In whom is Torah found?

Hi,

[The following is an expansion upon Devarim 30:12-13: "It [the Divine command] is not in the heavens, to say, 'Who will ascend to the heavens for us and take it for us, and teach it to us, and we will do it.' And it is not over the sea, to say, 'Who will cross the sea to the other side for us and take it for us, and teach it to us, and we will do it.'"]

"Shemuel said: 'It is not in the heavens' - Torah is not found in the arrogant. 'And it is not over the sea' – It is not found in the travelling merchants.

"Shemuel also said: Torah is not found in astrologers and astronomers, for 'It is not in the heavens.' Torah is found only in one who involves himself in the work of heaven."

(Talmud, Eruvin 55a)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

48 Ways: #16 - Minimizing commerce

Hi,

Pirkei Avot 6:5 teaches that Torah is acquired in 48 ways, which it lists for us. The sixteenth of the 48 is miut sechorah - minimizing commerce.

We are instructed to pursue a livelihood; some even explain a biblical verse, "You shall work for six days and perform all of your work," as a command requiring such work. However, there is neither enough time nor enough energy to specialize in ever pursuit, and one who wishes to achieve substantial success in Torah study will need to reduce his time spent in commerce.

Rambam's insistence upon the importance of earning a livelihood is well-known, but his advice [Mishneh Torah Hilchot Talmud Torah 1:12] was to spend three hours each day in a craft, and nine hours in Torah study (as well as eight hours in sleep! - Hilchot Deiot 4:4). Of course, times have changed, living standards have changed and the investment needed to earn a living has changed... but the demanding nature of excellence in Torah study remains.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Teach your child a trade

Hi,

"How do we know that a parent is obligated to teach his child a trade? It is written [Kohelet 9], 'See [choose] life, with the woman you have loved.'

"Either 'woman' refers to one's spouse, and just as a parent must marry off his child so a parent must teach his child a trade [so that the child will be able to live], or 'woman' refers to Torah, and just as a parent must =tach his child Torah so a parent must teach his child a trade [so that the child will be able to live]."

(Talmud, Kiddushin 30b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Be like a banker

Hi,

"Each individual is obligated to make every effort in pursuit of the honor of Gd, at all times, leaving himself only a little time to earn his household's needs, just as a banker makes do with small amounts of food when he goes off to the army."

(R' Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chafetz Chaim), Chomat haDat, Perek 1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai