Is all man's toil for his mouth?
Rav Sadya Gaon: If all man's toil and affairs are only in order to eat [Seforno - and he does not intend to benefit others] the Nefesh that desires will not be full or satiated with what it gets.
Rashi: It is so he will benefit and eat in this world and the next.
Ibn Ezra: This asks incredulously about a Kesil who did not see good. The primary reason for all toil is to live, and not die.
Rashbam, Ri Kara, Metzudas David: Yes.
Rid: It is in order to get benefit.
R. Avigdor, from Koheles Rabah: All man's toil in this world in Mitzvos and good deeds, it is Dai 1 for the breath that leaves his mouth.
Our text of the Midrash says 'it is not enough.' Radal, Torah Temimah - Man's merits are not enough for the benefit that Hashem puts breath in his mouth. Radal - alternatively, it is not enough to offset the sin of forbidden speech.
What is the meaning of "v'Gam ha'Nefesh Lo Simalei"?
Rav Sadya Gaon: Refer to 6:7:1:1.
Rashi: This is said in astonishment. Did he not attain even a little pleasure?!
Rashi (8): Also in the future, his Nefesh will not be full, for he did not do good deeds in his lifetime.
Ibn Ezra: Also the Nefesh will not be satiated, even if it has all wealth and food in the world. It says Gam, for just like the mouth is not full, for he swallows the food and it descends, [so the Nefesh is not satiated].
Rashbam: Every day he desires to eat.
Ri Kara: This is said in astonishment. Why is he stingy, and deny Tov from his Nefesh?!
Rid: What good is monetary wealth, "v'Lo Yashlitenu ha'Elokim Le'echol Mimenu" (2)?!
R. Avigdor citing Koheles Rabah #1: Even when the Nefesh leaves, it does not fill the cavity 1 .
R. Avigdor citing Koheles Rabah #2: Three do not appreciate those who benefit them - the Nefesh ("v'Gam ha'Nefesh Lo Simalei", for it is from upper beings 2 ), the land "Eretz Lo Sav'ah Mayim" (Mishlei 30:16), and a woman "Achlah u'Machasah Fiha
The continuation of the Midrash implies that it is hard to leave, for the opening is too narrow. Maharzu on the Midrash - this is for Resha'im. For Tzadikim, it leaves easily (Brachos 8a. The Gemara said so only about Misas Neshikah; surely the pain over leaving this world is based on how much one considered it his place. - PF)
Koheles Rabah: Whatever the body brings to it does not satisfy it, just like a villager who married a princess cannot satisfy her.
Metzudas Tziyon: Simalei is being cut off, like "Hasmalei v'Sukos Oro" (Iyov 40:31).
