Our last piece studied Shimon HaTzaddik’s listing of avodah as one of the world’s three pillars. Though Shimon HaTzaddik’s mention of avodah referred to korbanot and tefillah, work, which is also often referred to as avodah, is also important. Shemaya emphasized this importance when he encouraged us to “love work” (Av. 1:10). We should love work because it is an integral part of our lives in this world.
Torah She’Bichtav
Most Meforshim explain that this was the “avodah” Hashem expected from Adam HaRishon when He placed him in Gan Eden “l’ovdah u’l’shomrah – to work and protect it” (Ber. 2:15). Though Hashem created Gan Eden with its own “watering system,” (Ber. 2:6) He made Adam responsible for developing it to teach him the importance of his work.
This importance explains why Hashem included our responsibility to work within the mitzvah to observe Shabbat (Shem. 20:9). The commandment begins with the words “Sheshet yamim ta’aseh melacha – Six days you shall work” because the mitzvah not only prohibits work on the seventh day, but also commands us to work six days. Work is part of our covenant with Hashem.
Rebbe Yishmael (Ber. 35b) understood this to be the point made by the pasuk that appears in the second parsha of Keriyat Shema: “V’asafta d’ganecha – And you shall gather your grain.” Rebbe Yishmael explained the pasuk as prescriptive: “Hanheg bahem minhag derech eretz” – in addition to learning Torah, we are meant to spend time acting “in accordance with the ways of the world.” Working the field is so crucial that we spend time we would have devoted to Torah working the fields instead.
Rabban Gamliel (the son of Rebbe) took this idea even further by teaching that a life of Torah learning that is not complemented by work will “end up failing and leading to sin” (Av. 2:2). Work is not just independently valuable. It ensures that our Torah study facilitates a healthy, sustainable, and spiritual life.
The Importance of Work
Chazal emphasized the importance of work in many places. The Midrash (B”R 39:8) attributes this value to the very first Jew. After Hashem commanded Avraham to leave home without specifying his destination, he visited various countries. When he encountered lands whose people spent their days partying, he said, “I hope that I am not meant to live here.” When he arrived in Eretz Yisrael and saw people working the land, he declared, “I hope that this is where Hashem intends for me to be.” Hashem responded and said, “Indeed, this is the place.” Avraham appreciated the importance and positive nature of productive physical labor.
Chazal go even further by asserting that planting takes precedence even over welcoming Mashiach. They taught that a person who hears that Mashiach has arrived while he is planting should finish planting and only then go to greet Mashiach (ADR”N 2:31). Greeting Mashiach is not our priority; planting is.
Chazal saw work as more than just a value. They saw it as a condition for a serious, mature life. The Mishna (San. 24b) therefore disqualifies a person who earns his livelihood through gambling from testifying in court. One who does not take life seriously cannot be trusted.
The Gemara explains that we disqualify such a person’s testimony because gamblers are not “oseik b’yishuvo shel olam – involved in developing the world.” Hashem gifted us the world expecting us to develop it. The Rambam (Gez. 6:11) sharpens this idea by describing the gambler as violating the prohibition (!) against being involved in meaningless pursuits. He explains that Hashem put us in this world to focus on two things: developing ourselves and developing the world.
Rebbe Akiva learned from the mitzvah of brit milah and the fact that humans are born with an umbilical cord we need to cut, that we are supposed to work to finish what Hashem created (M”T Taz. 5). Hashem began a process of creation He intends us to continue.
The Kotzker Rebbe saw this idea in the Torah’s first word – “Bereishit.” He explained that Hashem created the reishit (beginning); the rest He left to us to complete.
Emulation
Work is not just how we continue Hashem’s creation, it is also how we emulate Him. The Midrash (V”R 25:3) encourages us to follow Hashem’s ways by emulating His first actions after He created the land – planting and developing.
Rav Kook’s appreciation of this idea caused him to tremble while planting a tree at a ceremony celebrating the establishment of Magdiel. The organizers gave Rav Kook a hoe to use to dig a hole, but he threw it aside and began digging with his bare hands instead. Suddenly, his entire body seemed to quiver and shake, and his face looked like a burning flame as he placed the sapling in the ground with awe and trepidation.
“What is all this excitement about?” he was asked. “Thank G-d, people plant hundreds of trees every day in Eretz Yisrael.” Rav Kook replied, “When I held that tender sapling in my hand, I remembered the imperative to emulate G-d and walk in His ways. When I was about to put the sapling in the ground, I remembered these words and felt as if I was clinging to the Shechinah. Thus, I was overcome by emotion, fear, and trembling” (An Angel Among Men, pg. 273-274).
Loving Work
Work is also part of how we realize our true selves. We see this from Shemaya’s emphasis on loving work. We should not only do work; we should love it.
The Gemara (Ber. 43b) tells us that Hashem ingrains within each of us a love for the type of work we are supposed to be involved in. Because work is part of the mission Hashem intends for us in this world, He instills this love to guide us to our intended job and inspire us to commit ourselves to it. When we work, we realize part of our Divine destiny.
Understandably, Rebbe Tarfon taught that people only die once they find themselves without something constructive to do (ADR”N 11:1). Sefer Iyov summarized this idea in three words: “Adam l’amal yulad – Man was born to work” (Iy. 5:7). When we work, we realize our mission in life; when we are idle, we do not justify our existence.
A Necessary Evil?
We all need to work hard to support ourselves. It is important to internalize Shemaya’s message that this work is not a “necessary evil,” but rather, one of Hashem’s basic expectations from us. Realizing this can help us approach our work in a way that allows us to enjoy and even love it.
May internalizing Shemaya’s words help us develop ourselves as complete ovdei Hashem who serve Him in all of our endeavors!