Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.
“There is nothing new beneath the sun! Whatever has been is what will be, and whatever has been done is what will be done.” (Ecclesiastes) These words are profound and yet cynical. It was as though it does not matter what we do as everything is ordained. We all have been there. Nothing seems to go right. No matter how hard we try we come up empty.
But then we read further and it is here that Scripture emphasizes that there is no value to wealth if it is not shared in some way with others. We all know that poverty will never be eradicated, or homelessness eliminated, or hunger abated, but we do know that one person helping another will eventually begin a process that will relieve these afflictions. We may not always succeed.
There are many stories about the wisdom or value of our efforts. This one, however, speaks to the meaning of what it means to be there for those who need us the most. It speaks to the issue of deeds versus despair, of conceit versus humility. It was taught during a class, where the subject of preaching was discussed. Questions were asked about the value of a sermon and whether any person of faith influences the people listening.
After the class, the Sage asked one of his students about the lesson and whether he would like to accompany him as he traveled and preached. The student was overjoyed. To preach with the teacher—how wonderful! What an opportunity!
They set out on their journey. Along the way, the preacher stopped to help a poor widow. He and the student chopped wood and helped with the livestock. As they left the grateful woman, the student asked his teacher why he had not preached to her? He was told not to worry.
On and on, they visited village after village. In some there were sick people in need of some comfort and prayer In others there were people who needed someone to prepare food and feed them. Again, the student would ask, after each visit about preaching. And, as before, the preacher assured him that there was no cause for concern.
At the end of a full day, after they had tended to many others in need, the frustration was even more prominent. And, again, the student questioned the preacher about the preaching. Finally, he turned to the student and calmly and politely admonished, “What do you think we have been doing all day?”
Surely, there is nothing new under the sun, but we were placed here to establish goodness and mercy because all of us depend on this attitude for true completion. We may not feel as though our little bit helps, but it does if it is given with sincerity and compassion.
All who toil in the vineyard of goodness and mercy raise a banner of tenderness and sympathy to those who are reachable. All who volunteer to relieve the pain and suffering of others, speak to our goodness. All who extend themselves surely understand that forgiveness and leniency also help to relieve the suffering. We can turn with pride to their many achievements.
Perhaps Solomon (author of Ecclesiastes) was right that what has been done will be done. However perhaps what has been done can always be improved upon.