Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Five particular books in the Bible are called Megillot, and each is ascribed to a specific holiday.

Esther is associated with Purim; Lamentations is associated with Tisha B'Av; Ruth is associated with Shavuot; Song of Songs is associated with Pesach; and Kohelet/Ecclesiastes is associated with Sukkot-Shmini Atzeret.

It is a custom to recite Kohelet on Shabbat Chol Ha'Moed Sukkot or Shmini Atzeret, if there is no Shabbat Chol Ha'Moed in a particular year.

Pesach begins the pilgrimage cycle and the beginning of an agricultural cycle. Song of Songs is attributed to a young King Solomon at that season.

Sukkot-Shmini Atzeret concludes the pilgrimage cycle and the end of an agricultural cycle. Kohelet is attributed to an aged King Solomon.

With the change of season, from Summer to Fall, from hot to cool, from dry to wet, certain verses in Kohelet have become famous even in secular culture:

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. 

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to uproot.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build.

A time to weep and a time to laugh.

A time to mourn and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them.

A time to embrace and a time to refrain.

A time to search and a time to give up.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be silent and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace. (3:1-8)"

Why is Kohelet associated with Sukkot/Shmini Atzeret? In his published essay, Rabbi David Golinkin of the Schechter Institute writes:

"It says in Kohelet - Distribute portions to seven or even to eight, which hints at the seven days of Sukkot and the eighth day which is Shmini Atzeret.

Solomon recited Kohelet at the Hakhel ceremony during the sabbatical year on Sukkot.

Kohelet urges people to rejoice in their portion and not run after increased wealth.

Too much joy causes lightheadedness and removes from the heart the humility needed to serve God from the heart.

Song of Songs is read on Pesach which symbolizes the Spring; Ruth is read on Shavuot the holiday of first fruits since it mentions the wheat harvest; Kohelet is read on Sukkot, the holiday of ingathering, since it represents old age and death."

I encourage us to find time on Shabbat Chol Ha'Moed or any time during Sukkot and Shmini Atzeret to find personal meaning in the Megillah, known as Kohelet/Ecclesiastes."

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison