What is the meaning of "u'Fanisi Ani b'Chol Ma'asai"?
Rav Sadya Gaon: I contemplated about all the wealth that I acquired.
Rashbam, Ri Kara, Metzudas David: I contemplated about all my deeds. Metzudas Tziyon - it is an expression of turning and going around.
Seforno: After I saw [that my understanding was only my portion; but my toil for perishables, also others have them], I turned to see what benefit I got from my toil for perishables.
Why does it add "uve'Amal she'Amalti [La'asos]"?
Ri Kara: "B'Chol Ma'asai she'Asu YAdai" is what I already did. "Uve'Amal she'Amalti" is I what I toiled in order to do it in the future.
Metzudas David: It is deeds that I did with exertion. The matter is repeated in different words.
What is "Hevel u'Re'us Ru'ach"?
Metzudas David: Hevel is something without eternal benefit; "Re'us Ru'ach" is a broken desire [that they persist].
Why is there no Yisron in them?
Rashi: I am lacking from all of them 1 .
Ri Kara: Today he toils for them, and tomorrow he dies, and leaves them to others [Rid - for "Dor Holech v'Dor Ba" (1:4)].
Seforno: The intellectual Nefesh gets nothing from them.
