The Right Focus

By Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas Hatorah (www.bircas.org)

In Parashas Mattos, the tribes of Reuven and Gad ask to settle on the east bank of the Jordan River because it had the kind of land that was ideal for their abundant livestock. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 22:7) says that this request was a sin. It says that there are three gifts granted from Heaven, each of which is like receiving all of the goodness in the world: wisdom, physical strength, and sustenance. The Midrash qualifies this statement, saying that they are equal to all the goodness only if they are from Heaven. If one tries to grab them on his own, Hashem takes them away. The Midrash teaches that Reuven and Gad overvalued their possessions, and this was why they were the first to go into exile.

This midrash is difficult to understand. Aren’t all gifts from Heaven? Can anyone grab a gift from Heaven against Hashem’s will?

Rav Reuven Fine says that this refers to the perspective of the recipient. Every blessing we receive is undeniably from Hashem. However, we must relate to it as such. If we don’t see it as a gift, it will be lost in the end. In other words, when we constantly remind ourselves that the only source of sustenance is Heaven for the purpose of our Torah and mitzvos, we will view this money as a gift and its use will be blessed. If not, our acquisition of money becomes nothing more than “grabbing” to satisfy our desires. Such money has no blessing, and it is eventually taken away.

Rav Yechezkel Levenstein says that a person also “grabs” when he overexerts himself to receive his sustenance. Since it is a gift from Heaven, Hashem expects a person to invest a normal amount of effort, but not more. More effort may seem to produce more wealth, but this money does not last. Worse, Rav Levenstein says, it lowers one’s spiritual level. The “grabber” becomes so attached to his money that his devotion to Torah and mitzvos diminishes, and he is eventually led to sin. Conversely, if one does the proper amount of effort, he will receive the sustenance that he needs as a gift from Hashem! His money will help to bring him spiritual and physical blessing.

Rav Aharon Kotler points out that this midrash has a practical lesson for those who choose a life of Torah. The tribes of Gad and Reuven seemed to be making a reasonable, even idealistic request. They wanted land suited to their flocks so they would be well sustained and have more time to learn Torah. Furthermore, they were not forsaking Eretz Yisrael entirely, as eiver haYarden (the other side of the Jordan River) is considered within the country’s halachic borders. And yet, the Midrash indicates that these tribes committed a sin.

Rav Kotler explains that though eiver haYarden is within Eretz Yisrael, it has less holiness than the rest of the land. The sin of these tribes was relinquishing a small amount of holiness for the sake of their sustenance. We must not sacrifice any aspect of our spirituality for any material gain, even if the trade-off seems to profit our spirituality in the long run.

Rav Kotler notes that this is a common trap. People often curtail their learning in an effort to work more. Some bnei Torah decide to leave Eretz Yisrael or places of Torah in order to improve their earning potential. Hashem doesn’t want this from us! Service of Hashem is our primary purpose, and working for money is secondary. Rav Kotler says that just as the tribes of Reuven and Gad were exiled and lost their property, those who give up any spirituality for material gain will eventually see that their efforts were in vain.

Even when we are making Torah and mitzvos the main focus of our life, it may be difficult to ascertain whether we are exerting too much effort for our livelihood. It is important to periodically discuss our situation with a rebbe who knows us personally to ensure that the proper balance is maintained. Otherwise, we may become “grabbers” without even realizing it.

Rav Kotler would say that keeping focused is especially important when yeshivah is not in session. The need to refresh ourselves is critical to maintaining our learning in the long run, but there is a danger of becoming overly involved in recreational pursuits. We must endeavor to make Torah and mitzvos our main focus even when on vacation, by having a set time for learning and guarding against any lapse in mitzvah observance.

My father engaged in minimal effort for his sustenance. When he came to Eretz Yisrael, he became a sofer (scribe), but he engaged in this trade for only a few hours daily. He spent most of his time learning, davening, and working on himself rigorously. He was afraid to do anything more than a minimal amount of hishtadlus, fearing that it would detract from his learning and service of Hashem. Even when offered a chance to earn considerably more by putting in a bit more time each day, he refused the opportunity.

In his mid-sixties, he stopped working entirely. He made this decision without a solid pension plan to rely on. In fact, I don’t know how he made ends meet after that. I do recall his explanation: “I’m getting older! When will I have a chance to really learn?”

May we be zocheh to make service of Hashem our main focus!

NEW! HOT OFF THE PRESS! Rabbi Krieger’s “Gedolei Yisroel on the Parashah & Yamim Tovim” is now available from the Yeshiva office, Jewish bookstores worldwide and can be ordered online at https://www.feldheim.com/gedolei-yisroel-on-parashah-yamim-tovim-2.