Sirach

Introduction:

The Book of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus, is a deuterocanonical wisdom book in the Old Testament, written around 180 BCE by Yeshua ben Eleazar ben Sira, a Jewish scribe, and later translated into Greek by his grandson. Composed in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period, it addresses Jewish life under Hellenistic influence, offering moral and practical guidance.

From a Catholic perspective, Sirach is authoritative scripture, included in the canon since the early Church, as affirmed by councils like Trent (1546). Its theology emphasizes **fear of the Lord** as the foundation of wisdom (Sir 1:11–20).

 It presents wisdom as a divine gift, personified and rooted in God’s law, prefiguring Christ as the Word and Wisdom of God.

The book’s teachings cover ethical living, social justice, humility, charity, and proper conduct in family, friendship, and society. It stresses virtues like prudence, temperance, and justice.

 Sirach also underscores free will, accountability for sin, and divine justice (Sir 15:11–20).

 Its reflections on death and divine providence can be found in (Sir 41) 

The book’s practical advice—on speech, almsgiving, and respect for the poor, while its praise of God’s creation and Israel’s heroes (Sir 42–50) gives a 

view of salvation history. Used in Catholic liturgy and catechesis, Sirach bridges Jewish tradition and Christian ethics, emphasizing a life of virtue in communion with God.