Work vs Study in orthodox Judaism

[hupo]

We have a group that meet every two weeks to discuss things proclaimed Jewish

Tonight's topic was around the fact that many religious Jews, especially the orthodox, believe in studying Torah at the expense of work.
It goes together with the fact that many who believe in the above, do not pull their weight in defending the country. They do not serve in the army. They believe that studying the Torah helps protect the Jewish people as a whole.

We saw, through several stories how the age old rabbis had a big debate about it even then. The RAMBAM, one of the greater rabbis was very much against this and said that anyone who studies Torah and doesn't work, will not benefit and in fact will lose his place in the after life.

Naturally there is much anger about this as these people receive a lot of tax payers money for their living. The money comes from those that DO work!

The way I see it is, first, anyone who doesn't work, looses something. There is something almost magical about work.
Second, God told us in Genesis that we will eat bread through our sweat.... let me see if I can find it....

Yes.... Gen 3:19 (ESV) "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

He never said "by the sweat of your neighbor's face...." !!

Anything come up for you about this?

David

[olivet]

David I agree...we all study the Bible and we all need to work

[Ruth Ann]

God knows what's good for us. Helping our neighbor does a lot for our health. Our immune systems are boosted when we help others.

Laughter also boosts the immune system. (Laughter is good medicine?)

And work is also very good for us. Physically, psychologically, spiritually.

God doesn't like it when we transform into slugs.   

[Ruth Ann]

Work is so good, Adam did it before the fall!! “Yahweh God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”
(Genesis 2:15 WEB)

And Paul told the early church that whoever didn't work, didn't get to eat..

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.””
(2 Thessalonians 3:10 WEB)

[hupo]

Being so obvious I do not understand where some are coming from when they feel their study is their only work

It is a practice by all too many here in Israel, and they are the ones who have many children.
I don't have a problem with many children of course but someone has to see to their needs, and needs cost money!

There is a word that fits:  Parasites

(WikiPedia: Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host.)

David

[a2jgrammy]

We have the same problems here , only they don't study the bible or much of anything.

What was set up to help people turned in to 'freeloaders' taking from those who really need it.

Sad...and I agree that God planned for us to keep work and provide for us and others too.

[Shon]

I'd say this verse sums it up quite well.

1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

One of my favorite verses about work - and giving!

Ephesians 4:28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.