I received an e-mail informing me that Agudath Israel of America has designated tomorrow as a day of prayer, protesting the plan in Israel to decrease welfare and enforce a standard school curriculum. I have trouble as a registered Republican, currently working hard during busy season and negotiating to take off two of the busiest days of the year for Yom Tov, while my children currently study for NY State mandated regents exams, to understand exactly what I am supposed to pray for.
When I told my rebbe that I was leaving kollel to support my growing family, he quoted me the following Gemara (Berakhos 8a):
גדול הנהנה מיגיע כפיו מירא שמים… שנאמר יגיע כפיך כי תאכל אשריך וטוב לך. אשריך בעולם הזה וטוב לך לעולם הבא
R. Chiyya b. Ammi further said in the name of Ulla: A man who benefits from his own labor is greater than the one who fears heaven… As it says: “When you eat the labor of your hands, you will be happy, and it shall be good for you” (Tehillim 128:2). “You will be happy,” in this world, “and it shall be good for you,” in the world to come.
If believing this makes me Modern Orthodox, I’m happy (in this world and the next) to be with many others.
(PS This does not make me a Chareidi basher. It makes me, at most, a non-Chareidi. Learn the difference.)
