This animated music video connects the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes to the Jewish festival of Sukkot, through an R&B song by Israeli singer/songwriter, Hadara Levin Areddy, known for her edgy lyrics. Attributed to King Solomon, described in Jewish tradition as the wisest man on Earth, Ecclesiastes provides advice for how to live a meaningful, good life, despite the fact that all of the actions of this world are futile. The author encourages man to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, while remembering that life is meaningless without God, which connects it to the particularly joyous festival of Sukkot. This song was produced by BimBam, an organization that creates creative digital media about Judaism.
Ecclesiastes is read in synagogue on either Shemini Atzeret or the Shabbat of the Intermediate Days of Sukkot, depending on the custom of the community. Shemini Atzeret – literally, the “Eighth Day of Assembly” – is the holiday following the seven days of Sukkot in Israel, coinciding with Simchat Torah, or coinciding with the final day of Sukkot in the Diaspora, where festival days are celebrated for two days instead of one.