In Pirkei Avot (4,5) we learn a fundamental Torah law that governs the process of learning and teaching the Torah: “Rabbi Tzadok says ... do not turn the Torah into a crown to make yourself look great with, and not into a tool to earn your living with. And this is what Hillel used to say: He who uses the crown of Torah will perish. From here you learn that anyone who derives a personal gain from the words of Torah removes his life from the world.”
I often wonder why the tittle “Rabbi” is used nowadays predominantly by those who do earn their living from the words of the Torah. Aren’t Rabbis supposed to lead by example?
The Mishnah makes it very clear that no one is permitted to derive any physical benefit from being a scholar in the study of Torah. It goes further, with a severe warning, that anyone who violates this law will perish from the world.
In today’s environment the immediate question that comes to mind is: Who is going to teach Torah if he cannot get paid for it? How is a teacher of Torah going to earn his living without violating this law?
In Tehillim (128, 2) we learn: “If you eat the fruit of the work of your hands you will be happy and good will come to you. ” Chapter 128 continues and enumerates additional personal and family blessings for anyone who follows this law.
Obviously the Torah wants every Jew to earn his living from materialistic work in the physical universe. Again, the same question arises, how about the teacher of Torah?
Several years ago, when we lived in a small city in the West, I participated in a Gemara class given by a graduate (not a Rabbi) of a very famous Yeshiva in New York. He earned his living as an insurance agent, and in his free time he taught Gemara.
We offered to pay him for his time and he was offended. He would not even accept a gift from his students. He made it very clear to us that every Jew has an obligation to devote time to Torah activity and it makes no difference whether one learns for himself, or teaches, or performs deeds of kindness to others. Monetary compensation, in all cases, is absolutely prohibited. Besides, he did not pay for receiving the Torah from his teachers, how could he now accept payment for passing it on to others?
This Gemara study group was one of the most exciting Torah classes I have ever been part of. It drew participants that would not attend any of the classes given by the (paid) Rabbis in town, and we felt like we are getting the Torah for real. For many of us it was the first experience of studying Torah that is not a commodity in trade.
How would you like to take driving lessons from someone who does not follow traffic rules?
How would you like to have an accountant who “cooks the books” for his personal benefit?
How would you like to be treated by a physician who does not keep his instruments clean and sterile?
Now, similarly, why do our children have to learn practically all of their Torah from Rabbis and teachers who do not follow the advice of the Torah they teach? Yes, I know about the various permissions invented by (paid) Rabbis to allow teachers and Kollel students to also get paid for their Torah. If you want to know what the Rambam has to say about it, see Sefer Mada, Hilchot Talmud Torah, Ch.3:10.
The Tanaim and Amoraim - the scholars of the Mishnah and Gemara - had their own businesses. The Rambam worked as a doctor. Rashi was a merchant and never accepted payment for his Rabbinical services. The Radomske Rebbe had real-estate investments. They did not get paid for their Torah. Today, on the other hand, how many Rabbanim do we know who did not turn the Torah into their commodity in trade?
In every generation there are 36 Tzadikim on whom the survival of this world depends. We don’t necessarily know who they are, but one thing we know for sure - every one of them earns his living from materialistic work. None of them can be a paid Rabbi.
One of the very few topics on which all the Rabbis agree is the Torah law that requires every Jew to devote a significant portion of every day to Torah activity. Learning Torah, teaching Torah, and deeds of love and kindness to others, all qualify. Anyone who follows this law would not have any difficulty with the question of how is a Torah teacher going to earn his living. He will work for a living like everyone else does, and in that segment of time dedicated to Torah activity he will perform one of the highest forms of love and kindness -- teach Torah to Jewish boys and girls.
I have never accepted payment for teaching Torah. Neither did my wife ever accept payment for teaching Torah to women or taking women to the Mikvah.
In the early days of Jewish life there was no shortage of teachers who enjoyed teaching the Torah, without pay, to anyone who wanted to learn. They did it because they wanted to, and they enjoyed the pleasure of passing on the torch they received from their Rabbis to the next generation.
Does anyone know of a Yeshiva today in which the Rabbis and teachers follow the Torah law that governs the teaching of Torah? If you do, please let me know. My children are looking for one.
