Torah Study with or without Work

The sages taught: What [is the meaning of that which] the verse states: And you shall gather your grain? Because it is stated: This Torah shall not depart from your mouths, [and you shall contemplate in it day and night] (Joshua 1:8), I might [have thought] that these matters are [to be understood] as they are written; [one is to literally spend his days immersed exclusively in Torah study. Therefore,] the verse states: And you shall gather your grain, [your wine and your oil,] assume in their [regard] the way of the world; [set aside time not only for Torah but also for work. This is] the statement of R. Ishmael.

[R. Simeon ben Yoḥai] says: Is it possible that a person plows in the plowing season and sows in the sowing season and harvests in the harvest season and threshes in the threshing season and winnows in the windy season, [as grain is separated from the chaff by means of the wind, and is constantly busy]; what will become of Torah? Rather, [one must dedicate himself exclusively to Torah at the expense of other endeavors; as] when Israel performs God’s will, their work is performed by others, as it is stated: And strangers will stand and feed your flocks, [and foreigners will be your plowmen and your vinedressers] (Isaiah 61:5). When Israel does not perform God’s will, their work is performed by them [themselves, as it is stated]: And you shall gather your grain. Moreover, [if Israel fails to perform God’s will,] others’ work will be performed by them, as it is stated: You shall serve your enemy [whom God shall send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness and in want of all things (Deuteronomy 28:48)].

[Summing up this dispute,] Abaye said: [Although there is room for both opinions,] many have acted in accordance with [the opinion of] R. Ishmael, [and combined working for a living and learning Torah,] and [although they engaged in activities other than the study of Torah,] were successful [in their Torah study]. Many have acted in accordance with [the opinion of] R. Simeon ben Yoḥai and were not successful [in their Torah study].