At a time when “sharing the burden” is the central issue of coalition negotiations, it is important to acknowledge that on one major point the Haredim (ultra-Orthodox) are absolutely right: Torah study is the foundation of Israel’s existence and essential for her survival.
- By Zev Davis
- 26 Feb 2013
- 09:23AM
The beknighted rabbi is correct about the Chofez Chaim,but her onlytells half the story. He taught Torah while his wife ran the store. Householders were so concerned that thier sainted rabbi succeedt they only patronised his shop. The good rabbi told his wife to close the store when there was enough in the till and close out, provinidng income for the other stores. Eventually he supported himself by selling his books and tracts and didn't need to to keep the store open. In Bnei Brak ther are shopkeepers that operate on the same principal and if they earned "enoggh" that day to cover expenses, plus the next day also close their shops and study Torah. Then too, there are Haerdim whose special skills are in demand so the point that in spite of their desire to learn Torah, even after they have officially "etired" they find themselves consulting in the fireld of their expertise, which for them is considered "bitul Torah," forced on them on account of the expertise they gained outside of the Yeshivah world.
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