Rabbi Weissman: Teaching your Son

 The Obligation to Teach Your Son a Trade

And why do soldiers have more PTSD than the stars of Hostage Reality TV?

Our regular weekly Torah class returned today with a powerful essay from the Sefer Habris, in which he excoriates the increasingly widespread practice for fathers to teach their children exclusively Torah, and refrain from teaching them a trade.

He refutes those who lean on the oft-hijacked statement of Rabbi Nehorai at the end of Kiddushin, that he will only teach his son Torah, noting that they misunderstand the meaning of his words, and that the halacha that a father is obligated to teach his son a trade is not disputed by anyone, including Rabbi Nehorai.

The essay is filled with fundamental lessons and warnings that are relatable to present times. For example, what happens when there are far too many people who want to be career rabbis than jobs for them all (and many of them are not remotely qualified, besides)? What happens when there is a glut of Torah scholars who want teaching jobs (or, as is now, learn Torah for a living), and not nearly enough students for them to teach?

What happens when this imbalance drives down teacher salaries, forcing teachers to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet?

What happens when reality sets in? What happens to the Torah and avodas Hashem of these people, who never learned a trade? What happens to their wives and children? When did relying on handouts become more honorable than earning a living through one’s own work, however modest?

Frankly, what will happen to all the day traders and liberal arts majors when the system finally blows up, and the most sought-after people will be those who know how to build things, fix things, grow things, and do things?

The Sefer Habris also discusses the great chillul Hashem this phenomenon of scorning work would cause. He eerily predicted how it would provoke slander from the goyim regarding “what those Jews teach their children from the Talmud”, and even physically endanger Jews on the individual and national level. (They will hate us no matter what, of course, but we don’t need to give even 1% validation to their blood libels.)

He wrote this in Vilna in the 1700s.

In 2007, before I’d even heard of the Sefer Habris, an article of mine was published on the front page of the Jewish Press called The Obligation to Work. Click on the link or see the end of this post, where I’ve copied it. As I noted in the class, this article, which is full of clear Torah sources, received a barrage of letters to the editor, both praising me for finally saying what needed to be said, and expressing outrage for going against “Da’as Torah” or whatever.

(This was back when we had some semblance of an independent Jewish media that wanted original, thought-provoking material, not just official narrative propaganda. My most boring post is more interesting and thought-provoking than anything the sold-out media will offer you today, and that’s precisely the way they want it. That tells you all you need to know about the media.)

I really hope you’ll take the time to listen to the class, in which I translated the entire chapter from Sefer Habris word for word. It’s not available in English anywhere else, and, as with the prophetic teachings of Rav Wasserman, it’s time we cared less about social pressure, and more about being true and finally getting it right.

For those who want more on the subject, here is a class from two years ago with career guidance from the Chovos Halevavos. It’s something they didn’t teach me in yeshiva, and they’re not teaching it today. Your local yeshiva boys are too busy being force-fed useless pilpul, and your local seminary girls are too busy being taught vacuous “hashkafa”. They aren’t learning the fundamentals of Judaism and life.

It’s up to us to teach them.

I haven’t been following Hostage Reality TV. I can’t name a single hostage that was recently freed or tell you any of their stories. I know, this makes me a very bad and uncaring person. Shame on me. Meanwhile, you don’t care about Amiram Ben Uliel, the people of North Korea, or people injured by vaccines, so shame on you.

I haven’t watched the dramatic made-for-TV moments of the hostages reuniting with their loved ones, captured by camera crews for your voyeuristic pleasure, because that’s entirely normal and appropriate, and not at all intended to distract and brainwash you.

In any case, I did see in one of the free propaganda rags some hostage talking about how they were brutally tortured for nearly two years (in ways that remind me of what the Shabak did to Amiram Ben Uliel), and how it’s a miracle that any of them are still alive.

Mere days later, we see pictures and videos of many of these hostages celebrating at big public events, playing music, conducting interviews, etc. No sign of PTSD. No mention of it.

Meanwhile, thousands of IDF soldiers, who suffered greatly, but surely far less than these people, are broken with PTSD and can’t function. Frankly, much of the general population is cracking up. But the hostages on TV are showing no signs of PTSD after two years of being suspended from chains, starved, beaten, and tortured?

Make that make sense.

My theory, which I can’t prove, but which does make sense: some of these hostages, particularly the media darlings, the ones who are paraded around looking all rosy and cheerful, are state actors.

The ones who are in horrible shape physically and mentally, and the ones who might be demanding to know where the hell the IDF was on October 7, are not being paraded around and getting lots of media attention. They were probably given some money, told to just be happy they’re home, and to shut up if they know what’s good for them.

Why would the regime do this? Simple. As always, they need to control the narrative, and this is the best way to control the hostage narrative.

They had crisis actors and Pandemic Reality TV to push their Covid narrative, too. You’d never have put on a mask, stayed home, and even considered taking a shot otherwise.

And your reaction over the hostage “deal” would be very different if they didn’t control this narrative, too.

The Obligation to Work

February 21, 2007, The Jewish Press

We live in a world where no truth can be taken for granted. It is difficult for me to imagine that the premise of this article would even need to be discussed in any prior generation, let alone bear the status of an “underdog” opinion. Nevertheless, the notion that it is an obligation for Jewish males to support themselves and those dependent on them has become so unpopular that in many circles those who work for a living are looked down upon as Jews who do not fear heaven.

In the absence of prophets, Hashem speaks to us in two ways: through His Torah and through His handiwork. Indeed, the very nature of the world that Hashem created reflects the necessity for Man to work. If it were true that the “ideal” lifestyle is to completely immerse oneself in Torah study, then a critical mass of people attaining this ideal lifestyle would spell the death of the human race. 

It is inconceivable that the ideal state of existence in this world is not self-sustaining without nature-defying miracles. (This is one of the great refutations of the Christian sects that promote celibacy as the holiest lifestyle.) Consequently, the nature of Hashem’s handiwork dictates the necessity to work as a component of the ideal and intended lifestyle.

The physical frailty of the human being also indicates that Hashem intended for Man to work. After all, the primary motivation for most people to work is to pay their bills, to be able to provide the basic physical necessities. Fortunate is the individual who derives personal and spiritual gratification from his occupation in addition to his paycheck. Were Man created in such a way that he did not require constant expenditures on physical needs, the average person would have little interest in working — and thereby the world would grind to a halt. It is only because of our physical needs and interdependence on one another for survival that society functions and can progress.

This is a key point that is often neglected by those who argue in favor of working. Although Hashem indeed made it necessary for people to work in order to survive, the reasons to work do not end at survival. After all, the need for survival is merely the mechanism by which Hashem compels people to work. But there is a deeper purpose to working that transcends one’s selfish needs: contributing to yishuv ha’olam, the needs and development of society, or, more simply, to make the world go ’round.

When viewed in this light, whether one is a world-class surgeon or a truck driver, he fulfills the will of Hashem through his worldly labor. The world needs a healthy supply of manpower and talent in all occupations, and the Jewish people should be amply represented — in fact, should serve as role models for their colleagues.

Of course, Hashem expects one to properly balance his physical pursuits with spiritual pursuits. The proper balance will vary from person to person, but it is not a mainstream Jewish lifestyle to be engaged exclusively in the physical or the spiritual, nor is involvement in the physical world to be denigrated as “less than ideal”. It is in the physical realm that one’s achievements in the spiritual realm are brought to life and have the greatest impact on civilization.

While there is certainly no shortage of Torah sources that admonish us not to place primary importance on the physical world, which is temporary, there is also a wealth of Torah sources that emphasize the importance of working and supporting oneself.

In Parshas Noach the dove returned to the ark with an olive branch to indicate that it is preferable to subsist on a bitter sustenance that nevertheless comes directly from Hashem (through one’s own work being blessed) than to subsist on handouts (Sanhedrin 108B). The Maharsha notes that we in fact pray for this regularly in Bircas Hamazon: “Please, Hashem our G-d, don’t cause us to be dependent on the gifts of people nor even their loans, but on Your full, open hand — in order that we not be humiliated.”

Indeed, subsisting on charity is consistently portrayed in Torah literature as the harshest of fates, certainly not a fate that should be pursued. “A poor man is considered like a dead man.” (Nedarim 64B) “Make your Shabbos profane (by not honoring the day with special food) rather than make yourself dependent on others.” (Shabbos 118A)

Our parents and grandparents understood and appreciated the degradation of accepting a handout, let alone asking for one. Many of them scraped by week after week, yet continued to work all kinds of unglamorous jobs with pride and determination to support themselves and their families. Accept charity? Over their dead bodies.

Nowadays, however, it has become fashionable to snub supporting oneself as being beneath a true Torah Jew, and prominent rabbis regularly “endorse” charitable “causes” that our ancestors would scoff at. Their determination, work ethic, pride, and keen sense of priorities are largely absent in our generation. The ideal is now portrayed as someone who is “completely immersed” in Torah study to the exclusion of all worldly interest and involvement.

In Torah literature, however, supporting oneself through the labor of one’s hands, relying only on Hashem for one’s sustenance, is portrayed as the ideal. Working for a living — and in fact working as a contribution to society and personal development — is consistently spoken of in the highest of terms. In fact, an entire chapter of Pirkei Avos D’Rabbi Nasan, chapter 22, has been dedicated just to drive home this point, filled with statements by many of the most prominent authors of the Mishna. 

A selection:

“Shemaya said, ‘One is obligated to love work and to engage in work.”
“Rabbi Eliezer said, ‘Work is great, for just as the Jews were commanded regarding Shabbos, so were they commanded regarding work, as it says ‘Six days you shall work and do all of your work.’”
“Rebbe said, ‘Work is great, for people speak negatively about all those who don’t work. From where does he eat? From where does he drink?”
“Rebbe further said, ‘Work is great, for those who are engaged in work always have some money on hand.”
“Rabbi Yosi said, ‘Work is great, for anyone who is not engaged in work is responsible for his own death. How so?
Through idleness he will run out of money for food and may come to misappropriate money belonging to hekdesh.” (In modern times, one may be drawn to other forbidden behaviors to raise money.)
“Rabbi Eliezer said, ‘Work is great, for one who benefits the value of even one peruta from hekdesh is a transgressor, yet laborers in the Bais Hamikdash receive their wages from hekdesh.”
“Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya said, ‘Work is great, for every tradesman takes pride in his trade. He goes out with his uniform or instrument and takes pride in his trade. Even Hashem called attention to His own work….”

“They further said, work is great, for even if one has a dilapidated courtyard or garden, he should go and involve himself with them so that he should be involved in work.”

These sources sing the praises of working, as a source of livelihood, as a source of personal gratification, as a protection from sin brought about by self-imposed poverty, and, without question, as a mandate from Hashem. And they are referring to skilled labor or physical labor, not Torah study. Torah study is a companion to work, not a substitute.

The Pnei Yehoshua notes an apparent contradiction between a comment of Rashi in Bava Kama 100A and another in Bava Metzia 30B. In one place Rashi interprets “the house of one’s life” as the study of Torah, whereas in the other place he interprets it as learning a trade through which to support oneself. 

The Pnei Yehoshua explains that these are two sides of the same coin; Moshe was informing the Jews that with their study of Torah they should not neglect to acquire a trade. This is in line with the teaching in Pirkei Avos (2:2) that Torah that is not accompanied by “the way of the land” (meaning working) is destined to fail. Acquiring a trade is the primary “life” of Torah study. So writes the Pnei Yehosua. (Bava Kama 100A)

The Medrash Rabba comments on Koheles 9:9 that the Pious of Jerusalem earned that distinction by working in the winter and learning Torah in the summer. (This is quoted by the Ran in Brachos 9B.) Others have it that they divided their days into thirds, one part each for prayer, Torah study, and working.

In the Rambam’s hierarchy of charity, the highest level is making the poor person self-reliant so that he no longer needs charity. Suggestions include offering him a job, teaching him a trade, or giving him a free loan to further a business enterprise.

My father once offered a job to a young man who was shnorring money during morning prayers. (He was one of those professional, enterprising shnorrers who come from out of town in a van full of shnorrers to collect in various shuls. I sometimes wonder how one gets one of these limited spots in what is surely a competitive new industry.) The young man scoffed at my father’s offer, claiming he makes more money collecting — this, from someone with no education and no discernible skills. Nowadays subsisting indefinitely on charity is not a last option that is painfully resorted to, but a business decision, if not a dream for those who are fortunate enough to merit it. The Rambam is turning over in his grave.

There is a mitzvah to help someone load his animal with merchandise that has fallen off. The Torah qualifies this mitzvah by applying it only to situations in which the owner of the animal participates in loading the animal (assuming he is physically able to do so). However, if the owner crosses his legs, sips some lemonade, and tells you to do a mitzvah and work on his behalf, there is no obligation to help him. One who performs work for this person, who expects others to do more for him than he is prepared to do for himself, is known as a sucker.

It is true that there is a tradition of wealthy businessmen making private arrangements to support outstanding Torah scholars in exchange for a share in the mitzvah. However, there is no precedent for the welfare communities, the widespread intentional impoverishment that we are witnessing today. This brings neither glory to the Torah nor Torah scholarship to the Jewish people. 

While Chazal emphasize maximizing one’s time to learn and encourage certain individuals to make a career of learning and teaching, this never was and was never meant to be popularized for the masses. Chazal themselves emulated their own model of supporting themselves, and who is to say they are greater and deserve more?

The great luminary Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch summed it up best: “But as help and support for necessitous poverty is ensured under the regime of Jewish Torah law, Zedaka does not shame the recipient who requires it. Yea in the spirit of this law, one who is unable to work, or is out of employment, or, out of misplaced pride, goes short himself, or makes his family go short in the necessities of life rather than to resort to Zedaka to which he is entitled is taking a grave responsibility on himself — it is as though he is spilling blood (Yerushalmi at the end of Pe’ah).

“But just this law lays very great value on retaining self-independence, on restricting oneself to the bare necessities of life, on taking on what in the eyes of the thoughtless world is looked down on as the very lowest work to avoid having to recourse to charity. Nowhere in the world is honest work to gain an independent living held in such high esteem and honor as was the case in ancient Jewish circles. 

Our greatest spiritual heroes, whose light still illuminates us, and to whom their age and all ages looked up to, and still look up to full of respect and honor, a Hillel, a Rebbi Yehoshua, a R. Chanina and R. Auchio, a R. Huna all lived in the most straightened circumstances and earned their living as a woodchopper, cobbler, porter, drawer of water, and by their example taught the maxim, ‘live no better on Sabbath than on the rest of the week and be independent’; ‘skin carcasses in the open market and get paid, and do not say ‘I am a priest, am a learned man, such work is beneath me.’’

“At the end of Pea, the Mishna says: ‘He who does not really require Zedaka and still takes it, will not be allowed to leave this world without having to resort to charity out of dire necessity. But he who really could be entitled to take charity but manages to live without doing so will not leave this world in his old age without having supported others out of his own fortune.’” (Hirsch Commentary on the Torah, Judaica Press edition, Devarim page 275).

These powerful words are a stinging rebuke to our generation. If the comprehensive words of our Sages are not enough to cause us to rethink the proper balancing of our priorities, an increasingly grim reality eventually will. If the many thousands of able-bodied Jewish men who decline to contribute to the economy decided to support themselves while still devoting themselves to Torah study, countless millions of tzedaka dollars would become available — perhaps even to the extent that providing a solid Jewish education to all of our children could become readily affordable. Is this not a more appropriate use of our resources? Would this not build a better foundation for the future?

We can dismiss the exhortations of Chazal and rationalize the status quo, or we can make important changes before change is thrust upon us against our will. The choice is ours.

Visit chananyaweissman.com for the mother lode of articles and books.

Visit rumble.com/c/c-782463 for my Torah classes, Amalek and Erev Rav programs, and much more.

Buy my books on Amazon here or contact me directly to purchase in Israel.

Download Sefer Kibbutz Galuyos pdf here or ePUB here, or buy on Amazon here.

Download Tovim Ha-Shenayim as a PDF for free!

weissmans@protonmail.com