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THE WEEKLY SIDRA- LECH L’CHA
Rabbi Moshe Greebel

A wise person once made note that the only thing worse than having to go to work, was not having work to go to. In truth, working for a living, is considered a very honorable endeavor in the Torah. When HaShem placed Adam HaRishon in Gan Eden (Garden of Eden), the Passuk (verse) informs us:

“And HaShem G-d took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to work it and to keep it.” (B’raishis 2:15)

Additionally, when it comes to the Mitzvah of Shabbos, we are told:

“Six days shall you labor, and do all your work…..” (Sh’mos 20:9)

As well, we find this very same high regard for a profession among the words of our Rabbanim, of blessed memory:

“Rabban Gamliel the son of Rabbi Y’huda HaNasi would say, ‘Excellent is the study of Torah together with a worldly occupation, for the energy taken up by both of them, keeps sin out of one’s mind…..’” (Avos 2-2)

In the very same Mishna, we see:

“…..And, all study of the Torah where there is no worldly occupation, the end thereof (of the Torah study) comes to naught.” (ibid. 2-2)

The Gemarah in Kiddushin 29a, has this to say:

“Rabbi Y’huda said, ‘He who does not teach his son a craft, teaches him brigandage (thievery)!’”

The above examples are simply just a few of the instances in which the Torah and our Rabbanim praised one who works for his living, regardless of how wealthy he might be. But, what has all this to do with the weekly Sidra?

In answer to this question, the following Midrash in B’raishis Rabbah 39-8, is offered:

“Rabbi Laivi said, ‘When Avraham was travelling through Aram Naharayim and Aram Nachor (the lands of his father), he saw its inhabitants eating, and drinking, and reveling. “May my portion not be in this country!” he exclaimed. But when he reached the promontory of Tyre (the border of Canaan), and saw them engaged in weeding and hoeing at the proper seasons, he exclaimed, “Would that my portion might be in this country!” Said HaKadosh Baruch Hu to him, “Unto your seed have I given this land (B’raishis 12:7)!”’”

While still in the land of his fathers, Avraham disapproved highly of the inhabitants who idled away their time, without any inclination to work for their sustenance. But, when HaShem commanded Avraham to relocate to Eretz Canaan, it did not take long for Avraham to find out that there was something very special about that land- it’s inhabitants worked. And, in the Torah as we have seen, work is held in high esteem.

Citing the Zohar HaChadash, the Yalkut Mai’am Lo’aiz (page 247) instructs the following. The most important aspect of a person’s life is dependent on this matter- to have an occupation. Even though one stems from wealthy and scholarly forefathers, he should not harden his heart against practicing any occupation or craft, and being satisfied to simply wile away the time adorned in royal gowns. Know, that such a man will surely eventually die by hunger.

For, he may have sufficient funds from an inheritance or a profitable business for the time being, which will allow him to live in the style in which he is accustomed. But, never engaging in an occupation, will eventually cause his funds to run out, in this ever revolving world of fortune and poverty. And, since such a person will be too ashamed to sit in a common store and sell to earn a living, he will eventually quietly die of hunger.

In the text Yaish Nochalin, the following Passuk is put forward:

“He who goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come back with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (T’hillim 126:6)

That is, the one who goes holding himself in the greatness of his forefathers, wears beautiful attire, and brags that it is not fitting for him to engage in an occupation, will eventually find himself without an occupation when he desperately will need one. He will be too proud to disclose his penury to any man, and go and cry in hidden places for shame, where no one will know to have mercy on him. That is what is meant by, ‘He who goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing.’

However, one who engages daily in an occupation, working hard, will always be a content man who, ‘Shall come back with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.’ And, all the days he brings his produce to the market, will he experience fulfillment, and lack nothing. The Gemarah in B’rachos 8a instructs:

“…..A man who lives from the labor (of his hands) is greater than the one who fears heaven.”

That is quite an amazing statement by the Gemarah in B’rachos concerning honest labor, in whatever form that labor may take.

And so, we see from our most esteemed forefather Avraham Avinu, how he preferred to reside in a land where all the inhabitants engaged in an occupation, and earned their sustenance by the toil of their hands.

Perhaps, the best summation for all we have thus far seen, is found in Avos 1-10, where we are given the following to consider:

“…..Love work, hate acting the superior, and do not bring yourself to the knowledge of the ruling authority.”

May we soon see the G’ulah Sh’laimah in its complete resplendency- and in our times.

Good Shabbos.

 

NCYI's Weekly Divrei Torah Bulletin is sponsored by the Henry, Bertha and Edward Rothman Foundation - Rochester, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Circleville, Ohio

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