Question
Why do we read Koheles on Sukkos?
Answer
The custom of reading Koheles on Shabbos Chol Ha-Moed Sukkos is mentioned by the Rema (Orach Chayim 490:9). A possible allusion to Sukkos in Koheles is 11:2, “Give a portion to seven and also to eight”, which the Talmud (Eruvin 40b) explains as referring to Sukkos and Shemini Atzeres; and the gathering of the people in the seventh month in Solomon’s time (1 Kings 8:2) is described as “Va-Yikohalu” (Machzor Vitri p.441). Another suggestion is that the phrase “Anascha be-simcha” (Koheles 2:1) refers to the water libation (nisuch ha-mayim) and the festival of the drawing of the water (simchas beis ha-shoevah), which took place on Sukkos.