Inspirational Moment

The Talmud Yerushalmi (Shevi’is Perek 9 ) tells us that R’ Shimon Bar Yochai wanted to see what was taking place in the outside world. He emerged from the cave where he had been hiding for more than twelve years and observed a hunter spreading out a net in order to capture the bird that was flying overhead. A Heavenly Voice called out: “Dimus – mercy,” and the bird was saved. R’ Shimon Bar Yochai remarked, “Just as anything that happens to the bird must be decreed from Heaven, certainly any experience of the human being is controlled by the Word of Heaven.” And he left the cave.

One should be aware that work – employment, a vocation, labor -- is commended by our chachamim. The mishnah states in Pirkei Avos (1:10), “Ehav es hamelacha – love work.”

Rabbeinu Yonah asserts that one who becomes accustomed to sitting idly will be unable to work again because he will not be used to it.

The Ramban states in Hilchos Dei’os 4:15 that as long as a person keeps working he tends to be healthy. But one who sits idle and does not toil his kochos become weakened and illness befalls him.

Then again, one must have a true understanding of the heart and mind of each child to be able to identify the type of “work” that is suitable for each individual.

The gemara in Kiddushin (29a) quotes R’ Meir that one should teach his son an umnus – a profession. Later on (82a) R’ Nehorai states, “I leave all of the professions in the world and I will teach my son Torah.” This seems to imply two different opinions.

Furthermore, the gemara in Eruvin (13b) tells us, “His name is not R’ Meir; his name is Nehorai, but he is called Meir because he elucidated the halacha,” i.e. R’ Meir and R’ Nehorai refer to the same individual.

As one who clarified the halacha and guided the klal, R’ Meir recommended that a father should teach his child a profession; however, for his own child, he felt that the profession of Torah was the appropriate choice.

The Minchas Yitzchok was once visited by parents who wanted their son to leave yeshiva and to enroll in a university to pursue a career. Their son, however, expressed a sincere desire to remain in yeshiva full time to continue his Torah studies. The Gaon encouraged the parents to allow their son to continue his yeshiva studies uninterrupted. In fact, he promised the parents that they would merit to enjoy unparalleled nachas from this young bachur.

One winter Shabbos morning, in honor of the bar mitzvah celebration taking place in shul, I quoted this story. There were many strangers in shul, guests who had come to daven with us, and during the Kiddush I was approached by an individual. He seemed very agitated and distressed by my message that respected the exclusivity of Torah. I tried to mollify him by explaining that I had been describing this particular bachur’s unrequited desire to pursue Torah study. I extended an invitation to him to come home with me, so that I could show him the teshuvah inside the sefer and we could further discuss its implications.

He accepted. After reading through the sheiloh and teshuvah together with me, the man broke down in tears. He explained that he had not been on speaking terms with his son since the beginning of the Elul zman because they disagreed about his future plans. He wanted his son to begin studying for a profession, but his son only wanted to remain in the bais medrash.

Now, explained the man, he must go ask his son mechilah and give him his blessing to continue learning in yeshiva.