108 – Ethics of the Fathers – Perkei Avos 1:10 – The Jewish Work Ethic – Love Work and Hate Power – A Powerful Parable about the Train- A Great Story about the Goldschmidts – Peace in Your Home – Making a Living
1:10. Shmaayah and Avtalyon received from them. Shmaayah would say: Love work, loath mastery over others, and avoid intimacy with the government.
1:10. Shmaayah and Avtalyon received from them. Shmaayah would say: Love work, loath mastery over others, and avoid intimacy with the government.
שמעיה ואבטליון קיבלו מהם.שמעיה אומר:אהוב את המלאכה, ושנא את הרבנות, ואל תתודע לרשות.
There is a good word in the Tanach about work:
Pro 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Pro 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Pro 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Pro 6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
This is valid no matter we work to learn the Torah or any mundane work.
Sometimes we strive to get a position, for no good. Most rulers have difficulties more than normal people.
Sometimes, however, we think that we need to fight for this and that, and we very often forget to trust in Hashem, the Lord of Hosts. He has fought and given victories many times. And so will He do if we trust in Him, no matter in what position we hold in this life.
2Ch 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
2Ch 20:18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
We are supposed to do our part and do the mitzvos and learn the Torah. Most other things will be granted by His mighty hand.