Kohelet / Ecclesiastes
This writing from the Hebrew Bible is titled for the word the narrator uses to refer to himself, and the word (“kohelet”) is usually translated as “preacher” or “teacher.” “Ecclesiastes” is an English transliteration of the Greek translation of “kohelet;” “Ἐκκλησιαστής” means approximately “a member of a congregation.”
This week we’ll read about the first half of Kohelet, with some audio commentary, and discuss things on Tuesday. For Thursday, we’ll read a slightly condensed version of the myth of Sisyphus from Albert Camus’s essay titled “The Myth of Sisyphus.” For the Activity this week you’ll interview someone and write up what you learned. It would be best to do this after Thursday, but if you won’t have time at the end of the week you can do it earlier!
Kohelet Reading+Response
Read this selection and listen to the commentary when indicated by the black arrow on the side, then submit your Response.
Your Response should have three parts:
a. Words: Write down three words you learned (or learned more about) from the reading.
b. Ideas: Write down three ideas or concepts you learned about (or learned more about) from the reading
c. Prompt: Write a short response (100–200 words, minimum 100 words required) to the prompt in the reading.
Albert Camus, “The Myth of Sisyphus” (Selections)
Read this selection and listen to the commentary when indicated by the black arrow on the side, then submit your Response.
Your Response should have three parts:
a. Words: Write down three words you learned (or learned more about) from the reading.
b. Ideas: Write down three ideas or concepts you learned about (or learned more about) from the reading
c. Prompt: Write a short response (100–200 words, minimum 100 words required) to the prompt in the reading.
Kohelet Activity
Part 1: Keep a notebook or index cards with you as much as you can through the course of a full day. Pay attention to your concerns, worries, and motivations, and jot them down through the day.
Part 2: The next morning (or as close to this as your schedule allows), write down what Kohelet would say about the items on your list, and then spend the rest of that day trying to adopt Kohelet’s perspective.
Part 3: On the third day, write your thoughts about whether you think Kohelet’s perspective was good, or helpful, or right, or whether you think it was bad, unhelpful, or wrong, and why.
Don’t turn in the notes you wrote for yourself—turn in just parts 2 and 3. Part 2 should be at least 200 words, Part 3 should be at least 100 words, and the two together should be at least 400 words.
“Jerusalem _ Old City Walls _ Noam Chen_IMOT” by Israel_photo_gallery is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich