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Why does Koheles 8:5 state seemingly obvious truths about mitzvos and divine judgment? The answer lies in how wicked people exploit the parent-child relationship with God, reasoning that like indulgent parents, God won't ultimately destroy His children. However, divine commandments function as life-giving principles - violating them leads to self-destruction, not divine punishment.
Rabbi Zweig begins by questioning why Koheles 8:5 states seemingly obvious truths: that those who observe mitzvos won't know evil, that the wise know there's a time of judgment, and that people cannot control death. These statements appear unnecessarily simplistic until examined through real-life parent-child dynamics. Two incidents with parents who couldn't discipline misbehaving children because "it's too hard to deal with an unhappy child" provided the key insight. Children exploit their parents' limitations, knowing parents won't ultimately destroy them, creating a power dynamic where children feel they can do whatever they want.
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Koheles 8:5
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Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
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Why couldn't Moshe and Shlomo understand divine justice when later sages could explain it theologically? The concealment isn't about justice but about relationship - we cannot tell if good or bad events reflect God's approval or disapproval. This deliberate ambiguity preserves authentic moral choice by preventing us from becoming mere approval-seekers rather than genuine moral agents.
