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Why does Koheles call Torah (תורה) study, marriage, and work all forms of 'seeing life'? The shiur develops that these three activities share a unique power to redefine identity through bechirah - not just choosing actions, but choosing to become someone new. True marriage means internalizing your spouse's worldview, meaningful work actualizes your destined identity, and Torah transforms your essence.
Rabbi Zweig analyzes Koheles 9:9 which speaks of 'seeing life' (re'eh chayim) with one's wife, and Rashi (רש"י)'s commentary connecting this to Torah (תורה) study and earning a livelihood. The shiur explores why these three activities - Torah learning, marriage, and work - are all called 'life' and how they fundamentally transform a person. The discussion begins with the Gemara (גמרא) in Sanhedrin 81a which equates taking someone's livelihood with 'defiling his wife,' using remarkably strong language. This leads to examining why one's profession is considered so integral to their identity and life definition.
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Koheles 9:9
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Why don't the wise always have bread or the strong always win wars, as Koheles 9:11 observes? Success belongs entirely to God, not to human ability or effort. Our job is developing our capacities to the maximum while recognizing that whether those efforts translate to actual success remains God's decision alone.