵר: הִסְתַּכֵּל בִּשְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים וְכוּ', וּמִמִּקְרָא זֶה דָּרֶשׁ: "וּזְכוֹר אֶת בּוֹרְאֶךָ", שֶׁתִּתֵּן דִּין וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן לְפָנָיו. "וּזְכוֹר אֶת בּוֹרֶךָ" קִבְרְךָ, מְקוֹם עָפָר, רִמָּה וְתוֹלֵעָה. "וּזְכוֹר בְּאֵרֶךָ", בְּאֵר שֶׁנָּבַעְתָּ מִמְּקוֹרָהּ, הִיא טִפָּה סְרוּחָה שֶׁל זֶרַע וְשֶׁל לוֹבֶן:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**So remember your Creator.** There¹ we learned, Akavya the son of Mahalalel says, reflect upon three things, etc. And he expounded it from this verse, “so remember your Creator [=בּוֹרְאֶךָ,” that you will give an accounting and reckoning before Him; and remember your pit, your grave [=בּוֹרֶךָ, a place of earth, maggots, and worms; and remember your well [=בְּאֵרֶךָ, the well that flows from its source, that is, the putrid drop of semen and whiteness.

footnotes:
¹ Mishnayos Avos 3:1.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:1:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:1:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:1:2)

**יְמֵי הָרָעָה.** יְמֵי הַזִּקְנָה וְהַחַלָּשׁוּת:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The evil days.** The days of old age and feebleness.²

footnotes:
² The days of old age are referred to as “evil days” because it is more difficult to serve God in those days than it is during one’s youth. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:2:1)

**עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹא תֶחְשַׁךְ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ.** אָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ, זוּ פַדַּחַת, שֶׁהִיא מְאִירָה וּמַצְהֶבֶת בְּאָדָם בָּחוּר, וּכְשֶׁמַּזְקֶנֶת, הִיא מַעֲלַת מְמָטִין וְאֵין מַצְהֶבֶת:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Before the darkening of the sun.** Our Rabbis said that this שֶׁמֶשׁ refers to the forehead, which gives light and shines on a young man,³ but as he grows older, it becomes wrinkled and does not shine.⁴

footnotes:
³ See Rashi in Maseches Shabbos 151b.
⁴ Alternatively, before becoming ill and bedridden. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:2:2)

**וְהָאוֹר.** זֶה הַחוֹטֶם שֶׁהוּא תוֹאַר קְלַסְתֵּר פָּנִים:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The light.** This refers to the nose, which is the form of the face’s features.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:2:3)

**וְהַיָּרֵחַ.** זוּ נְשָׁמָה שֶׁמְּאִירָה לָאָדָם, שֶׁכֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּטְּלָה הֵימֶנּוּ, אֵין לוֹ מְאוֹר הָעֵינָיִם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The moon.** This refers to the soul, which provides a person with light, once it is taken away from him, his eyes cease to have light.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:4
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:2:4)

**וְהַכּוֹכָבִים.** אֵלּוּ הַלְּסָתוֹת, רוּמָנֵי דְאַפֵּי, שֶׁקוֹרִין פומלי"ש שֶׁל לְחָיַיִם שֶׁמַּצְהִיבִים:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the stars.** These refer to the cheeks, the pomegranates of the face, called *pomels* [in O.F.] of the cheeks, which shine.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:5
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:2:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:2:5)

**וְשָׁבוּ הֶעָבִים אַחַר הַגָּשֶׁם.** תָּבוֹא כְּהִיַּית הַמָּאוֹר אַחַר דִּמְעוֹת הַבֶּכִי מִכַּמָּה צָרוֹת שֶׁעָבְרוּ עָלָיו:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the clouds return after the rain.** The dimming of the light follow the tears of weeping for the many troubles that he experienced.⁵

footnotes:
⁵ Alternatively, he returns to his weakness following a brief recovery. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:3:1)

**שֶׁיָּזֻעוּ.** יַרְתִּיתוּ:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Trembling.** Trembling.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:3:2)

**שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת.** אֵלּוּ הַצְּלָעוֹת וְהַכְּסָלִים הַמְגִינִים עַל כָּל חֲלַל הַגּוּף:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The preservers of the house.** These refer to the ribs and flanks, that protect the entire body’s cavity.⁶

footnotes:
⁶ Alternatively, these refer to the hands and arms. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:3:3)

**וְהִתְעַוְּתוּ.** יֹאחֲזֵם עִוּוּת שֶׁקּוֹרִין קראנפ"ף. וְהִתְעַוְּתוּ, אנקרופירונ"ט בְּלַעַ"ז:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Will be bent.** Will be seized by cramps עִוּוּת, called *crampe* [in O.F.]. Will be seized with cramps [=וְהִתְעַוְּתוּ is *encranpiront* in O.F.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:4
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:3:4)

**אַנְשֵׁי הֶחָיִל.** אֵלּוּ הַשּׁוֹקַיִם, שֶׁנִּשְׁעָן כָּל הַגּוּף עֲלֵיהֶם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The strong men.** These refer to the legs, upon which the entire body is supported.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:5
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:3:5)

**וּבָטְלוּ הַטֹּחֲנוֹת.** אֵלּוּ הַשִּׁנַּיִם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the grinders cease.** These refer to the teeth.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:6
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:3:6)

**כִּי מִעֵטוּ.** לְעֵת זִקְנָה רֹב שִׁנָּיו נוֹשְׁרוֹת:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Because they are few.** In old age, most of his teeth fall out.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:7
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:3:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:3:7)

**הָרֹאוֹת בָּאֲרֻבּוֹת.** אֵלּוּ הָעֵינַיִם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the starers in the windows.** These refer to the eyes.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:4:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:4:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:4:1)

**וְסֻגְרוּ דְלָתַיִּם.** אֵלּוּ נְקָבָיו:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the doors [to the street] will be shut.** These refer to his orifices.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:4:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:4:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:4:2)

**בִּשְׁפַל קוֹל הַטַּחֲנָה.** קוֹל רֵחַיִם הַטּוֹחֲנִים מַאֲכָל שֶׁבְּמֵעָיו, וְהוּא הַקֻרְקְבָן וְהַמְּסֵס:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**When the sound of the grinding is low.** The sound of the mill grinding the food in his intestines, and that refers to the stomach.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:4:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:4:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:4:3)

**וְיָקוּם לְקוֹל הַצִּפּוֹר.** שֶׁאֲפִילוּ קוֹל צִפּוֹר מְנַעַרְתּוֹ מִשֵּׁנָתוֹ מִשֶּׁהִזְקִין:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And when one will awaken at the sound of a bird.** For even the voice of a bird awakens him from his sleep once he has become old.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:4:4
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:4:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:4:4)

**וְיִשַּׁחוּ כָּל בְּנוֹת הַשִּׁיר.** כָּל קוֹלוֹת שֶׁל כְּלֵי הַשִּׁיר דּוֹמוֹת עָלָיו כְּשִׂיחָה, וּלְפִי פְּשׁוּטוֹ מַשְׁמָעוֹ. "יִשַּׁחוּ" כְּמוֹ "יִשְׁפְּלוּ". כָּל שָׁרִים וְשָׁרוֹת יִהְיוּ שְׁפָלִים בְּעֵינָיו, וְכֵן בַּרְזִילַי הַגִּלְעָדִי אָמַר לְדָוִד: "אִם אֶשְׁמַע עוֹד בְּקוֹל שָׁרִים וְשָׁרוֹת"?

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And muffled will be the daughters [sounds] of song.** All the sounds of musical instruments seem to him like conversation. Its apparent meaning is its simple interpretation, ‘יִשַּׁחוּ’ is like יִשְׁפְּלוּ [=will be brought low]. All the singers and songstresses will be low in his eyes, and as Barzily of Gilad said to Dovid, “or can I still listen to the voice of singers and songstresses?”⁷

footnotes:
⁷ II Shmuel 19:36.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:5:1)

**גַּם מִגָּבֹהַּ יִירָאוּ.** מְגַּבְשׁוּשִׁית וּתְלוּלִיּוֹת שֶׁבָּרְחוֹבוֹת, הוּא דוֹאֵג לָצֵאת לַשּׁוּק, פֶּן יִכָּשֵׁל בָּהֶם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Also when they will fear heights.** From the mounds and bumps in the streets; [i.e.,] he is afraid to go outdoors because he might stumble on them.⁸

footnotes:
⁸ Alternatively, they fear heights because they feel that they do not have the energy to climb them. (Ibn Ezra)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:5:2)

**וְחַתְחַתִּים בַּדֶּרֶךְ.** אֵימוֹת וְחִתּוֹת הַרְבֵּה בַדְּרָכִים יֵשׁ לוֹ.

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And terrors on the road.** The road’s many fears and terrors.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:5:3)

**חַתְחַתִּים.** לָשׁוֹן כָּפוּל הוּא בַתֵּבָה, כְּמוֹ "גַּלְגַּלִּים", "קַּשְׂקַּשִּׂים", "זַלְזַלִּים":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Terrors.** This is a word is of a doubled language, as in גַּלְגַּלִּים [=wheels], קַּשְׂקַּשִּׂים [=scales], זַלְזַלִּים [=tendrils].


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:4
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:5:4)

**וְיָנֵאץ.** לְשׁוֹן "הֵנֵצוּ הָרִמּוֹנִים", שֶׁהֲרֵי הָא' לֹא נִקְרֵאת בָּהּ. אָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זוּ קְלִבוֹסֶת, הנק"א בְּלַעַ"ז, שֶׁעֶצֶם הָיָּרֵךְ תָּקוּעַ בָּהּ, וּבְזִקְנוּתוֹ, בְּשָׂרוֹ כָחוּשׁ וְהָעֶצֶם בּוֹלֵט כְּמוֹ נֵץ הָאִילָן, שֶׁהוּא בוֹלֵט:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**[And the almond tree] will blossom.** וְיָנֵאץ is] an expression of, “the pomegranates have blossomed הֵנֵצוּ,”⁹ for the ‘aleph’ in it is silent. Our Rabbis said, this is the haunch, *hanche* in O.F., into which the hip bone is thrust, and in his old age, the flesh becomes thin and the bone protrudes, like when a tree blossoms, it protrudes.¹⁰

footnotes:
⁹ Shir Hashirim 7:13.
¹⁰ See Rashi in Maseches Shabbos 152a.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:5
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:5:5)

**הַשָּׁקֵד.** אִילָן שֶׁל שְׁקֵדִים, כְּלוֹמַר שֶׁתִּקְפּוֹץ הַזִּקְנָה עָלָיו כְּשָׁקֵד זֶה הַמְמַהֵר לְהָנִיץ לִפְנֵי כָל הָאִילָנוֹת:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The almond tree.** An almond tree, i.e., old age will spring upon him just like this almond tree, which hastens to blossom before all the other trees.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:6
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:5:6)

**וְיִסְתַּבֵּל הֶחָגָב.** אֵלּוּ הָעֲגָבוֹת, שֶׁתִּהְיוּ עַגְבוֹתָיו דּוֹמוֹת עָלָיו כְּסוֹבֵל מַשָּׂא כָבֵד.

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the grasshopper will be a burden.** These are the buttocks, for his buttocks will seem to him to be as one who bears a heavy burden.¹¹

footnotes:
¹¹ Alternatively, if a grasshopper alights upon him, he will feel it as a burden. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:7
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:5:7)

**וְיִסְתַּבֵּל.** אישדריי"ד שורפיישי"ן בְּלַעַ"ז:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Will be a burden.** *Ed ert sorfeisiez* in O.F.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:8
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:5:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:5:8)

**וְתָפֵר הָאֲבִיּוֹנָה.** חֶמְדַּת תַּאֲוַת נָשִׁים, שֶׁאֵינוֹ נִזְקָק לְנָשִׁים לְתַשְׁמִישׁ. אֲבִיּוֹנָה תַּאֲוָה, כְּמוֹ "וְלֹא אֲבִיתֶם", "תָּאַבְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the desire will fail.** The desire for women; for he will have no need to be intimate with women. ‘אֲבִיּוֹנָה’ [means] desire,¹² as in, “But you did not desire אֲבִיתֶם,”¹³ [and as in,] “I yearned תָּאַבְתִּי for Your salvation.”¹⁴

footnotes:
¹² Alternatively, and understanding [האביונה=בינה] will fail. (Metsudas Dovid)
¹³ Devarim 1:26.
¹⁴ Tehillim 119:174.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:1)

**עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹא יֵרָתֵק חֶבֶל הַכֶּסֶף.** זֶה חוּט הַשֶּׁדְרָה שֶׁהוּא לָבָן כְּכֶסֶף, וּבְמוֹתוֹ חָסֵר מוֹחוֹ וּמִתְרוֹקֵן וְיָבֵשׁ וּמִתְעַקֵּם בְּתוֹךְ הַחֻלְיוֹת וְנַעֲשֶׂה כְשַׁלְשֶׁלֶת. "יֵרָתֵק" לְשׁוֹן "רְתֻקוֹת כֶּסֶף":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Before the snapping of the silver cord.** This refers to the spinal cord, which is as white as silver, and when he dies, its marrow diminishes and empties out and dries, and it becomes crooked within the vertebrae, becoming like a chain. יֵרָתֵק is an expression of “silver chains”¹⁵ רְתֻקוֹת.

footnotes:
¹⁵ Yeshayahu 40:19.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:2)

**וְתָרֻץ גֻּלַּת הַזָּהָב.** זֶה הָאַמָּה שֶׁהָיָה מְקַלַּחַת מַיִם וְנוֹבַעַת כְּמַעֲיָן, כְּמוֹ "גֻלוֹת עִלִּיּוֹת". "וְתָרֻץ" לְשׁוֹן רְצִיצָה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the golden bowl is shattered.** This is the male member, that emits a flow of water and flows like a fountain,¹⁶ as in, “the upper springs גֻלוֹת.”¹⁷ ‘וְתָרֻץ’ is an expression of shattering.¹⁸

footnotes:
¹⁶ Alternatively, “the golden bowl” refers to the brain. (Metsudas Dovid)
¹⁷ Yehoshua 15:19.
¹⁸ As in “They broke and cursed [וירצצו],” in Shoftim 10:8. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:3)

**וְתִשָּׁבֶר כַּד עַל הַמַּבּוּעַ.** זֶה הַכֶּרֶס, שֶׁהִיא עָבָה וְנִבְקַעַת בְּמוֹתוֹ:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the pitcher is broken at the fountain.** This refers to the stomach,¹⁹ which is thick and cracks upon his death.

footnotes:
¹⁹ Alternatively, “the pitcher” refers to the gall bladder. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:4
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:4)

**וְנָרֹץ הַגַּלְגַּל אֶל הַבּוֹר.** יִתְרוֹצֵץ גַּלְגַּל הָעַיִן בְּתוֹךְ גּוּמָא, וּלְפִי פְשׁוּטוֹ, גַּלְגַּל שֶׁדּוֹלִין בּוֹ מַיִם מִן הַבּוֹר. כַּךְ נִדְרָשׁ כָּל הָעִנְיָן בְּמַסֶּכֶת שַׁבָּת. וּמִדְרַשׁ קִינוֹת פּוֹתְרוֹ כְּנֶגֶד כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל. **וּזְכֹר אֶת בּוֹרְאֶיךָ בִּימֵי בְּחוּרֹתֶיךָ.** בְּעוֹד שֶׁהַבְּחוּרוֹת שֶׁבָּכֶם קַיֶּמֶת, בְּעוֹד שֶׁהַכְּהֻנָּה קַיֶּמֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, "וּבָחֹר אֹתוֹ מִכָּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לִי לְכֹהֵן". בְּעוֹד שֶׁהַלְוִיָּה קַיֶּמֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, "כִּי בוֹ בָּחַר ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ מִכָּל שְׁבָטֶיךָ". בְּעוֹד שֶׁמַּלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד קַיֶּמֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, "וַיִּבְחַר בְּדָּוִד עַבְדּוֹ". בְּעוֹד שֶׁיְּרוּשָׁלַיִם קַיֶּמֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בָּהּ "הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתִּי בָהּ". בְּעוֹד שֶׁבֵּית הַבְּחִירָה קַיֶּמֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בָּה "וְעַתָּה בָּחַרְתִּי וְהִקְדַּשְׁתִּי. . . הַבַּיִת הַזֶּה". בְּעוֹד שֶׁאַתֶּם קַיָּמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, "וּבְךָ בָּחַר ה'".

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the wheel is shattered into the pit.** The eyeball will be shattered within its socket. But according to its simple interpretation, this is a wheel with which they draw water from the cistern. So is this entire matter expounded in Maseches Shabbos.²⁰ But Midrash Kinos interprets it [i.e., verses 1-6 above] as referring to all Yisroel [as follows]: **So remember your Creator in the days of your youth.** As long as your youthfulness still endures, as long as the priesthood still endures, as it is stated, “And [I did] choose him from among all the tribes of Yisroel to be a *Kohen* to Me,”²¹ as long as [the covenant with] the *Levyim* still endures, as it is stated, “For Adonoy your God has chosen him from among all your tribes,”²² as long as the kingship of the House of Dovid still endures, as it is stated, “And He chose Dovid, His servant,”²³ as long as Yerusholayim still endures, about which it is stated, “the city that I have chosen,”²⁴ as long as the Beis [Hamikdosh] still endures, about which it is stated, “And now I have chosen and sanctified this House,”²⁵ [and] as long as you still endure, as it is stated, “and Adonoy has chosen you.”²⁶

footnotes:
²⁰ 151b-152a.
²¹ I Shmuel 2:28.
²² Devarim 18:5.
²³ Tehillim 78:70.
²⁴ I Melochim 11:32.
²⁵ II Divrei Hayomim 7:16.
²⁶ Devarim 14:2.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:5
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:5)

**עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָבֹאוּ יְמֵי הָרָעָה.** אֵלּוּ יְמֵי הַגּוֹלָה.

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Before the evil days come.** These are the days of the exile.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:6
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:6)

**עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹא תֶחְשַׁךְ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ.** זוּ מַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: "וְכִסְאוֹ כַשֶּׁמֶשׁ נֶגְדִּי":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Before the darkening of the sun.** This is the kingdom of the House of Dovid of which it is stated, “And his throne [shall be] like the sun before Me.”²⁷

footnotes:
²⁷ Tehillim 89:37.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:7
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:7)

**וְהָאוֹר.** זוּ תוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, "כִּי נֵר מִצְוָה וְתוֹרָה אוֹר".

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The light.** This refers to the Torah, as it is stated, “For a commandment is a lamp, and the Torah is light.”²⁸

footnotes:
²⁸ Mishlei 6:23.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:8
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:8)

**וְהַיָּרֵחַ.** זוּ סַנְהֶדְרִין, דִּתְנַן סַנְהֶדְרִין הָיְתָה כַּחֲצִי גֹרֶן עֲגוּלָּה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The moon.** This refers to the Sanhedrin, of which we learned, “[The seating of] the Sanhedrin was in the shape of a semi-circular threshing floor.”²⁹

footnotes:
²⁹ Mishnayos Sanhedrin 4:3.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:9
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:9)

**וְהַכּוֹכָבִים.** אֵלּוּ הָרַבָּנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, "וּמַצְדִּיקֵי הָרַבִּים כַּכּוֹכָבִים":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the stars.** These refers to the Rabbis, as it is stated, “and those who teach righteousness to the multitudes [will shine] like the stars.”³⁰

footnotes:
³⁰ Daniyeil 12:3.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:10
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:10)

**וְשָׁבוּ הֶעָבִים אַחַר הַגָּשֶׁם.** צָרָה אַחַר צָרָה קָשָׁה. אַתָּה מוֹצֵא בְכָל הַנְּבוּאוֹת הַקָּשׁוֹת שֶׁנִּתְנַבֵּא עֲלֵיהֶם יִרְמְיָה, לֹא בָּאוּ עֲלֵיהֶם אֶלָּא לְאַחַר חֻרְבַּן הַבָּיִת:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the clouds return after the rain.** One calamity after another. You find concerning all the harsh prophecies that Yirmiyahu prophesied, that they only befell them after the destruction of the Beis [Hamikdosh].


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:11
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:11)

**בַּיּוֹם שֶׁיָּזֻעוּ שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת.** אֵלוּ מִשְׁמְרוֹת כְּהֻנָּה וּלְוִיָּה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**In the day when trembling prevails over the preservers of the house.** These refer to the watches of the *Kohanim* and the *Levyim*.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:12
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:12)

**וְהִתְעַוְּתוּ אַנְשֵׁי הֶחָיִל.** אֵלּוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים שֶׁהֵם גִּבּוֹרִים בְּכֹחַ, אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר כַּהֲנָא: כ"ב אֶלֶף לְוִיִּם הֵנִיף אַהֲרֹן בְּיוֹם אֶחָד. אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: הַמֻּרְאָה הַזֶּה דָּבָר קַל הִיא, וְהַכֹּהֵן זוֹרְקָהּ יוֹתֵר מִשְּׁלשִׁים אַמָּה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the strong men will be bent.** These refer to the *Kohanim*, who are mighty in strength. Rabbi Abba the son of Kahana said, that Aharon lifted twenty-two thousand *Levyim* in one day. Rabbi Chanina said, that the bird’s crop is a light thing, yet the priest would throw it more than thirty cubits.³¹)

footnotes:
³¹ A great deal of power is needed to throw a light thing more than thirty cubits. (Sifsei Chachomim


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:13
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:13)

**וּבָטְלוּ הַטֹּחֲנוֹת.** אֵלּוּ הַמִּשְׁנַיּוֹת הַגְּדוֹלוֹת. מִשְׁנַת רַבִּי עַקִיבָא וּמִשְׁנַת רַבִּי חִיָּא וּמִשְׁנַת בַּר קַפָּרָא:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the grinders cease.** These refer to the great collections of Mishnah, [e.g.,] the Mishnah of Rabbi Akiva, the Mishnah of Rabbi Chiya, and the Mishnah of the son of Kappara.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:14
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:14)

**וְחָשְׁכוּ הָרֹאוֹת.** שֶׁיִּשְׁתַּכַּח הַגְּמָרָא מִן הַלֵּב:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the starers [in the windows] are dimmed.** That the Talmud will be forgotten from the heart.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:15
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:15)

**וְסֻגְּרוּ דְלָתַיִם בַּשּׁוּק.** כְּגוֹן דַּלְתֵי נְחוּשְׁתָּא בֶּן אֶלְנָתָן שֶׁהָיוּ פְּתוּחִים לָרְוָחָה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the doors to the street will be shut.** For example, the doors of Nechushta the son³² of Elnasan, which were wide open [for guests].

footnotes:
³² It seems that Nechushta was the daughter of Elnasan. See II Melochim 24:8. The doors of her house were always open to offer hospitality.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:16
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:16)

**בִּשְׁפַל קוֹל הַטַּחֲנָה.** עַל יְדֵי שֶׁלֹּא נִתְעַסְּקוּ בַתּוֹרָה. אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל, נִמְשְׁלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לִטְחִינַת הָרֵחַיִם, מָה רֵחַיִם אֵינָן בְּטֵלוֹת לֹא בַּיּוֹם וְלֹא בַלַּיְלָה, אַף כַּאן: "וְהָגִיתָ בּוֹ יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**When the sound of the grinding is low.** Because they did not engage in Torah study. Rabbi Shmuel said, that Yisroel is compared to the grinding of the millstones; just as the millstones are idle neither by day nor by night, here too, [it states,] “you shall meditate therein day and night.”³³

footnotes:
³³ Yehoshua 1:8.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:17
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:17)

**וְיָקוּם לְקוֹל הַצִּפּוֹר.** זֶה נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר הָרָשָׁע. אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי: י"ח שָׁנָה הָיְתָה בַּת קוֹל יוֹצֵאת וּמְפוֹצֶצֶת בַּפַּלְטִין שֶׁל נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר: "עַבְדָּא בִישָׁא, זִיל אַחֲרִיב בֵּיתֵיהּ דְּמָרָךְ, דִּבְנֵי מָרָךְ לָא שָׁמְעִין לֵיהּ":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And one will awaken at the sound of a bird.** This is the wicked Nevuchadnetzar. Rabbi Levi said, that for eighteen years a heavenly voice would go forth and scatter in Nevuchadnetzar’s palace and proclaim, “Wicked slave, go and destroy your Master’s House [i.e., the Beis Hamikdosh,] because His children disobey Him.”


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:18
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:18)

**וְיִשַּׁחוּ כָּל בְּנוֹת הַשִּׁיר.** "בַּשִּׁיר לֹא יִשְׁתּוּ יָיִן:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And muffled will be the daughters [sounds] of song.** “They shall not drink wine with song.”³⁴

footnotes:
³⁴ Yeshayahu 24:9.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:19
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:19)

**גַּם מִגָּבֹהַּ יִירָאוּ.** מִגָּבֹהַּ שֶׁל עוֹלָם יִתְיָירֵא וְיִדְאַג לִבּוֹ, פֶּן יַעֲשֶׂה בּוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה בָרִאשׁוֹנִים:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Also when they will fear heights.** Of He Who is Supreme in the universe, [Nevuchadnetzar] was afraid, and his heart was concerned lest He do to him as He did to his predecessors.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:20
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:20)

**וְחַתְחַתִּים בַּדֶּרֶךְ.** מִתּוֹךְ כַּךְ, יְבַקֵּשׁ לוֹ אוֹתוֹת וּרְמָזִים אִם יַצְלִיחַ בַּדֶּרֶךְ שֶׁיֵּלֵךְ, כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: "כִּי עָמַד מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל אֶל אֵם הַדֶּרֶךְ. . . לִקְסָם, קִלְקַל בַּחִצִּים, שָׁאַל בַּתְּרָפִים":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And terrors on the road.** Because of this, he will seek signs and omens [to determine if] he will succeed on the way that he will go, as the matter is stated, “For the king of Bavel stood at the crossroads ... to divine; he shot the arrows, he inquired of the teraphim.”³⁵

footnotes:
³⁵ Yechezkeil 21:26.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:21
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:21)

**וְיָנֵאץ הַשָׁקֵד.** תִּצְמַח נְבוּאַת יִרְמְיָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, "מַקֵּל שָׁקֵד אֲנִי רֹאֶה". אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, הַשָּׁקֵד הַזֶּה, מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁהוּא מֵצִיץ עַד גְּמַר פֵּרוֹתָיו כ"א יוֹם. כַּךְ, מִי"ז בְּתַמּוּז עַד תִּשְׁעָה בְאָב כ"א יוֹם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the almond tree will blossom.** Yirmiyahu’s prophecy will sprout, as it is stated, “I see a staff of an almond tree.”³⁶ Rabbi Eliezer said, this almond tree, from the time it blossoms until its fruits ripen, are twenty-one days. Likewise, from the seventeenth of Tammuz until the ninth of [Menachem] Av are twenty-one days.

footnotes:
³⁶ Yirmiyahu 1:11.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:22
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:22)

**וְיִסְתַּבֵּל הֶחָגָב.** זֶה צַלְמוֹ שֶׁל נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר. "רוּמֵהּ אַמִּין שִׁתִּין פְּתָיֵּהּ אַמִּין שִׁית". וְאִם אֵין עָבְיוֹ אֶלָּא שֵׁשׁ, אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לַעֲמוֹד, וְאַתְּ אָמַרְתְּ: "אַקִימֵהּ בְּבִקְעַת דוּרָא"? אָמַר רַב בִּיבִּי, מַעֲמִידִין אוֹתוֹ וְנוֹפֵל, עַד שֶׁהֵבִיאוּ כָל זָהָב שֶׁבִּירוּשָׁלַיִם וְשָׁפְכוּ דִימוֹס עַל רַגְלָיו לְקַיֵּים מַה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: "וּזְהָבָם לְנִדָּה וְלָמַס יִהְיֶה":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the grasshopper will be a burden.** This refers to Nevuchadnetzar’s graven image; “its height was sixty cubits [and] its width six cubits.”³⁷ Now, if its thickness is only six, it cannot stand, and you say that, “he set it up in the plain of Dura”?³⁸ Rav Bibi said, they kept on setting it up and it kept on falling, until they brought all the gold of Yerusholayim and poured it out as a base on its feet, to fulfill what is stated, “and their gold will be repugnant.”³⁹

footnotes:
³⁷ Daniyeil 3:1.
³⁸ Ibid..
³⁹ Yechezkeil 7:19.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:23
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:23)

**וְתָפֵר הָאֲבִיּוֹנָה.** זוּ זְכוּת אָבוֹת. תּוּפַר מִשְׁעֶנֶת אָבוֹת שֶׁלָּכֶם, וְיִהְיֶה "הָאֲבִיּוֹנָה" מִלְּשׁוֹן "אָב":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the desire will fail.** This refers to ancestral merit; the support of your Patriarchs will fail; accordingly, ‘הָאֲבִיּוֹנָה’ is derived from ‘אָב’ [=father].


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:24
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:24)

**כִּי הוֹלֵךְ הָאָדָם.** יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנִּקְרָא "צֹאן אָדָם," "אָדָם אַתֶּם":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**For [in this manner] man goes.** [This refers to] Yisroel, who were called “the people, like sheep;”⁴⁰ [and] “you are Man.”⁴¹

footnotes:
⁴⁰ Ibid. 36:37. The beginning of the phrase is, “I will relate to the inquiries of the House of Yisrael, to act for them; I will multiply them, the people, like sheep.”
⁴¹ Ibid. 34:31. The beginning of the verse is, “Now, you are My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, you are Man.”


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:25
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:25)

**אֶל בֵּית עוֹלָמוֹ.** מִבָּבֶל בָּאוּ, לְבָבֶל חָזְרוּ. תֶּרַח אֲבִי אַבְרָהָם מֵעֵבֶר הַנָּהָר הָיָה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**To his eternal home.** They came from Bavel, and they returned to Bavel. Terach, the father of Avrohom, was from the other side of the river.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:26
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:26](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:26)

**וְסָבְבוּ בַשּׁוּק הַסּוֹפְדִים.** גָּלוּת יְכָנְיָה קָדְמָה לְגָלוּת צִדְקִיָּה י"א שָׁנָה. כְּשֶׁהֶגְלָה נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר אֶת גָּלוּת צִדְקִיָּהוּ בְּקוֹלָרִין, הָיוּ יוֹצְאִין גָּלוּת יְכָנְיָה לִקְרַאת נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר עַל כָּרְחָן עִם שְׁאָר בְּנֵי הָעִיר לְקַלְּסוֹ שֶׁהוּא גִבּוֹר וּמַצְלִיחַ, וְהָיוּ רוֹאִין אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיִם וְשׁוֹאֲלִין אוֹתָם אִישׁ עַל קְרוֹבוֹ, מַה נַעֲשָׂה בוֹ, וְהָיוּ מְשִׁיבִין אוֹתָן: "אֲשֶׁר לַמָּוֶת לַמָּוֶת, וַאֲשֶׁר לַשֶּׁבִי לַשֶּׁבִי, וַאֲשֶׁר לַחֶרֶב לַחֶרֶב", וְהָיוּ מְקַלְּסִּין בְּיָדָם אַחַת, וּבְיָדָם אַחֶרֶת מְסַפְּקִין וּמְטַפְּחִין הֶסְפֵּד עַל אֲחֵיהֶם וְעַל בְּנֵיהֶם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the mourners go about the streets.** The exile of Yechonyah preceded the exile of Tzidkiyah by eleven years. When Nevuchadnetzar exiled Tzidkiyahu[’s captives] in neck irons, the exiles of Yechonyah came out toward Nevuchadnetzar against their will, with the rest of the city’s citizens, to praise him, that he was a hero and a victor; and they would see the captives and each would inquire about his kinsman, what happened to him, they would answer them, “those who are [destined] for death, to death, and those who are [destined] for captivity, to captivity, and those who are [destined] for the sword, to the sword.”⁴² They would praise with one hand, and with their other hand, they would clap and beat their sides in mourning for their brothers and their children.

footnotes:
⁴² Yirmiyahu 15:2. The text in our editions have a different sequence than the one offered by Rashi. Our editions read “...those who are [destined] for death, to death; those who are [destined] for the sword, to the sword; those who are [destined] for hunger, to hunger; and those who are [destined] for captivity, to captivity.”


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:27
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:27](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:27)

**עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹא יֵרָתֵק חֶבֶל הַכֶּסֶף.** זוּ שַׁלְשֶׁלֶת יוֹחֲסִין:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Before the snapping of the silver cord.** This refers to the genealogical chain.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:28
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:28](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:28)

**וְתָרֻץ גֻּלַּת הַזָּהָב.** אֵלוּ דִבְרֵי תוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, "הַנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב":

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the golden bowl is shattered.** These are the words of Torah, as it is stated, “They are to be desired more than gold.”⁴³

footnotes:
⁴³ Tehillim 19:11.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:29
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:29](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:29)

**וְתִשָּׁבֶר כַּד עַל הַמַּבּוּע.** כַּדּוֹ שֶׁל בָּרוּךְ בֶּן נֵרִיָּה עַל מַבּוּעוֹ שֶׁל יִרְמְיָהוּ, שֶׁשְּׁנֵיהֶם גָּלוּ לְבָבֶל וּפָסְקוּ מִלִּמּוּדָם בְּעִנּוּי הַדֶּרֶךְ. תְּחִלָּה גָּלוּ לְמִצְרַיִם, שֶׁהֶגְלָם יוֹחָנָן בֶּן קָרֵחַ, וּכְשֶׁהֶחֱרִיב נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר אֶת מִצְרַיִם, הֶגְלָם לְבָבֶל:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the pitcher is broken at the fountain.** The pitcher of Baruch the son of Neiriyah⁴⁴ on the fountain of Yirmiyahu.⁴⁵ For they were both exiled to Bavel and interrupted their studies because of the journey’s hardship. At first, they were exiled to Egypt, for Yochanan the son of Kare’ach exiled them, but when Nevuchadnetzar destroyed Egypt, he exiled them to Bavel.

footnotes:
⁴⁴ I.e., pitcher [=כד] is referring to Baruch the son of Neiriyah.
⁴⁵ I.e., fountain [=מבוע] is referring to Yirmiyahu. In the Midrash there is also an opposite view, that מבוע refers to Baruch the son of Neiriyah, and כד refers to Yirmiyahu. The difference of opinion hinges upon the question of who was exiled first. A pitcher is not broken unless the fountain has dried up first; מבוע therefore represents the one who was first to be exiled. (Torah Temimah)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:30
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:6:30](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:6:30)

**וְנָרֹץ הַגַּלְגַּל אֶל הַבּוֹר.** זוּ בָבֶל שֶׁהִיא זוּטָא שֶׁל עוֹלָם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the wheel is shattered into the pit.** This is Bavel, which is the world’s depository.⁴⁶

footnotes:
⁴⁶ Bavel serves as the world’s depository because it is situated lower than all its surrounding land. Probably on account of this, the Gemara in Maseches Zevachim 113b states that the dead of the Flood were shaken out there. Also, the Gemara in Maseches Ta’anis 10a states that Bavel does not require rain because it is swampy and never dries out being that its land is situated so low.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:7:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:7:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:7:1)

**וְיָשֹׁב הֶעָפָר וְגוֹ'.** מִבָּבֶל בָּאוּ, לְבָבֶל חָזְרוּ:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the dust returns, etc.** They came from Bavel and they returned to Bavel.⁴⁷

footnotes:
⁴⁷ Alternatively, referring to the body, for God created Adam from dust. The body will return to the earth and turn into dust as it was originally. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:7:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:7:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:7:2)

**וְהָרוּחַ תָּשׁוּב.** זוּ רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ, שֶׁכֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּסְתַּלְּקָה רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ, גָּלוּ:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And the spirit returns.** This is the Holy Spirit, for as soon as the Holy Spirit departed, they were exiled.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:8:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:8:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:8:1)

**הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים.** אֲנִי רוֹאֶה בָּעוֹלָם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Vanity of vanities.** I see in the world.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:8:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:8:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:8:2)

**אָמַר הַקּוֹהֶלֶת.** מִי שֶׁבּוֹ קְבוּצַת הַחָכְמָה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Says Koheles.** He who had a collection of wisdom within him.⁴⁸

footnotes:
⁴⁸ See Rashi above 7:27 for an explanation why “קהלת” which is a feminine noun is sometimes used in the masculine form.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:8:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:8:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:8:3)

**הַכֹּל הָבֶל.** כָּל מַה שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְרֵאשִׁית:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**All is vanity.** All that was created during the six days of creation.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:9:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:9:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:9:1)

**וְיֹתֵר שֶׁהָיָה קֹהֶלֶת חָכָם.** וְיוֹתֵר מִמַּה שֶּׁנִכְתַּב בְּסֵפֶר זֶה. הָיָה קֹהֶלֶת חָכָם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And besides that Koheles was wise.** More than what is written in this book”⁴⁹ Koheles was more [=יוֹתֵר wise.

footnotes:
⁴⁹ Alternatively, “In addition to his virtue of being a wise man, Koheles also taught others and made them wise.” (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:9:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:9:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:9:2)

**וְאִזֵּן.** עָשָׂה אָזְנַיִם לַתּוֹרָה, כְּקֻפָּה זוּ שֶׁאֵין לָהּ אָזְנַיִם לֶאֱחוֹז בָּהּ, וּבָא וְעָשָׂה לָהּ אָזְנַיִם, שֶׁתִּקֵּן עֵירוּבִין לִסְיָג שְׁמִירַת שַׁבָּת, וּנְטִילַת יָדַיִם סְיָג לְטָהָרָה, וְגָזַר עַל הַשְּׁנִיּוֹת סְיָג לָעֲרָיוֹת:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**He weighed.** He made handles⁵⁰ for the Torah, like a basket which has no handles with which to grasp it, and he came along and made handles for it,⁵¹) for he instituted “eruvin” as a safeguard for the observance of the Shabbos, and the ritual washing of the hands as a safeguard for purity, and he instituted secondary forbidden marriages as a safeguard for the prohibitions against incest.

footnotes:
⁵⁰ I.e., ears [אזן]. See Maseches Eruvin 21b. Alternatively, “ואזן” means, “he let them hear.” (Metsudas Dovid)
⁵¹ By applying “handles” to various mitzvos, he made it easier to grasp them, in the same manner as it is easier to grasp a utensil with handles than one that is without handles. (Sifsei Chachomim


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:10:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:10:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:10:1)

**בִּקֵּשׁ קֹהֶלֶת.** נָתַן לִבּוֹ, וְחָזַר עַל הַדָּבָר, וּמְצָאוֹ:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Koheles sought.** He set his heart and sought the matter and found it.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:10:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:10:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:10:2)

**דִּבְרֵי חֵפֶץ.** הֲלָכָה לְמשֶׁה מִסִּינָי:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Words of delight.** The law [as it was given] to Moshe at Sinai.⁵²

footnotes:
⁵² The Gemara in Rosh Hashannah 21b expounds this verse, that Koheles sought to be like Moshe. A heavenly voice emerged and said, “and to write in a proper way [=וכתוב ישר] words of truth [דברי אמת];” and in Devarim 34:10 it states, "and no prophet has there arisen in Yisroel like Moshe." Another name for Devarim is ספר הישר which is alluded to [וכתוב ישר] in this verse. (Maharsha)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:10:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:10:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:10:3)

**וְכָתוּב ישֶׁר.** זֶה תּוֹרָה שֶׁבִּכְתָב וְהַנְּבִיאִים:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And to write in a proper way.** This refers to the written Torah and the Prophets.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:11:1)

**דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים.** שֶׁעָשׂוּ סְיָג לַתּוֹרָה בִּגְזֵרוֹת לְהַרְחִיק אֶת הָאָדָם מִן הָעֲבֵירָה, כְּגוֹן אֲכִילַת קָדָשִׁים עַד הַשַּׁחַר, וְהֵם אָמְרוּ עַד חֲצוֹת, וּקְרִיאַת שְׁמַע דְּעַרְבִית כְּמוֹ כֵן:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**The words of the wise.** They made a “fence” for the Torah with [various] decrees in order to distance a person from sin, e.g., eating hallowed things [is permitted] until dawn, but they declared “[only] until midnight,” and likewise, the evening recitation of Shema.⁵³

footnotes:
⁵³ See Mishnayos Berachos 1:1.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:11:2)

**כַּדָּרְבֹנוֹת.** מַה דָּרְבָן זֶה מְכַוֵּן אֶת הַפָּרָה לִתְלָמֶיהָ, כַּךְ דִּבְרֵיהֶם מְכַוְּנִים אֶת הָאָדָם לְדַרְכֵי חַיִּים:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Are like goads.** Just as this goad directs the cow to its furrows, so do their words direct a person to the ways of life.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:11:3)

**וּכְמַשְׂמְרוֹת נְטוּעִים.** מַה מַּסְמֵר זֶה קָבוּעַ, אַף דִּבְרֵיהֶם קְבוּעִים, וּמַה נְטִיעָה פָרָה וְרָבָה, אַף דִּבְרֵיהֶם פָּרִים וְרָבִים לִמְצוֹא בָהֶם טַעַם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Like well-fastened nails.** Just as this nail is permanent, so are their words permanent, and just as a sapling is fruitful and multiplies, so are their words fruitful and multiply, to find a reason for them.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:4
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:11:4)

**בַּעֲלֵי אֲסֻפּוֹת.** מַסְמְרִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם גּוּלְגוֹלֶת אֲסִיפָה וְגַסָּה, גרוס"ה בְּלַעַ"ז. כֵּן פֵּרְשׁוֹ דּוּנָשׁ בֶּן לָבְרַט:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Of the masters of [learned] assemblies.** Nails that have a large and thick head, *grose* in O.F. So did Dunash the son of Labrat explain it.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:5
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:11:5)

**נִתְּנוּ מֵרֹעֶה אֶחָד.** כָּל דִּבְרֵיהֶם דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים. הוּא אַמָרָן, וְרוֹעֶה אֶחָד נְתָנָן, משֶׁה מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה.

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**All were given from one Shepherd.** All their words are the words of the living God, He said them; and one shepherd⁵⁴. (*Sifsei Chachomim*) gave them, Moshe from the Almighty.

footnotes:
⁵⁴ The acronym of משה רבנו עליו השלום is מרעה [=from one shepherd], and that is why מרעה is spelled without a vav


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:6
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:11:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:11:6)

**וּכְמַשְׂמְרוֹת.** כְּתִיב בְּשִׂי"ן, שֶׁהַתּוֹרָה בְעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה סְפָרִים, וּכְמִנְיַן מִשְׁמְרוֹת כְּהֻנָּה וּלְוִיָּה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Like [well fastened] nails.** This is written with a *sin*, for the Torah, with its twenty-four books coincides with the number of the watches of the *Kohanim* and the *Levyim*.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:12:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:12:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:12:1)

**וְיֹתֵר מֵהֵמָּה בְּנִי הִזָּהֵר.** וְיוֹתֵר מִיּוֹשֶׁר דִּבְרֵי אֱמֶת, דְּבָרִים הַכְּתוּבִים בַּסְּפָרִים הַנִּזְכָּרִים לְמָעְלָה:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And furthermore my son be admonished.** More than the uprightness of the words of truth, the words written in the aforementioned books.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:12:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:12:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:12:2)

**בְּנִי הִזָּהֵר.** לִשְׁמֹר דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים, וְאִם תֹּאמַר: "אִם יֵשׁ בָּהֶם צוֹרֶךְ, לָמָה לֹא נִכְתְּבוּ"?

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**My son be admonished.** To observe the words of the Sages. Now if you ask, “If they are necessary, why were they not written down?”


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:12:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:12:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:12:3)

**עֲשׂוֹת סְפָרִים הַרְבֵּה אֵין קֵץ.** אִם בָּאנוּ לִכְתֹּב, לֹא הִסְפַּקְנוּ:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Of making many books there is no end.** If we would attempt to write, we would be unable to do so.⁵⁵

footnotes:
⁵⁵ See Rashi in Maseches Eruvin 21b. The sages did not write in the books all that one should be observing, because “there is no end,” i.e., it would be impossible to write everything in books.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:12:4
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:12:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:12:4)

**וְלַהַג הַרְבֵּה יְגִעַת בָּשָׂר.** וְאִם בָּא לָתֵת לֵב לְגִרְסָא חֲבִילוֹת יוֹתֵר מִמַּה שֶׁאֵין הַלֵּב מַשִּׂיג, יְגִיעָה הִיא לַבְּרִיּוֹת, שֶׁאֵין לְהַשִּׂיגוֹ, וְלֹא יֹאמַר: "הוֹאִיל וְלֹא אוּכַל לִגְמֹר הַמְּלָאכָה, לָמָּה אַתְחִיל"? אַךְ —

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And much study wears away the flesh.** And if he attempts to meditate⁵⁶) in large amounts [of Torah study], more than the heart can grasp, that is weariness to mankind that is not attainable, but let one not say, “Since I cannot complete the work, why should I begin?” But —

footnotes:
⁵⁶ Rashi understands that ולהג is like ולהגות, i.e., to meditate, from the root הגה, and the lamed is not part of the root. (Sifsei Chachomim


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:13:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:13:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:13:1)

**סוֹף דָּבָר הַכֹּל נִשְׁמָע אֶת הָאֱלֹהִים יְרָא.** מַה שֶׁתּוּכַל עֲשֵׂה, וְלִבְּךָ לַשָּׁמָיִם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**In conclusion after all has been heard, fear God.** Do what you can, and let your heart be [directed] toward Heaven.⁵⁷

footnotes:
⁵⁷ Alternatively, the Gemara in Maseches Berachos 6b expounds this verse, that if one is filled with fear of God [=את האלקים ירא], his words are listened to [הכל נשמע]. Or, everything a person does is heard before God [הכל נשמע] and nothing is concealed from Him, therefore fear God [=את האלקים ירא], and observe His commandments [ואת מצותיו שמור]. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:13:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:13:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:13:2)

**וְאֶת מִצְוֹתָיו שְׁמוֹר כִּי זֶה כָּל הָאָדָם.** כִּי לַדָּבָר הַזֶּה נִבְרָא כָּל הָאָדָם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And preserve His commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.** Because, for this purpose [only], the entire man was created.


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:14:1
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:14:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:14:1)

**כִּי אֶת כָּל מַעֲשֶׂה.** אֲשֶׁר אָדָם עוֹשֶׂה, יָבִיא הָאֱלֹהִים בְּמִשְׁפָּט. וּלְכַךְ נָקוּד "מַעֲשֶׂה" פַּתָּ"ח וְהַטַּעַם לְמַעְלָה, לְפִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ דָבוּק לַשֵּׁם:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**For every deed.** That a person performs, God will bring to judgment.⁵⁸ Therefore, מַעֲשֶׂה is vowelized with a *patach*, and the cantillation sign is above,⁵⁹) since it is not connected to “God.”⁶⁰

footnotes:
⁵⁸ Just as God does not allow any good deed, small as it may be, to go without reward, so too, He does not permit any bad deed, however small, to go without judgment. (Mesilas Yeshorim)
⁵⁹ I.e., the cantillation sign indicates a slight pause, separating it from the word that follows. (Sifsei Chachomim
⁶⁰ For every deed, God will bring to the great Judgment Day, and He will publicize it to all mankind whether good or bad. (Targum)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:14:2
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:14:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:14:2)

**עַל כָּל נֶעְלָם.** אֲפִילוּ עַל הַשּׁוֹגֵג:

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**And every hidden thing.** Even for the unintentional sin.⁶¹

footnotes:
⁶¹ Alternatively, man’s intention which is hidden from others, God will bring into judgment. (Metsudas Dovid)


###### Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:14:3
[Rashi on Ecclesiastes 12:14:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rashi%20on%20Ecclesiastes/r/12:14:3)

**אִם טוֹב וְאִם רָע.** אֲפִילּוּ נִכְשַׁל בְּמִצְוָה, כְּגוֹן נוֹתֵן צְדָקָה לְעָנִי בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא: **סוֹף דָּבָר הַכֹּל נִשְׁמָע אֶת הָאֱלֹהִים יְרָא וְגוֹ':**

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
**Whether good or bad.** Even if he stumbled in a commandment,⁶² e.g., giving charity to the poor in public.⁶³) ⁶⁴ **In conclusion after all has been heard, fear God, etc.**

footnotes:
⁶² Mesilas Yeshorim in Chapter 3 cites the Gemara in Maseches Eruvin 13b, that man should “examine” [יפשפש] his deeds; others say that he should “feel” [ימשמש] his deeds. He explains that the former [יפשפש] refers to examining actions which are not in accordance with God’s commandments and they should be eliminated. The latter [ימשמש] refers to investigating the good actions to determine any aspects of them which are not good and they should be removed.
⁶³ The Gemara in Maseches Chagigah 5a criticizes one who gives charity to a poor person in public, because it is an act which may shame him. And that is the meaning why even a good deed, “God will bring into judgment.” (Sifsei Chachomim
⁶⁴ The numerical value [gematria] of the last four words of Koheles, אם טוב ואם רע [=whether good or bad], is equal to 375, the same gematria as its author שלמה [=375]. Also, Koheles begins with a daled and ends with an ayin, alluding to I Divrei Hayomim 28:9 where Dovid instructs his son Shlomo, “Know [דע] the God of your father and serve him.”